Dynavector cartridges, old and new

My first LOMC was a Karat 23 back in 1981 and it opened a whole new world for me. I wore it out and did the factory re-tip program (basically a 50% credit against a new cartridge).  Wore that one out too and got the 23 RS, then later a RS MR.  Life happened while I had that one, and it ended up lasting until I refurbished my entire system back in 2011.  Another factory re-tip brought home a 17 D3.  The process of installing that uncovered a bunch of issues in my Magnepan arm and attempting to repair those uncovered more issues in my table suspension.

After getting a new Graham Phantom and my table rebuilt, I discovered that the Graham didn't have enough adjustability to get the correct tracking force on such a light cart without modification.  That was VERY irritating, especially since I verified the Graham manual stated it had the range needed before plunking down $5K for it.

I tried to work around with Blue Tack and other non-resonant materials to get a decent balance, but none of them seemed to be acoustically neutral and they were all fugly besides.  I can say that the 17 D3 had an extended high frequency range compared to the 23 RS MR.  That was pretty astounding considering the 23 test chart showed essentially flat response to over 100kHz.  Bass was a bit tighter too, but didn't seem as natural.  I chalked that up to the VTF work-arounds.

In the process of yet another mount-dismount cycle trying to get everything just so, I discovered that the 17 D3 cantilever had cracked at the stylus:  A perfect semi-elipse.  Dynavector was very good about it and gave me another 50% re-tip credit, and this time I put it toward an XX2 Mk II.

The extra mass made all the difference with the Graham and finally allowed everything to function as designed, which is magnificently indeed.  The excellent customer service from DV, the natural and uncolored nature of the DV LOMC sound and the superior price-to-performance ratio have made a customer for life here.  One day, I'd like to go to the XV-1S, but that needs other bits to create maximum synergy.  Maybe if I win a lottery...

That's my story anyway.  Hope it gives you some detail you find useful.  Happy listening!

FWIW, there are two DV sites:  Japan and the US distributor.  US link here:  http://www.dynavector-usa.com/dynavector_dynavector.html.  The 17D3, TKR and others are all still available from the US operation although some may be NOS.  I've found them very helpful and responsive over the years.  Mike Pranko there might be a good source for background on some of the finer points of DV history.

As I recall, the Karat 23 was the first iteration and always had a ruby cantilever and silver body, followed by 23R, 23RS and finally MR 23RS (I think that's how the nomenclature on the label went).  The MR was the micro ridge edition.  The Karat 17 was presented in a gold tone body with the diamond cantilever.  I believe it went 17, 17D, 17D2 to the present 17D3.  I loved my 23s and was disappointed I couldn't readily achieve the results I expected with the 17.  I was very enamored of the short gemstone cantilever design.

That said, things change and the XX2 I have now is definitely a superior product to the 23 or 17.