Almost Time to Replace My DV-20xl

somewhat close, but you do get what you pay for.
I heard the best line about cartridges the other day...buy the best cartridge you can stretch for. so many people buy lesser cartridges and then try to resell or whatev, and lose big money. so if you're going for it, do it big!

Stickman, stick to your guns....there's a bit of bad advice up above...those cartridges will not mistrack if set up correctly...megatracking cheap cartridge? I don't even know what that means...
Your arm is a keeper, and those cartridges will really show it to you like you've never heard it before.
Full steam ahead....and watch out for a few wet logs..

hi jd..I actually have the tracks you mention, though I don't have the arm, so sorry, can't do your specific experiment. I've seen and heard the cartridges you mention never mistrack as you speak of, that's why I was "spouting", doesn't matter to me who your dealer is.
But I will take huge exception to you saying the AT is all one could ever want. You need to get those ears out more. Good luck to you.

Hi jd
First off, no spouting. I've just never experienced what you have with stated cartridges.
Second, I think you're giving the initial OP some very biased and not well founded advice.
If you could hear his arm together with the cartridges he's asking about, you might be posting differently.
I have no aversion to the AT, I've had them starting out, just like grado's etc. They're definitely a good place to start.
However, the OP is way past that at this point.

Very fair response. I would only say, although that ship has obviously sailed for you, is that you were not getting proper setup. I know that will set off more red flags for you, but that's the truth.
I'm glad you found something that works for you.
And it sounds like the OP will as well.
End of story for me.

Oh me.
Not to offend anyone involved, but, not all dealers are experts at setup, whether they've been doing it for 1 or 30.

Your last sentence is fine for you- but not for a lot of us.
Like saying you should start off with a yugo till you've driven for years.
I wish I had had better gear when I had first started, and like I keep repeating, the Original Poster is way beyond that.

Life is too short to drink cheap beer--same goes for hifi!
Now I'm done....

ah, I see...the ol "build your house upon a rock, and you will be a beacon of light to many"....I'd say ask for a better architect/engineer!

also, it seems, like in much of life, ignorance is bliss...

Thanks, Goatwuss....truth always wins out.
and agreed, for the original question, if he can afford it, the XV-1S is one of the great cartridges, and more importantly, as you have found out in your situation, it is a very synergistic combination!
I guess question to you, GW, is, why didn't you just change arms? I had a VPI at one time, but not their arm.
take care

glad to hear that...now you're starting to make sense! lol
and after all, remember, i did like your music choices...

not sure about the last part, though...never been a fan of the range rover...too pretentious...at least in my neck of the woods, where people who drive them don't need them, only as a fashion accessory...i usually mix my metaphors anyway, so best to avoid.

if you ever get upgrade itis let me know...it's not so bad if done right! :)