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Has anyone compared these two cartridges? I am planning to pick one of the two for my next upgrade. Any thoughts? Thanks.
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Is anyone successful using the Dynavector XV-1s on the Graham 2.2 tonearm? Thanks for all the opinions.
I believe it will work fine, as long as you have the appropriate counterweight. The dynavector works briiliantly with my unipivot JME and Naim ARO arm's, so I doubt if the graham would be any different.
Check with Graham directly to see if they have ever had any compatibily issues.
The LP continues the house sound of the Ruby 3. It is a bit better all across the range, with higher resolution - especially in the highs, a deeper soundstage, and better dynamic performance. It is a more involving and realistic sounding cartridge than the XV-1s.These impressions were on a Kuzma Stabi Ref table with Graham 2.2 arm.
I also cannot comment on the LP but will echo Shane's comments. I too owned a Benz Ruby and now own a Dynavector XV-1s. In MY analog system (an SME/30 and Aesthtix Io Signature) the XV-1s not only bettered the Ruby in much the same way Shane describes, it easily bettered a Clearaudio Insider Reference and a Van den Hul Colibri (3 different models) - all on the same table and arm and same associated gear. I know this is simply personal preference and opinion, but it was unanimously shared by all my audio buddies who agreed that my system clearly sounded its best with the Dynavector.I was a Doubting Thomas on the Dyna, but took the plunge with Wally's urging, used his tools to set it up and have been in analog heaven ever since. Color me convinced. Of course, YMMV.
Frank P
Just wondering if you've ever tried the OC9ML/II. Wally also convinced me to get the XV-1, but I prefer the OC9ML/II in my SME V.
Hey John!Been a bit busy so it took a while to get back to you. I haven't tried the OC9ML/II. What did you like better about it? It is considerably less expensive than the Dyna too if I am not mistaken. Maybe I can get one to try.
Hi Frank,Yeah, the OC9ML/II is pretty cheap. You can get one brand new for less than $300. Mine has the most perfectly shaped line-contact stylus I’ve ever observed under a microscope. It also has a boron cantilever and it tracks better than a Shure V15VxMR. Moreover it has less than half the measurable harmonic and IM distortion as the Shure, and less than one forth the harmonic distortion as the XV-1. Unfortunately, I forgot to measure IM distortion on the XV-1 when I had it mounted in my system.
The XV-1, on the other hand, just doesn’t sound as nice in my system as the OC9ML/II. The XV-1 sounds a bit more full and dark with slightly rolled off highs. It also has significant inter-channel phase shift in the upper frequencies. Beginning at 1000-Hz, the channels start to diverge, reaching a phase shift of 90-degrees at 20-kHz. When I play a mono record and flip the mono switch on my preamp, the high frequencies (cymbals) drop down in volume. With the OC9ML/II, there is no audible difference with the mono switch on or off because it has virtually zero inter-channel phase shift.
Thanks John! I have long wondered about this overachiever so now I think you may have convinced me to buy one and try it. I have about 11 (yes, I am insane) old turntables in my closet including a few Thorens, a few Marantzes, a Denon, a JVC and an Empire that I had planned to modify as a fun project until Fedex Ground got a hold of it. Maybe I will try to resurrect it or one of the others. I have a BRAND new RB-250 with Origin Live wire and after market stub counterweight (and a new VPI VTA adjuster) that I had planned to mount on the Empire. Maybe the OC9ML/II would be a great match for it if I can fix it.Heck, maybe I'll just stick it on my SME 30 and let it fly!!
Thanks again for your input!!
I have not heard the benz LP, however I did own the benz ruby. The XV-1 or XV-1s sounded a lot better in my system. Dynavector was more like real music, where the ruby was a little dark and grainy sounding.
I just got the Ruby3H a couple of weeks ago and I would not characterize it as neither dark nor grainy. In my system, it's the most detailed, dynamic, and musical cartridge I have ever heard.The bass is fast, clean, and articulate. The midrange is drop-dead gorgeous, and the highs are well extended, detailed, and natural.
This thing throws a huge and detailed soundstage that seems to go on forever in width and depth.For your reference, the most recent cartridges I have used on my current rig include, Benz H20, Benz Reference, VDH Grasshopper, Adcom/VDH Crosscoil, Grado Reference Platinum, and Technics EPC-305MCMkIII.
Cheers,
Ray
Ray, I had the Ruby 2 low output and it certainly sounded that in comparison to the XV-1 and Lyra helikon.
I believe the benz series 3 is a lot better than the older series.If you get the chance to try out a dynavector cartridge I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Back in the day when I worked in audio, we had a Karat mounted on a VPI. Compared to the other cartridges of the day, I just simply didn't care for it's cold presentation, kind of like a VanDenHul. The grado Siggy of the day, the Koetsu's, Monster, and the Accuphase pretty much slaughtered it. Also, their quality control was piss poor. I'm sure it must be better now since they're still around.
I must admit that I have not had any experience with a Dynavector since then, but I've been quite happy with the sound of the older Benz H20 and Adcom Crosscoil among others, enough not to really care about experimenting. Now the other cartridges are gone. I sold them all for the Ruby3H and I have no regrets. It's the best cartridge I've had the pleasure of hearing, and not nearly the most expensive I've heard!In the end, it's mostly a matter of system matching. I've had the same tonearm and some derivative of a VPI table for over 20 years. I've had electrostatics and 4 generations of Bob Carver designed amplification in the same span of time. So maybe what works for me in my system, may not work for many.
All I know is that now with the Ruby 3H, I can definitely say that it's the best analog rig I've ever had and it is at least the equal of the best analog rig I've ever heard.
No need to screw with near-perfection ;-)
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