Dynavector DV/Karat Diamond Moving-Coil Phono Cartridge
Manufacturer's Specifications:
Output Voltage: 0.2 mV at 1 kHz, 5 cm/S.
Frequency Response: 20 to 70,000 Hz.
Separation: 20 dB at 1 kHz.
Channel Balance: 1 dB at 1 kHz.
Stylus: Line Contact (0.1 x 0.1 mm), naked diamond.
Cantilever: 0.4 x 0.4 x 2.5 mm oblique-cut, solid diamond.
Compliance: 15 x 10-5 cm/dyne.
Impedance: D.c. resistance, 30 ohms; inductance, 80 N H.
Tracking Force: 1.5 (+1.0, -0.3) grams.
Vertical Tracking Angle: 20 degrees.
Weight: 5.3 grams.
Price: $1,000.00.
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DV-6A Silver Wire Transformer
Input Impedance: 3 to 40 ohms.
Output Impedance: 9,000 ohms.
Load Resistance: 30 to 47 kilohms.
Step-Up Ratio: 1:13.
Frequency Response: 10 to 70,000 Hz, +0,-1 dB.
Crosstalk: Lower than 75 dB.
Maximum Input: 300 mV (50 Hz).
Distortion: Less than 0.01 percent at 5 mV input.
Switchable Connections: Balanced or unbalanced, pass or 3 to 40 ohm input.
Dimensions: 2.25 in. (5.2 cm) W x 7 5/8 in. (19.1 cm) D x 3 in. (7.5 cm) H.
Price: $450.00.
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For those who will not simply pass out at the thought of a phono cartridge costing a cool $1,000.00 and still needing an outlay of at least another $200.00 before it will interface with a standard phono input, the following report will be of inter est. It is of the Dynavector DV/Karat Diamond cartridge.
The outward appearance of this cartridge is of unusual de sign. The gold-color body shell is made from fiberglass-reinforced polyster which has a metallic-like hardness and low mass. The main body dimensions are 19 mm wide by 10 long, with the stylus assembly being 15 mm long by 8 wide. The overall height is 15 mm, and the mounting centers are the standard 12.5 mm. To mount the cartridge, the mounting screws are inserted through the top of the headshell directly into the threaded mounting holes in the cartridge body. This mounting process makes it easier to mount the cartridge than if the usual screws and nuts are required. The front of the cartridge has an indexing slot for locating the stylus during cueing.
The unique and expensive feature of the DV-Karat Diamond phono cartridge is its cantilever, which is made entirely from a natural octahedron diamond to a size of 0.4 x0.4x2.5 mm. This 2.5 mm long cantilever has its 0.1 square mm stylus mounting hole precision cut by a YAG laser beam machining process. The line-contact shaped 0.1 square mm nude diamond stylus is carefully mounted in the cantilever for the unique stylus-cantilever assembly. The armature for the moving coil is 1 mm square and 0.5 mm thick, upon which are wound 40 turns per channel of 11 micron thick silver wire whose purity is 99.99 percent. The magnets are made from very strong but lightweight rare earth magnetic material.
Just about every cartridge, from moving magnet to moving coil, is designed for as flat a frequency response as possible between 20 Hz and 20 kHz or better. However, no two cartridges sound alike nor does their reproduction of a square wave look alike. These differences are probably caused by the differences in damping material, cantilever material and design, and stylus shape--all within the physical rather than electrical parameters of the cartridge. In recent years there have been many stylus and cantilever designs, but still no change of major importance since the introduction of the Shibata stylus. Currently, Dynavector design engineers have taken another look at the cantilever design, particularly at the wave propagation along the cantilever. To improve the wave propagation problem, the Dynavector engineers have reduced the length of the cantilever to an unprecedented 2.5 mm instead of the usual 5 to 7 mm length and made it entirely from a solid natural diamond. Dynavector claims that the very short cantilever markedly reduces the dispersion of the propagation wave form of the musical signal along the cantilever, leading to a more realistic sound from the modulated grooves of a record. Further, because of the very small size of the cantilever, the resonant frequency is claimed to be higher than 50 kHz. With this design, the usual rubber damping is not necessary, thus ambient temperature has no deleterious effect upon the damping material used. Rubber material is used only for the suspension of the cantilever to overcome its tendency toward upward movement while playing a record--this use is not a damping action.
The Dynavector DV-Karat Diamond is packed in a gold-colored box which contains a frequency response curve plot ted for the individual cartridge as well as the usual mounting hardware.
Measurements
As is our practice, measurements were made on both channels, but only the left channel is reported. During the test period, the ambient temperature was 71 degrees F. (21.67 degrees C) and the relative humidity was 59 percent, ±2 per cent. The DV-Karat Diamond cartridge was mounted in a Technics headshell and used with the Technics EPA-100 tonearm mounted on a Technics SP-10 Mk II turntable. Volt age step-up was made using the DV-6A silver wire, 3 to 40 ohm impedance transformer. Since this transformer was specifically designed for the DV-Karat Diamond cartridge, all measurements and listening tests were made using the DV-6A silver wire transformer. The transformer's frequency response measured-1 dB at 20 Hz, flat from 40 Hz to 20 kHz,-1 dB at 30 kHz, and-3 dB at 50 kHz. The gain of the DV-6A transformer measured 22 dB.
Fig. 1--Response to 1-kHz square wave.
All measurements of the cartridge were made at the recommended vertical tracking force of 1.5 grams. The optimum anti-skating force for this cartridge was found to be 1.8 grams. The cartridge was oriented in the headshell and tonearm for correct lateral alignment with the Dennesen Geometric Soundtracktor, which automatically sets the appropriate overhang for any pivoted tonearm effective length.
Frequency response, using the Columbia STR-170 test record, is-2.25 dB at 40 Hz and then ±0 dB from 60 Hz to 20 kHz (truly ruler flat). This is one of the flattest frequency response measurements we have ever encountered. Frequency response was checked out to 50 kHz, using the JVC TRS 1005 test record, and found to be ±0 dB from 1 kHz to 18.5 kHz, +0.5 dB at 20 kHz, +1.6 dB at 30 kHz, then flattening out at +1.8 dB for 40 kHz and 50 kHz. This is a truly remark able frequency response. Separation is 21.5 dB at 1 kHz, 21.75 dB at 10 kHz, 17.25 dB at 15 kHz, 14.25 dB at 20 kHz, 14.75 dB at 30 kHz, 14.5 dB at 40 kHz, and 13 dB at 50 kHz. This amount of separation is more than adequate for a well-de fined stereo effect on playback.
The response to a 1-kHz square wave shows some over shoot followed by ringing that decayed rapidly. This type of square wave appearance is not uncommon with a moving-coil cartridge that has an extended high-frequency response to 50 kHz. The stylus resonance is around 41 kHz. The cartridge-arm low-frequency resonance was at 10 Hz laterally with an amplitude of about +0.7 dB and about 13 Hz vertically, using the Technics EPA-100 tonearm. Because of the low-frequency resonance, it is suggested that this cartridge be used only in tonearms of medium to low mass.
The following test records were used in making the reported measurements: Shure TTR-103, TTR-109, TTR-110, and TTR-115; Columbia STR-170, STR-100, and STR-112; Deutsches Hi-Fi No. 2; Nippon Columbia Audio Technical Record (PCM) XG-7002, and the Ortofon Direct-Cut Pickup Test Record 0001.
Wt., 5.25 g; tracking force, 1.5 g; opt. anti-skating force, 1.8 g; output, 77 pV/cm/S, with DV-6A transformer, 0.90 mV/ cm/S; IM distortion: (4:1) +9 dB lateral, 200/4000 Hz, 2.2 per cent, +6 dB vertical, 200/4000 Hz, 4.3 percent; crosstalk (using Shure TTR-109), 26 dB; channel balance, better than 0.1 dB; trackability: high freq. (10.8 kHz pulsed), 30 cm/S, mid freq. (1000 + 1500 Hz, lat. cut), 25 cm/S, low freq. (400 + 4000 Hz, lat. cut), 24 cm/S; Deutsches Hi-Fi No. 2 300-Hz test band was tracked cleanly to 86 pm (0.0086 cm), lateral at 16.20 cm/S at +9.60 dB and 43 pm (0.0043 cm), vertical at 8.12 cm/ S at 3.64 dB. The latter measurements are excellent inasmuch as there are very few cartridges that can track the higher 300-Hz bands on the test record.
The DV-Karat Diamond cartridge with its DV-6A silver wire transformer was able to breeze through the Shure Obstacle Course-Era Ill test record. The Shure Obstacle Course-Era IV caused no problem except for band 5 of the harp test, where just a hint of possible mistracking was heard. This cartridge performed exceptionally well, particularly so since only an occasional cartridge can reproduce all the levels of the various bands on these two test records.
Fig. 2--Response of left channel and separation.
Listening and Use Tests
As usual, we performed our listening evaluation both be fore and after measurement. The very first record we played with the DV-Karat Diamond cartridge and the DV-6A transformer combination impressed us with its extraordinary sonic clarity, bass response, transient response, and transparency of sound. Sonically, the cartridge was found to be wholly neutral, adding no coloration nor audible distortion to the reproduced sound. For what it's worth, the DV-Karat Diamond cartridge encountered no difficulty in reproducing the cannon shots on the Telarc 10041 Tchaikovsky: "1812" Over ture, Op. 49 recording and the 19.2-Hz organ pedal in the Franck: Pastorale in E Major as recorded on the Hammond Castle Pipe Organ by Decibel Records DB 1000 (Box 631, Lexington, Mass. 02173). Without a doubt, this cartridge will cleanly reproduce any recorded sound.
After a period of prolonged listening, we are of the opinion that musically it is one of the most rewarding phono cartridges we have thus far encountered. For those who do extensive listening it can be particularly recommended for its non-fatiguing characteristics.
-B. V. Pisha
Evaluation Equipment and Records
The following equipment and specific records listed below, as well as many discs listed in past reports, were utilized in the listening evaluation of the Dynavector DV-Karat Diamond phono cartridge: Technics SP-10 MkII turntable Technics EPA-100 tonearm, Nikko Beta 1 preamplifier, Crown IC-150A preamplifier, Audionics of Oregon Space and Image Composer, Audire DM-700 power amplifier, Audio Innovations LED 2C Dynamic Power Display, and a pair of stacked Duntech D1-15B speakers in each channel. Each pair of speakers was connected to the Audire DM-700 power amplifier wish Monster Cable. The turntable was equipped with the Hiraoka Disk-SE22 turntable mat.
The following records were among those used to aurally assess the performance of the Dynavector DV-Karat Diamond phono cartridge:
Stereo
The Manhattan Transfer--Live--Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-022.
The Crusaders, Chain Reaction--Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-010.
Mahler: Symphony No. 4, Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker--Deutsche Grammophon 2531 205.
Virtuose Kammermusik, Wolfgang Schulz, Querflote-Telefunken 6.42364AP.
Bawl Die Dreifaltigkeitsorgel zu Ottoburen, Ton Koopman (organist)--Telefunken 6.35375DX.
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Fifty Colorful Years--RCA DPL2-0432.
Parnassus Ensemble- Accent Acc 7806.
Kabitaretei (piano), Close-Ups, The Film Music of Ingmar Bergman--Proprioue Prop 7829.
Mozart: Requiem, The Stockholm St. Jacob Choir, Stefan Skold-Proprius Prcp 7815.
Pavaotti, O Sole Mio, Favorite Neapolitan Songs-- London OS 26560.
Mendelssohn: Symphonien Nos. 4 & 5, Bernstein, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra--Deutsche Grammophon 2531 097.
Handel: Organ Concertos, George Malcolm (organ)-Argo ZRG 888.
Direct to Disc
Space Organ, Jonas Nordwall (organ)--Crystal Clear Records CCS 6003.
Lauritdo Almeida, New Directions--Crystal Clear Records CCS 8007.
Trackin,' Lew Tabackin Quartet--RCA ( Japan) RDC-3.
Vivaldi: Concerto in E, Op. 8, No. 1 "Spring"/The Beatles Medley, M Hayakawa, Vivaldi Ensemble, Tokyo-RCA (Japan) RDC-2.
Montgomery and Lytle, Ragtime Piano for Four Hands- Sonic Arts Laboratory Series No. 6.
Woofers, Tweeters and All T sat Jazz (Binaural)--Sonic Arts Lab. Series No. 7
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata," I. Kamiya, pianist playing the Bosendorfer Imperial piano--RCA (Japan) RDC-4.
Vivaldi: four Seasons, M. Hayakawa, Vivaldi Ensemble, Tokyo--RCA ( Japan) RDCE-501-2.
New Baty, Randi and Quest-- Sheffield Lab. 12.
Introducing Bosendorfer (Imperial) and Kimball (Professional): The State of the Art in Recording Piano;--Kimball Piano & Organ Co , Jasper, IN 47546.
Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) / Digital to Analog
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe, Mata, Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Chorus--RCA ARC1-3458.
Stravinsky: the Firebird: Suite (1919); Symphony in Three Movements, Mata, Dallas Symphony Orchestra-RCA ARC1-3459.
Digital Spectacular, Stanley Black-His Piano and Orchestra-London LDP 30001.
Mozart: Symphony No. 38 in D Major (" Prague") and Symphony No. 36 in C Major (" Linz"), Suitner, N 1K Symphony Orchestra--Denon 0X-7156-ND.
Famous Classical Music on Screen-Denon OX-7146-ND.
Beloved Screen Music--Denon SX-7008.
Screen Music for Lovers--Denon SX-7007.
Schubert: Sonata in A Minor for Arpeggione and Piano; Veuxtemp: Sonata in B-flat Major for Viola and Piano-Denon OX-7154-ND.
Proprius and Accent records are distributed by Audio Source, 1185 Chess Dr., Suite G. Foster City, Cal. 94404.
Sonic Arts Corp. and RCA ( Japan) direct-to-disc records are distributed by Audio Technica U.S., 33 Shiawassee Ave., Fairlawn, Ohio 44313.
Denon records are distributed by American Audioport, 1417 North Providence Rd., Columbia, Mo. 65201.
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Also see:
Dynavector DV/Karat phono cartridge (ad, June 1981)