2. analog
  3. 136468-5377

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
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
2,482 posts
 
That's funny, Pani
An average carts does not comes with Diamond Cantilevers
pani
1,049 posts
 
I mean average sounding cart! IMO it sounds like a $500-$700 cartridge.
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
2,482 posts
 
Let’s wain till @lewm will check them out, because i do not have the ART-7 or ART-9 to compare and why should i concern about those ATs? You sold yours as far as i know, so the flavour of the month faded away.

I like $500-700 cartridges (or let’s say under $1200 max), some of them are amazing and this is the right price tag for "normal" audiophiles. I am more happy to buy $700 cartridge every 3 month while i am searching for perfection, than spending $3k on the wrong LOMC once and then another 60% of that price for retip.

In fact Stanton CS-100 WOS and Pioneer PC-1000 mkII moving magnet cartridges are so good in my system than i can’t remove them. Still unbeatable by any expensive LOMC imo.

Lats night i have mounted DV 23RS MR (special calibrated with Micro Ridge stylus) and i was blown away, i was sceptical about it, but this cartridge is so fast, so dynamic, so real. It’s easily compete with FR-7f, but DV 23RS MR is mid-high compliance (at least 26cu @10Hz) and low mass cartridge for lighweigh tonearms (i would recommend for Technics tonearms).

I am happy to join Dynavector fan club.

P.S. My buddy @nandrik should try those Dyna, highly recommended
nandric's avatar
nandric
3,263 posts
 

Dear chakster, Your (rich) buddy Nandric recently purchased

Allaerts MC 2 + Ikeda 9TT. He is now an poor ''buddy'' swearing

not to buy any cart whatever. However promises to our self

we usually neglect. But instead of those (very) short DV cantilevers

I also own Ikeda 9 C which is without cantilever . To me as good

as my beloved FR-7 fz. The only one which can seduce me is

the 9 REX. Alas nowhere to find.


chakster's avatar
chakster OP
2,482 posts
 
Here is a nice interview with Dr Tominari of Dynavector Systems, who designed the first gemstone cantilever cartridge and later designed fabulous XV-1 and DRT XV-1. In this interview you will find more about Te-Kaitora cartridges, Karat Nova series and many more amazing products of that era.

here is a bit from the interview:

RG. The first Dynavector product I became aware of was the original Karat cartridge, with its solid ruby cantilever. Were you the first person to employ gemstone cantilevers?

Dr. Tominari: Absolutely. I get my gemstone cantilevers from Namiki, and the first time I asked them about constructing one they couldn’t understand what I wanted such a large stylus for! But I was convinced that you should use as short and stiff a cantilever as possible. This was quite widely recognised but no one believed that the technology existed to create such a short gemstone cantilever. They thought it was impossible but I dared to try it. It was a very unusual solution at that time. In order to achieve it we had to develop a parallel technique that enabled us to wind incredibly fine wire for the coil. Our wires are only 11 microns in diameter. Every other cartridge uses at least 20 microns.

RG. Why do the fine wires help you use in using a short cantilever?

Dr. Tominari: At the end of the cantilever is the armature. On the very short gemstone cantilevers there is no space, so the armature must be much smaller than normal. Unless we use the fine wire for the coils there will be insufficient windings for a working output level. We did this twenty years ago, and are still the only company who can use such fine wire. Eric Rohmann, who was president of Ortofon until some years ago, even tried to buy one of our machines. Incidentally, you are aware that Ortofon and Grado hold all the patents on moving-coil cartridge designs. Dynavector was the only Japanese company that ever paid the licence fees. (Laughs)



More to discover