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Graham Phantom DV XV-1s setup question

I took the plunge and moved from a DV XX2 MkII to the DV XV-1s :-) My TT is the TW Raven One. I have been playing around with the setup and currently have the loading at 100ohms, VTF 1.87gram, no anti-skate and no damping fluid.

After doing some searches read about the 2.5 tracking force option. I tried it at 2.20 grams for a couple of days and briefly at 2.50grams and it seemed to kill the dynamics. What I am experiencing now is slight thin/bright sound on some recordings, not what most people report as the character of this cartridge. Moving the VTF seems to kill the dynamics.

I've only had it now for 3 weeks, 20-30 hours. Is this the breakin character of the cartridge? is anyone using the damping fluid with this cartridge? how much if you are? Ideas? my phono stage can do 30,100,500,1000,47K.

Thanks!
128x128musichead

Showing 5 responses by musichead

musichead's avatar
musichead OP
94 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. I moved my VTF up to 2.0 grams for now until there are more hours on the cartridge. I previously had it at 1.87grams which was the weight where the highs and lows seem to balance out, any heavier the highs got dampened any lower the highs were over emphasized. This cross over point might change as it breaks in. Sounds a little dull now. Regarding the damping fluid I am going on the advise of my dealer who said to use none with the XV-1s. He states the damping fluid should only be used with a select few cartridges as it effects how well the pivot works. I tried it both ways with my XX2 MkII and preferred it without fluid. Sounds like most people use the damping fluid, so I will need to try it later once the cartridge breaks in.
musichead's avatar
musichead OP
94 posts
 
Thanks Doug, I have taken your advise and moved the VTF down to 1.90grams. Getting every minute out of this baby is important :-) Interesting points you make about the VTF continually changing and dependent on the record as they are not all cut the same. That logic explains what I hear, you either continually adjust or you accept a compromise on some. This level of equipment clearly reveals the micro adjustments. Regarding A/S I compared the minimum with the weight and no weight and preferred the sound with no A/S slightly more dynamic. Not sure but suspect AS and damping fluid for the Phantom II are mechanisms for tweaking sound but compromise the performance of the pivot so there's a trade off???
musichead's avatar
musichead OP
94 posts
 
I think the brightness comes from pivoting on the VTF cross over point and the cartridge not broken in yet. For some recordings it's spot on then another a tad bright. Increase the VTF by 0.03 grams and the bright recording is fine.
musichead's avatar
musichead OP
94 posts
 
Doug, interesting I wonder if I can take this idea further and state that the game with the XV-1s is to minimize pressure on the cantilever to maximize the vibration rather than the efficiency of the tracking the needle. In other words the cartridge will track perfectly say within 1.80 and 2.00grams (depending on the TT) and the fine tuning objective is to maximize vibration. The XV-1s is an amazing tracker, not sure why, but I noticed it immediately when I first installed it.

BTW, I ordered a MintLP last week :-)
musichead's avatar
musichead OP
94 posts
 
Quick update, my MintLP arrived last week and went through the process of aligning the cartridge. Shocked to find out the Graham tools aren't 100% accurate. Had to adjust the placement of the arm slightly as well as the cartridge. Everything snapped into place sonically. With a more correct alignment the VTF and Azimuth adjustments were a snap and sonically very obvious. I was surprised how much the Azimuth impacted the sound. The XV-1s is stunning!
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