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MYSTERY DYNAVECTOR KARAT 23R

I got this MC a few years ago, NOS, and just mounted it. I can't really identify it.

•   It doesn't have a badge on the side saying "KARAT 23R" like all the pics on Vinyl Engine.
•   It has a small badge on one side, only saying "Dynavector".
•   But "KARAT 23R" was written by hand on the box.
•   VE says it has a Diamond cantilever but it's clearly Ruby-red, and has the triangular cross-section.
•   VE says it has a "super elliptical" stylus, but under a 30X scope it looks VERY thin and has parallel sides. It looks almost identical, at 30X, to the Shure Micro-Ridge on my V15-V. 

Can anyone tell me what I have?  

Also, I got a Dyna 20B Type 2 High-Output MC at the same time, also NOS. Any opinions on it? I've only heard a couple of Hi-Output MCs I like... but haven't tried many. Nor this one yet.
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chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Vinyl Engine is the worst source to ID specs for vintage cartridges, 50% of the cartridges on their site listed with wrong specs unless there are downloadable manual. 

"R" is for Ruby
"D" is for Diamond 

You will find more in my thread about Dynavector cartridges. 
There are several version of 23 Ruby with Elliptical and LineContact styli, depends on exact model, the best is DV 23RS MR - this one has Micro Reach stylus. 


jperry
2,454 posts
 
Not really a mystery, as Chakster points out. I used to have one as well. The 23 refers to the length of the cantilever. The 17D with a diamond cantilever had an even shorter cantilever (17 as opposed to 23)

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/review-dynavector-karat-23-r-cartridge
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
I have the same Karat Ruby. And a Dynavector 20A. The A stands for an aluminum cantilever. Your 20B has a beryllium cantilever. That type I owned back in 1978. I used it briefly before buying a lomc. 
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