Changing from an XV1-S

I can 2nd Mike's view on the A90. I have both XV-1 and the A90. The A90 has better transparency coupled with more refined upper frquencies. The bass is tighter than the XV-1.
If you prefer the upper frequency sparkle or lift that a lot of MC's have, the A90 does not have that as it is very balanced.
the A90 tells you more about your system.

the XV-1 is still a very nice cartridge.

Thom / Audiofell

What you say is very valid and worthwhile advise. But I don't think the poser is saying the XV-1s is a weak link.

Us users tend to answer on what he asks for and not what he may necessarily needs.

Upgrading his turntable will cost considerbly more than the price of a new cartridge, and considering it is a VPI classic, no doubt it is quite new.

like a lot of us audiophiles, after a while we hanker for a change or something different - hopefully better at the same time.

as they say, a change is as good as a holiday :-)

cheers

Now where is Raul to add his MM spice to this conversation!! sorry my bad :-)

I own the XV-1, A90 and a Technics EPCP100Mk4 MM cartridge as well as a number of other MM's amd MC's. The 25 year+ old technics is in no way inferior to either MC cartridge, nor is it better.

None of these are new technology (outside of the A90's very advanced SLM body) but all are refinements of the manufacturers designs.

I believe the poser will be happiest with the A90 within his search criteria. It is more transparent than the XV-1 and has the uncanny knack of being more pure sounding, if your system is indeed up to it. The XV-1 has a consistency of sound that is great as well.

The A90 is in the almost unqique position of being competitive with ANY competitors best cartridge and is cheaper than the majority of them. still a lot of money thou.

But what do I know, I prefer in most respects my 30 year old DD table to my TW raven AC-3.

Funny, almost everyone who hears an A90, ends up buying one. It is so different to normal MC's IMO

DC, I guess you bought an A90?

I have spent 9 nmonths listening to the A90 and 9 years listening to the XV-1.

The A90 is the better cartridge overall. It is more pure, less sound of its own and sounds musically more coherent top to bottom. The XV-1 has a looser bigger bass and clearly more sparkle in the top end in direct comparison.

Bill, better is of course subjective. better in my system certainly.

better in every system, probably not.

Hi Raul

I bought an XV-1s a few years back and owned it for 6 months and preferred the sound of the XV-1, so I sold the XV-1s to a fiend of mine and bought another XV-1.

I have not indicated the XV-1 having any bass problems, in fact the just opposite. the comparison is v the A90 and not an absolute statement.
the XV-1 bass is looser and slight bigger than the A90. On some music that is welcome, on some not so much.

That is one of the joys of having multiple tables/cartridge as there is no cartridge that does it all.

XV-1t - I would luv to hear one, but way too many $$$ for me.

cheers