The original XV-1 cartridge was designed to take the reproduction of analogue recording to new heights. The XV-1 achieved a standard of performance that was clearly in a league of its own. Dynavector have always remained indifferent to the endless digital formats that proport to be the next breakthrough in music reproduction, safe in the knowledge that the vast heritage of music recorded on vinyl can easily equal, if not clearly out perform these new formats. Dynavector are seriously committed to ensure the vinyl enthusiast is well catered for and the XV-1s is further proof of this on going commitment; yet another ground breaking product, uniquely Dynavector and flagship of the brilliant Dynavector cartridge range.
At a glance, the XV-1 was always different from all cartridges that have gone before. Its magnetic circuit comprises 8 small ALNICO magnets. The magnetic path is divided into two - In the magnetic gap, a specially designed magnetic flux equalizing piece is placed. On the front yokes, magnetic stabilizing coils are wound. By this special combination, the magnetic field becomes widely homogeneous and more linear than the conventional magnetic design that is common in existing MC cartridges.
The XV-1 has been awarded 'Golden Ear Award 2001' in the Absolute Sound magazine for its highly advanced technology.
Dynavector continue to research and have pushed the boundary further with the NEW XV-1s. Although the specifications remain the same a significant up upgrade in both magnetic and body parts achieve a startling improvement in imaging, along with a smooth as silk extension over the entire frequency range.
First inspection of the new DV XV-lt reveals that although it is unmistakenly Dynavector, the body beautiful is Urushi lacquered over a precision machined component of heat treated bamboo that has been assiduously selected for both design, elegance and acoustic performance.
Dynavector's patented Flux Damping process has been retained in concert with new ground breaking innovations that will quickly establish the XV-lt as not only the Dynavector flagship but set the contemporary standards in analog music reproduction.
Technology abounds within the XV-lt but the Dynavector "raison d'etre" is making the technology invisible and allowing the music to emerge like never before.
A silky smoothness is added to the musical reality which the XV cartridges have previously exhibited and as a result each instrument, performer or group is clearly imaged with a warm and rich presence. Dynavector believe that this emotive musical experience cannot be achieved by a digital source and with the XV-lt they have created a "Super Analog World".
The new Dynavector XV-1s mono cartridge has been developed due to enthusiastic requests from mono record lovers, worldwide. The XV-1s mono has not been designed as a typical, old fashioned mono cartridge, but developed as a true high fidelity component. It is designed to provide the highest performance and extract the greatest musical expression possible from mono records. The XV-1s mono follows from the innovative design and technology of the acclaimed XV-1s stereo cartridge and incorporates the following details and considerations:
- Compliance in horizontal and vertical directions
Musical information is recorded in the horizontal direction on mono records. Tracking the vertical elements will only lead to extraneous noise or potential damage of the record groove. Given this, the compliance of the XV-1s mono in the vertical direction has been set considerably lower compared to that of the horizontal direction. A somewhat "thin" and harsh sound is often experienced when playing a mono record with a normal stereo cartridge. A stereo cartridge picks up both the horizontal and the vertical groove information so that both the music and unnecessary noise are reproduced.
- Special coil bobbin design

The corner of the coil bobbin (armature) of the stereo cartridge is oriented at a 45 degree angle to the record surface in order to pick up both horizontal and vertical groove modulations. With the XV-1s mono, the bobbin is rotated to be parallel to the record surface. Therefore, sensitivity to vertical modulation is reduced dramatically and horizontal modulation is converted directly to the desired electrical signal. This is the most important feature of the mono cartridge.
A typical mono cartridge has two output terminals (hot and ground) with a single coil. The XV-1s mono has been designed with the four output terminals having bifilar wound coils. The bifilar wound coil means that dual separate monaural coils are connected respectively to the left and right channel terminals. As such, a typical stereo phono head amplifier/stereo phono preamplifier can be used as is without issues of hum, noise or ground loops.
- Innovative magnetic circuit design
The magnetic circuit design of the XV-1s mono follows directly from the innovative XV-1s stereo cartridge. Ideal characteristics have been achieved through an unparalleled magnetic circuit featuring 8 Alnico magnet rods. The XV-1s mono also utilizes DV's flux damper (patent) that reduces magnetic distortion. This innovative circuit provides a presentation that is clear, natural and musically expressive like no other cartridge before.
- Stylus tip and cantilever
The cantilever assembly for the XV-1s mono is of solid boron with a line contact stylus profile, similar to that of the XV-1s stereo cartridge. A line contact stylus profile is unusual for a mono cartridge, but the depth of grooves remain constant on mono records and the shape of the groove on mono records is at the same average level found on stereo records. Properly implemented, a modern line contact stylus can be used with mono records with great success. As well, the XV-1s mono cartridge will not damage a stereo record due to it's moderate vertical compliance.
Specifications - XV-1t:
Type |
Low output moving coil cartridge with multi Alnico magnets and the Flux damper |
Output Voltage |
0.35mV (at 1KHz, 5cm/sec.) |
Channel Separation |
30 dB (at 1KHz) |
Channel balance |
1.0 dB (at 1KHz) |
Frequency response |
20 - 20,000Hz (± 1dB) |
Compliance |
10 mm/N |
Tracking force |
1.8 - 2.2 g |
Impedance |
24 ohms |
Recommended load impedance |
> 75 ohms |
Cantilever |
6mm length 0.3 mm dia. solid boron with a special armaturer |
Stylus tip |
PF Line contact shape, stylus radius: 7 x 30 micron |
Weight |
12.0 g |
Specifications - XV-1s MONO:
Type |
Low output moving coil mono cartridge with multi Alnico magnets and the Flux damper |
Output Voltage |
0.25mV (at 1KHz, 5cm/sec. RMS horizontal) |
Frequency response |
20 - 50,000Hz (± 1dB) |
Compliance |
6 mm/N (horizontal) |
Tracking force |
2.6 - 3.2 g |
Impedance |
7 ohms |
Recommended load impedance |
> 30 ohms |
Cantilever |
6mm length 0.3 mm dia. solid boron |
Stylus tip |
PF Line contact shape, stylus radius: 7 x 30 micron |
Weight |
12.6 g |
Specifications - XV-1s:
Type |
Low output moving coil cartridge with multi Alnico magnets and the Flux damper |
Output Voltage |
0.3mV (at 1KHz, 5cm/sec.) |
Channel Separation |
30 dB (at 1KHz) |
Channel balance |
1.0 dB (at 1KHz) |
Frequency response |
20 - 20,000Hz (± 1dB) |
Compliance |
10 mm/N |
Tracking force |
1.8 - 2.2 g |
Impedance |
R=6 ohms, L=18 micro Henry |
Recommended load impedance |
> 30 ohms |
Cantilever |
6mm length 0.3 mm dia. solid boron with a special armaturer |
Stylus tip |
PF Line contact shape, stylus radius: 7 x 30 micron |
Weight |
12.6 g |