Dynavector DV-10X5 MKII MC Cartridge

New Line-Contact Stylus

The Dynavector 10X series High Output Moving Coil cartridge debuted in 1978 and won the prestigious Design and Engineering Award at the Chicago CES in both 1978 and 1981. The 10X series cartridges are widely accepted as a benchmark in high-output moving coil cartridges at this price point and beyond.

The signature red body of the 10X series has been manufactured for over 40 years and remains the most popular model among audiophiles worldwide.

The 10X5, released in 2003, features a powerful neodymium magnet and a newly designed aluminium head block to provide a rigid platform for the cartridge motor and secure mounting to the tonearm.

Magnetic flux damping and softened magnetism, combined with powerful neodymium magnets, give the DV-10X5mkII a strong 2.8 mV output, making it suitable for most MM inputs.

Since the DV-10X5mkII does not require a head amplifier or step-up transformer, it allows for simple integration of a Dynavector MC cartridge into your system.

Improved Stylus Assembly

The Dynavector 10X5 MKII features an upgraded stylus assembly with a nude diamond “Shibata III” line contact stylus and an improved hardened cantilever material.

These enhancements ensure secure tracking even in demanding record grooves while delivering extended high-frequency response and improved musical resolution.

Flux Damper

Dynavector focused on magnetic interference caused by armature movement within the air gap of the magnetic circuit and the surrounding magnetic yoke. It was discovered that flux fluctuations significantly affect the reproduced sound.

To address this, Dynavector developed a patented flux damper positioned on the front yoke to eliminate these fluctuations.

This technology drastically reduces magnetic flux variation compared to conventional MC cartridges, resulting in smooth, natural, and uncoloured sound reproduction across the entire frequency range.

High Output MC Cartridge

The DV-10X5mkII is a high-output MC cartridge with an output voltage of 2.5 mV, achieved by winding ultra-fine wire multiple times as a generating coil.

This unique Dynavector winding technology eliminates the need for a head amplifier or step-up transformer.

High-output MC cartridges are less affected by external amplification devices, offering advantages over low-output types. They are particularly well-suited for preamplifiers with MM inputs. The recommended load resistance is above 1,000 ohms.

Softened Magnetism

Modern MC cartridges often use high-energy rare-earth magnets, such as samarium-cobalt and neodymium, to increase the output voltage. While effective, these magnets can make the magnetic field in the air gap more susceptible to interference due to high magnetoresistance.

This can lead to intermodulation distortion or harshness during playback of high-amplitude signals.

Dynavector addresses this by reducing internal magnetic resistance using a proprietary method, significantly stabilising magnetic flux within the air gap compared to conventional MC cartridges.