Dynavector XV-1s vs. Transfiguration Temper w

Heard the XV-1t vs a Transfiguration Orpheus on the same table (different arms though).

The DV was extremely accurate, to the point that if you put on a bad album it sounded truly bad.

The Orpheus was warmer with more bottom end. It was far more musical to my ears and filled in sounding with just as much transparency and detail as the DV.

I own an old Temper myself and have had lower end DV's (20XH and XX1) in my system. Transfiguration and DV both have a somewhat similar house sound, so if you like one you will probably like the other. I just find the new DV's to be somewhat leaner than the old DV's and the Transfiguration to be more musical and enjoyable overall.

YMMV

BTW - there was another poster on this forum who recently replaced a Temper with the Phoenix (since you can no longer get an Orpheus). I believe he was saying that the new Phoenix bested his older Temper in some regards. Perhaps he will chime in here.

I agree. The XV1s and XV1t are not slow. In fact, I would hardly call anything at that price point slow, not even the upper end Koetsu's.

However, when you hit these points it is more a matter of balance and flavor within your system. To me, the XV1 is overly neutral. For my money I want something much more musically enjoyable (I do have a very resolving system) and I find Transfiguration to fit that bill.

To go farther astray the ZYX and Ortophons tend to be farther to the lean side of the XV1 IMO.