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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
 
That´s good news. If the ridge is much more thicker, it may last for 2000 h. I will study this very carefully.
Actually elliptical lasts longer, i.e. maintain its functionality and thus its quality level longer than old Micro-Ridge because it has no ridge that wears out and changes sound quality dramatically. Elliptical loses its quality level more slowly, when correctly adjusted of course.

But old Micro-Ridge lasts a short time (only 500 hours IME). Don´t take my word alone, Peter Ledermann of Soundsmith knows this (and some others too).
harold-not-the-barrel
895 posts
 
Correction to my previous post: I meant Hyperelliptical (not elliptical)
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rauliruegas
13,103 posts
 
Dear @harold-not-the-barrel : Yes, the Karat Nova 13D si very good performer in stand alone fashion to look for the adequated headshell where testing it found out the headshell that mate it better.

Btw, the first diamond cantilever cartridge was made it by Sony and after that AT and Supex.  Then Dynavector and Koetsu and I think Yamaha. It's weird than out of Asia only Ortofon choosed diamond as cantilever in one of its models. At least I can't remember other cartridge manufacturer because VDH, Lyra, Linn, EMT, or Benz Micro did not.

In the other side, that some manufacturers tell us that the stylus tip of their cartridges is good for  over 2k hours is really a misunderstanding because any diamond stylus tip on line contact like shape starts to degrading after 500 humdred hours. That certainly we can't be aware off ( normally. ) it does not says it does not happens and after 1K hours it's time to think in re-tip it .
Yes, some audiophiles can say their cartridges has over 1.5K hours and still performs fine but this is not the issue.

R.
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
6,144 posts
 
Diamond cantilever invented by Dr.Tominari of Dynavector Systems is completely different from any other diamond cantilevers. This is was Tominari-San explained in his interview i’ve posted above. If anyone can add any other cantilever like that please post here.

The shape of this Diamond Prism remind me a bit of the cantilever of the Glanz 71L (but that one was aluminum and longer).

Diamond cantilever of SONY is way too long compared to Dyna
Karat 17D cantilever is 1.7mm long, but the Karat Nova 13D diamond cantilever is only 1.3mm long (extremely short).

I don’t know of any other cartridges with such a short diamond cantilevers. Anyone?
harold-not-the-barrel
895 posts
 
Didn´t I tell you : )
Raul, when old Micro-Ridge starts to lose its ridge (when it wears out) that immediately affects on sound quality: it first gradually and soon rapidly looses nuances (accuracy) and dynamics (power), i.g. sound becomes lame and that can be heard easily, IME since mid 80´s. At 600 point there´s nothing left what Micro-Ridge´s superiority initially was all about, and I never went further simply because of stylus tip start to wear the record groove itself really. Today my maximum is that 500 hours (app. 750 LPs). I think all this applies for SAS Micro-Ridge as well ?
If new Dynavector´s Micro-Ridge´s ridge is 4 times thicker than old´s it will last 2000 h. The question is, how tall the new Micro-Ridge really is. Very interesting...
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