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Dynavector cartridges, old and new

For more than 40 years Dynavector has been producing very high quality moving coil cartridges in Japan. Sadly we don't have a dedicated Dynavector thread here on audiogon. It would be nice to collect info about some nice rare models in one topic. 


My first Dynavector was high output model, very attractive headshell integrated as one piece - Dynavector DV-30A was released in Japan 1 year before the Karat series and 4 years before the fabulous Karat Nova. The first high output Moving Coil Dynavector DV-30 series was the next generation of the Ultimo cartridges. The Ultimo’s were manufactured by Onlife Research Inc., which later became Dynavector. The 30-series was introduced in 1978 with 3 different models DV-30A & DV-30B (HOMC) and DV-30C (LOMC). Till the early 80s it was top of the line Dynavector models.... 

But then the KARAT was released with short Ruby and Diamond cantilevers (depends on the model). I've been looking for KARAT for a long time, i found the Dynavector KARAT 23RS special calibrated version with Micro Ridge stylus tip and prism Ruby cantilever. This particular model has been introduced in 1988 and claimed to be superior to the earlier generation of Karat carts. I'd like to seek more info about this rare cartridge, but very little info available online. Anyone can comment on Karat Ruby 23RS mkI (not mkII) ?  

I know some mebers are enjoing the more expensive Karat Nova series, XV-1, XX-2, Te Kaitora Rua etc 

Modern Dynavector site is: http://www.dynavector.com/ 

But the rare models can be found here. 
 

  
128x128chakster

Showing 5 responses by bimasta

bimasta's avatar
bimasta
158 posts
 
Andy Kim might know more; he retips cartridges, based in Seattle. I called him about a Koetsu Rosewood and Accuphase AC2. He was courteous and businesslike, but when I mentioned my 23R Karat, his entire tone changed — “Wow, you have a 23 Ruby? That’s a great cartridge.” Seems he’s a Dynavector fan, can’t hurt to drop him a line.

I’m scant on details about mine. Chakster knows far more than I, yet even he has some blank areas. It was NOS, I’ve put only ±30 hours on it. Cantilever is the ruby prism, with a line-contact stylus. But “line-contact” seems to be a broad generic term, without the specificity of a branded design, such as VdH. I have two Fidelity Research models, both called line-contact, but the Dyna is very different, much skinnier — the shank is as thin as the Shure Micro-Ridge. Could it be the Micro-Reach, without saying so?

The packaging is unclear; I think Dyna made many small changes but put them in older existing boxes with no change to the text. The 23R body clarifies little, it only has a tiny plaque on one side saying Dynavector, no “Karat” plaque as I’ve seen on some others. Could mean it’s an early model — or they ran out Karat plaques.

I hope someone can shed a little more light. All I know is that I share much of Andy’s enthusiasm...


bimasta's avatar
bimasta
158 posts
 
"What I reject, is the notion that any cartridge that is no longer made, made with this or that exotic material in the cantilever, or has some unusual property or structure (magnet, coil, stylus shape) is therefore to be sought and probably sounds better than anything one can more easily acquire or which is more conventionally constructed."

I'd reject that too — but is that really the premise? Who has the "the notion that any cartridge that is no longer made, or has some..." etc "... probably sounds better..."?

We just don't know. The only way to know is to hear it — it's a mystery and a gamble — but if an obscure and interesting cartridge shows up and ante is right, I'll take the chance. Some favorite cartridges, and other components, came to me that way.

Forgive my edits and italics; I don't think they don't alter your meaning.


bimasta's avatar
bimasta
158 posts
 
I have a 23 Ruby Karat and the short cantilever has many obvious advantages, which we've covered in this thread. It does have one disadvantage — if there's any warp in the record, the change in SRA as the cartridge moves up and down will be greater with a short cantilever. Not an issue when playing flat (or flattened) LPs...
bimasta's avatar
bimasta
158 posts
 
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bimasta's avatar
bimasta
158 posts
 
I too found the LP12/Ittok 'mediocre'. But I tried the Ittok on other tables (including Oracle Delphi II) and it excelled. The LP12 was the weak partner IMO. I still use an Ittok 25 years later for certain MCs. 
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