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Changing from an XV1-S

Hi All

I'm considering (read hankering) for a new cartridge. I have been using a Dynavector XV1-S for a while now and although it really is good I feel that other manufacturers have overtaken this recently with units that cost a 'tad' less.

It's going on my VPI Classis/ 10.5 and the new Whest PS.30RDT Special Edition/ Conrad Johnson ART MK1/ Levinson 331 Poweramp/ JM Lab Scala Utopia. The general sound from the system is excellent to bloody brilliant BUT having just heard an Ortofon Cadenza Black in the system I am led to believe that the XV1-S technology is 'getting on'.

A friend has recommended the Ortofon A90 or Lyra Titan.
Is there anything else I should look at?

My musical tastes are wide BUT do not include Opera, Classical or choir. I like vocals but love instumentals.

Thanks for your help - if I get any :)

dcarol
stickman451
553 posts
 
Here's another thought and question on the XV-1s; is there such thing as a cartridge that is very, very, close to the XV-1s in sound quality and overall character, but at a more reachable cost? A "poor man's" XV-1s?
ptmconsulting
1,000 posts
 
How about an older Transfiguration Temper? The Trans'fig's are very similar in sound to DV's, and with the Orpheus out in production now you may be able to pick up a Temper at a good price (I did).
larryi
3,732 posts
 
Ptmconsulting,

I liked the Temper/Temper V cartridges, but, they were a bit dynamically dull and polite sounding (some would say "dark") for my taste. The Transfiguration line changed quite a bit toward a punchier sound with the Orpheus and with the cheaper Phoenix. There is not that much talk about the Phoenix, but, for a lot less money, that is a very good, lively cartridge.
jazdoc
364 posts
 
Yesterday, I had a chance to listen to A90 and a Dynavector XV1-S on a high resolution system. The A90 is new (and possibly not completely broken-in). My XV1-S has 2500 +/- 500 hours of use and it not the most recent iteration.

We played a variety of music. Keeping in mine the caveats described above, I preferred the A90 which to my ear did nothing worse and a few things better. The A90 bass was tauter (but not lean) and the performance just seemed a little better integrated, i.e. musicans playing in unison rather than separately.

Both are terrific cartridges. As always YMMV
mikelavigne
2,148 posts
 
on a high resolution system

the arm especially i'll bet. :^)
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