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Dynavector XV-1s What is the REAL story?

I have read the performance parameters required for best sound in this cartridge, by the great HP,which I found interesting and perplexing.I then read,what seems to be a complete about face of HP's findings,by Mr Fremer,in Stereophile.Mr. Fremer does make a valid argument(we're talking tracking force)for correct alignment in the coils,and claims the mfgr's suggested force is the way to go.Makes sense,to me, NOT to stray from what the original designer has recommended!Yet,what do I know?It also seemed that MR Fremer was intentionally making the point,that HP was a bit clueless regarding downforce.

Well,now we have the "new audio pioneer"(I do like the guy,alot)Arthur Salvatore,on his "really fun to follow" web pages,stating that after much experience,with the XV-1s,he has concluded that MR Pearson was RIGHT,in recommending a downforce considerably higher than even the mfgr states.Obviously Mr Fremer would be incorrect.Even though his argument follows the line of ultimate reliability,as well as performance.All in a product costing about 4500 bucks--????

So,my argument is this---"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON"???

We have a very expensive product that has gotten a considerable amount of press,where the supposedly top reviewers in the industry cannot seem to agree on a parameter that will DEFINITELY affect both sonic performance,as well as long term reliability!

They claim that "Newbees" are in short supply,and the industry is shrinking.Hmm,I wonder why!

Do we ALL cancel our subscriptions,to these "once hobbyist oriented" journels?Do we rely on forums like this to garnish the "TRUTH",where there STILL are those who "jump" at the opportunity to tout their Favorite possessions,and put in a good word for their favorite designer/manufacturers?

Or do we start to rely on our own sense of perceptions,which(believe me)really begin to "sharpen up",after you have spent your hard earned cash!!

Any thoughts are always welcome!!
sirspeedy70680e509

Showing 2 responses by thomasheisig

thomasheisig
568 posts
 
When I read that article, I smiled. I smiled, because I thought, he was looking for a "new" King in Town. He also wrote, this is the first real 5 Star cartridge. That was wrong, some time ago he had the first "shoot out" with Lyra Titan, Clearaudio Insider, Miyabi 47 and XV-1 and he raved about the Miyabi in a long article as the first 5 Star cartr. ever.
Now he runs the XV-1s with a weight, no other will do because the other ones will use the manufacturer's recommendation. That's normal, they pay money for.
When he uses that cartridge far out of it's range, why does he not do that with the other ones?
I read TAS for nearly 12 years now, but since they had financial problems and got back, it is not the same anymore. Sometimes I have the impression, HP gets out of bed and thinks:"Well, in what mood I am today?
I need a new favourite". On the other side, he writes about the pain in the ass to adjust that Clearaudio Stuff, that impresses me, because most other avoid to write about unpopular "things".
Would I run Cartridge with much higher tracking force than the manufacturer's recommendation?
Only when I get that one for free.
thomasheisig
568 posts
 
I don't know, is there a "best" cartridge?
Well, some of my impressions, specially for the Titan, one of it's official Importers called it "sharp, that's why we change them all to the Scala Line, they sound more pleasant", or the Transfiguration Line, I like them, one of my friends compared the latest one to his Zyx UNIverse and decided, not to buy the Transfiguration, for him, there was no reason to go for it. Raul is mad for UNIverse, personally I think, there is much worse out there ( I own one ). In my opinion it is much more efficient to share our opinions in the most honest way. Of course there is always one or the other out there, who benefits from the sale of a product and tries to push it with a few audiophile "friends", but that's the way it is.
And, lots of Vinyl masterings have so much "influences", it is also hard to way, what's RIGHT ...
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