Pickering XV-15 cartridge fans and users, spout for a while!

[432HzBob]

Xsv 3000 is a MM when XV-15 is a MI
AG.

Thanks AG.. I mean Dr Fauchi for the dead-end "facts"..
Thanks for stating the obvious Capt. obvious.
... But What the hell difference does that make in sound through a preamp, amp and speakers does that make?
Is the :science settled"
Mi vs MM vs MC
Not to start a **** storm here but I wanted an actual sound diffenrence between the XV and XSV,

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Thanks AG.. I mean Dr Fauchi for the dead-end "facts"..
Thanks for stating the obvious Capt. obvious.
... But What the hell difference does that make in sound through a preamp, amp and speakers does that make?
Is the :science settled"
Mi vs MM vs MC
Not to start a **** storm here but I wanted an actual sound diffenrence between the XV and XSV,

My two cents- My experience is limited to running factory stylii only. The XV is great for rock. Has a bit of a upper-bass, low-mid bump, keeps things thick. The XSV is a bit more open.

YMMV

 

[432HzBob]

My two cents- My experience is limited to running factory stylii only. The XV is great for rock. Has a bit of a upper-bass, low-mid bump, keeps things thick. The XSV is a bit more open.

YMMV

Thanks cool
XSV's are sizzly at times. It;s only flaw as i can tell.
The rest is near-perfect.
Grado's sometimes be too layed back, lacking punch or definition
maybe a XSV cros'd with any Grado cart + 8mz? that would be a sound

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Thanks cool
XSV's are sizzly at times. It;s only flaw as i can tell.
The rest is near-perfect.
Grado's sometimes be too layed back, lacking punch or definition
maybe a XSV cros'd with any Grado cart + 8mz? that would be a sound

Sizzly? Never encountered that.

Don’t understand the last part of your statement.

 

[Andre Garcia]

There is a difference between then of course, but will depende of your calibration skills and hearing. MI are between MM and MC.
personally I prefer MI, and adjusting it properly the sound is deep and clear.
MM are good in sound but IMO doesn't need too much adjustment to make it sound good, so is like measuring in inches when using MI you are measuring in fraction and probably MC in thou.
AG.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Thanks cool
XSV's are sizzly at times. It;s only flaw as i can tell.
The rest is near-perfect.
Grado's sometimes be too layed back, lacking punch or definition
maybe a XSV cros'd with any Grado cart + 8mz? that would be a sound

Pickering and Stanton on the XSV/881 offered far superior high end styli and performance to any Grado, and I like Grados. A NOS Stereohedron II beats a 8MZ.

 

[dfinn]

Still really enjoying my 680EE + 4606-DEX but I noticed tonight that it seems to be more sensitive to surface noise and scratches than the AT VM95E that it replaced. I listened to a record that is kind of beat up and I thought it sounded pretty good with the VM95E but with the 680EE I was hearing ALL the surface noise. On my vinyl that's in better shape it sounds amazing. I haven't been doing this that long and I haven't had the chance to listen to many different cartridges but I'm wondering if maybe that's just how it works when you start to move into higher end cartridges/stylus?

 

[Creach Dude]

Have the gold tone XV-15 1200E with a NOS D1200 stylus, gives my Grado Platinum a run for it's money. The sound is warm yet still with all the detail intact. I did find running sans the brush was a big improvement, also the added VTF for the brush made setting the anti-skate correctly impossible. Believe me when I say I really wanted to keep the brush installed, but after months of fiddling with the setup I just removed the damn thing and all was good.

Martin

Are the brushes easy to remove?
Thanks,

 

[samii]

Are the brushes easy to remove?
Thanks,

Very simple, they pop off and clip back on very easily. You obviously just have to be a bit careful with the needle that close.

 

[pworm14]

I found one of these in some stuff I got when my dad passed a few years ago. I'm pretty sure he picked it up between '71/'75 when we lived overseas.

Anyhow, I dug it out the other day and mounted it up and it sounds fantastic! Well, at least compared to the AT95e I had on there prior.

I listen to a lot of Steely Dan and hear some nuances in the music that I didn't get with the AT95e. Stage seems a bit wider, highs a bit more pronounced, and the bass a bit tighter.

So far, I like it.

 

[Bobsblkwax]

I found one of these in some stuff I got when my dad passed a few years ago. I'm pretty sure he picked it up between '71/'75 when we lived overseas.

Anyhow, I dug it out the other day and mounted it up and it sounds fantastic! Well, at least compared to the AT95e I had on there prior.

I listen to a lot of Steely Dan and hear some nuances in the music that I didn't get with the AT95e. Stage seems a bit wider, highs a bit more pronounced, and the bass a bit tighter.

So far, I like it.
View attachment 2527547

View attachment 2527548

That was my first real phono cartridge. Put it on a Dual 1218 back in the day. Solid performer.

 

[frothy]

16 pages...3 coffees...so much good info, you can't skip a page because you don't know what you'll miss. First off didn't realize Stanton and Pickering are one company. I'm running a Stanton 881S with the D81S stylus( high comp).on one deck and the Pickering XV-15/625E (med comp.) on the deck beside it, both running out of Audio Alchemy dual phono stage. I was surprised at the similarities in presentation between the 2 set-ups and now I have a bit better understanding of why.
Both decks are Lenco motor/idler driven, one a production deck (L-70) and the other a DIY (PTP) build.








Both these vintage carts are superlative performers in their respective set-ups and give nothing away to some of the other carts I've run...the L-70 arm loves the Pickering XV15/625E , match made in heaven. I will say if the LP on the L70 sounds a bit bright, the PTP with Stanton removes that sharp edge, warms it up a bit
if that makes sense, yet doesn't take anything else from the presentation of music.
Gotta run, more to come, Ciao for now

 

[needforspeed]

XV15/1200 with Jico stylus, My daily driver for years, No complaints