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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
harold-not-the-barrel
895 posts
 
I´m glad that also Dover keeps bravely carrying the torch. Actually I was waiting for his entrance. He has that mighty Karat Nova 13D you see.

" ... ultimately each design they can only be described in the context of the environment in which they are placed..."
Exactly. TAs in particular and TTs/decks plays another key role, addition to phono preamps. Decca, Dynavector, Soundsmith, Ikeda , Audio-Technica etc have a different approach to the questing we are asking for. The finest there are but all different.
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 

The problem of ''wholes and parts'' is obviously where to put

the border line and prevent this way the inclusion of the whole

universe (grin). However why should extension of cartridge

''subject'' include ''only'' the tonearm , TT and phono-pre?

I, for example, still consider speakers as the most important

''part'' of the whole (''system'') while avoiding or overlooking the

 most important part is obviously ''strange''. The case is, as I see

 this, that we assume implicit knowledge by others. This help to

keep the amount of our explicit statements in check. Otherwise

we will get ''endless'' Mexican stories (grin).

The other problem is the assumed ''difference'' between (MC)

carts. The usual assumption is that the whole construction is

''simple'' and nearly as old as its invention (by Ortofon?).

This problem is connected with our desire to see and describe

differences among ,uh, ''identical ''. ''The same construction''

imply some kind of ''indiscernibles''. The real problem is

''exaggeration'' of assumed differences. The so called

''marginal value addition'' suggest the ''same'' problem.



lewm
13,182 posts
 
Dover, Thank you for correcting me.  But we are talking about two different things.  However, I do take your point; there is a "cantilever" upstream from the coils.  What I do not appreciate is your inability to make a point without also throwing in an insult.  If you knew me better, you might find that I am not in fact stupid.
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
The ''revolutionary'' Art 1000 was already invented by JVC in
the 80is(?). The only difference was/is that JVC used on silicon
printed coils glued on the cantilever just behind the stylus. The
 (thin) wire from the  coils are glued ''upstream'' on the cantilever
 and connected to the 4 ''output'' connectors.
 My sample MC1(?) had an broken wire by the connection 
between aluminum ''print'' and (copper) wire . Chakster got this sample as present form me and can better describe the details.
My description is from my memory.
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
After release of the $5k ART-1000 the price for Victor MC-L1000 jumped to the stratosphere. This MC-L1000 was an inspiration for the Audio-Technica designer.

Those cartridges with printed coil is very fragile and 90% of them have some problems with output, normally one channel is dead or even both.

The Victor MC-1 was the first Victor Direct Coupled cartridge and i bought a few samples, one of them has arrived, but one channel is dead. I also got my free broken sample from Nikola. I am waiting for the 3-rd sample, fingers crossed.

SoundSmith reported this upon my request: "It is typically nearly impossible to repair the foil conductors on these. It depends where the failure is."

Many years ago my virtual friend discovered a bunch of NOS MC-1 dead stock on Grand Canaria island at some old vinyl shop. At that time i was fascinated by my AT ART-2000 and refused to buy NOS Victor MC-1 from him, the price was acually very low, i regret it now (when all of his stock sold out).  





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