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
Texter, doing what you suggested and then reporting on it sounds a lot like work. And I retired four months ago. I am loving every minute of retirement. However I may be curious enough myself to give it a shot. I was staring at my second DV505 tonearm last night and thinking that it would be easy to mount it on the slate plinth where my Lenco with DV505 #1 and ART7 reside.
That was funny, but I think he won´t mind.
Seriously, for me a texter is a writer and what a great writer he is. His approach to cartridges in particular is actually very scientific and usually he is right IMO because he uses his true HQ gear meticulously as tools which they actually are. We are all kinda scientists here but he often explains his opinions in a convincing way, for me at least. All given info and true quality pics is quite astonishing, this speaks only how seriously he takes this strange hobby of ours and carts especially. He is not always 100 % right but he is a serious audiophile because he seems to spend all his time on Hi-Fi. Wish I had that much time ! He seems to be an analog fan and that´s just refreshing in this darn perfect digital world we are now living in.
He has become a significant and one of the most important contributors on vintage cartridges especially on MM kind and also is becoming on MC kind as we can see also in this new thread. Actually he carries the torch Raul used to do some years ago. And as now Raul praises digital as the only true kind it´s very enlightening to read Chakster´s comments on both vintage and modern cartridges here.
Keep ´em coming

I don't think it is good idea to praise chakster to much. He

already  thinks to know everything better. He is actually ''second

Raul'' but we don't need an second Raul. The one we already

have is more than sufficient. Chakster is moving to the more

expensive stuff so we may get some interesting information

from him in the future (grin).