Tradition and Features of Dynavector Phono Cartridges
Tradition of Dynavector Phono Cartridges
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Dynavector's phono cartridges have been highly regarded worldwide since 1978 due to their innovative design philosophy, advanced manufacturing technology, and unwavering commitment to analog reproduction. Despite the advent of new formats such as CDs, SACDs, high-resolution audio, and DSD after the era of analog records, many audiophiles still find digital media lacking compared to analog recordings. Dynavector has continued to refine its unique phono cartridge series even during the peak of digital sources, providing music lovers around the globe with the highest standard of analog playback.
The DV-10X series of high-output phono cartridges, which has been a tradition since 1978, won the Design and Engineering Award at the Chicago CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in both 1978 and 1981. Dynavector's innovative phono cartridges continue to captivate analog users around the world.
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Phono Cartridge
10X5 MkII -
Phono Cartridge
10X5 MkII LOW
Features of Dynavector Phono Cartridges
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Alnico Magnet and Softened Magnetism
The core component of the magnetic circuit in phono cartridges is the magnet. Currently, the magnets commonly used in phono cartridges include neodymium, samarium-cobalt, and alnico magnets. In the design of phono cartridges, high-performance magnets like neodymium are often used to achieve higher output with fewer coil turns and to minimize weight.
However, superior magnets do not always guarantee excellent sound quality. Rare-earth magnets, like neodymium and samarium-cobalt, have exceptionally high magnetic resistance, which can lead to instability in the magnetic field of the air gap (the area where magnetic force converges) in phono cartridges.
Dynavector employs alnico magnets, which have low magnetic resistance and stable air gap fields, in addition to using its patented Softened Magnetism technology to significantly enhance the sound quality of neodymium and samarium-cobalt magnets.
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Flux Damper
Another critical element determining the sound quality of phono cartridges is the magnetic circuit, composed of the front yoke, rear yoke, and pole piece. Dynavector uses a patented Flux Damper technology to stabilize fluctuations in the magnetic force within the magnetic circuit. The front yoke, positioned at the front of the phono cartridge, with the coiled wire and metal ring at its center, reacts instantaneously to minute changes in the magnetic flux and generates counteracting magnetic force to dampen these fluctuations.
The magnetic circuit of Dynavector phono cartridges achieves unparalleled magnetic stability through both Softened Magnetism and Flux Damper technologies, leading to reduced distortion and rich musicality.
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Phono Cartridge
Te Kaitora Rua -
Phono Cartridge
DRT XV-1s
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Special Annealing Magnetic Circuit
Developed in 2024, the special annealing magnetic circuit significantly improves the structure of the phono cartridge's magnetic circuit at both the material and atomic levels. The front yoke, rear yoke, and pole piece of the magnetic circuit are made from high-purity iron with minimal impurities. Furthermore, the purity is enhanced through special magnetic annealing, and the atom-level crystal structure is reconfigured specifically for the phono cartridge.
This new annealing technology, realized in collaboration with specialists in advanced materials, further elevates the performance of the magnetic circuit—a longstanding tradition of Dynavector.
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High Output Moving Coil Cartridge
The Dynavector 10X series is a high-output moving coil cartridges that has been in tradition since 1978. Despite being an MC cartridge, it achieves output voltage comparable to that of MM cartridges, making it attractive for its ease of use without requiring a step-up transformer or head amplifier.
In comparison to typical MM cartridges, the most noticeable structural difference is the magnet. In MM cartridges, magnets are minimized in size to reduce the mass around the vibrating parts (like the cantilever and stylus). In contrast, high-output MC cartridges can use sufficiently large magnets, allowing for a reduction in the number of coil turns. This decrease in coil turns directly lowers internal impedance, which is a significant advantage for sound quality.
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Dispersion Theory and 1.7mm Length Cantilever.
Another tradition of Dynavector phono cartridges is the use of extremely short cantilevers designed based on dispersion theory in the KARAT series. Since 1980, the KARAT series has featured 1.7mm length solid diamond cantilever and is known as a pioneer of jewel cantilevers using materials like diamond and ruby.
In phono cartridges using standard length (approximately 6mm) cantilevers, the resonant frequency of the pickup components (cantilever, stylus tip, coil bobbin) can fall around 20 kHz, affecting high frequencies and harmonic components. In contrast, the KARAT series, with its extremely short cantilever, achieves a resonant frequency above 50 kHz, allowing for more faithful and extended reproduction of high-frequency sounds, including overtones.
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Phono Cartridge
KARAT 17DX
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About Dynavector Products
In addition to the phono cartridge series, all models such as bi-axis inertia controlled tonearm DV507MkII and MC step-up transformer SUP-200 are listed in the Dynavector product list. For more detailed technical information, please refer to technical reports as well.