Dynavector – DRT XV-1S MC Phono Cartridge

The Absolute Sound Golden Ear Winner, the improved Dynavector XV-1S is designed to passionately take your analog listening to a new heights. With an eight magnet, dual-stereo coil design and ebony wood stabilizer, the DRT XV-1S offers an supremely musical presentation. This is the ultimate expression of Dynavector’s analog sound: extremely detailed, unbelievable tonality, rich through the mid-band, throws a HUGE soundstage, tremendous dynamics, the deepest bottom-end, and we could go on and on. Absolutely one of the very best phono cartridges ever built.

“This is a five-star moving-coil design. I have little else to say about it, since it is the best of these babies I have ever encountered – ever. I hear no serious flaws. I hate to say this, but, in the here and now and until I hear something better, I can hear no flaws at all.”
– Harry Pearson, The Absolute Sound, Golden Ear Award

Dynavector set out to produce a cartridge capable of musical reproduction above, or at least equal to any digital source. The result is the XV-1S: a cartridge designed to meet this ambitious goal, and succeeding in providing the finest analogue reproduction possible.

At a glance, the XV-1S is 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. Currently the design trend of MC cartridges is to employ stronger and harder magnets. The XV-1S takes the opposite approach.

The result? Deeper and more accurate bass, brighter but much smoother treble and better L/R separation. Very low distortion, especially of 3rd harmonics, results in lifelike musicality and ease of reproduction impossible using normal MCs. After hearing the music produced by the XV-1S even ‘high-end’ CD players sound thin, lacking any real deep bass. This cartridge handles the smooth string notes and heavy dynamics of big orchestral works such as Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Mahler etc. with unique ease, to bring the full glory of analogue recordings to the listener who wants the very best possible sound from their stock of LP records.

“If you are, perchance, one of the critics of moving-coil
designs who thinks they all sound bright or alike, the Dynavector could
be the missionary bringing you a conversion experience.”
– Harry Pearson, The Absolute Sound