DRT XV-1t Phono Cartridge

Dynavector's flagship cartridge - the DRT XV-1T - features world class technology and construction with an unparalelled heritage. In order to appreciate how this cartridge came to be, it's important to understand the history of Dynavector's XV-1 series.

History of the XV-1 Family
In 1999 Dynavector released the revolutionary DRT XV-1 stereo cartridge. This new design pioneered a unique topology based around 8 Alnico magnets, magnetically stable front yokes, a square-shaped front armature within a rather spectacular deep "V" shaped front structure. Combined with Dynavector's patented "Flux Damping" this cartridge quickly became the worldwide benchmark for music lovers and the audio press alike.

Dynavector's subsequent flagship design, the XV-lS was released in 2002. Retaining the patented Flux Dumping and including a new magnetically stable front yoke with a unique square-shaped aperture and improved magnetic-equalizing component, the XV-1S refined and improved the original in every way. Nestled in an African Ebony wood body to provide further stability for the magnetic components, the XV-1S remains a truly unique and exquisite sounding cartridge.

Fast Forward to Today
On the surface, the XV-1T shares much of its overall structure with its progenitor, the XV-1S. That being said, there are significant differences in construction and technology leading to a huge leap forward in sonic capabilities.

First, the coils are very different. The XV-1T uses coil windings which are just 16 microns thick. That's less than a quarter the thickness of a human hair! This is quite possibly the smallest gauge wire ever used in a phono cartridge. These tiny windings allow the armature (where the coils are wound) to be made significantly smaller than the armature used for the XV-1S. This also allows for a physically smaller and more compact motor design, making the entire structure vastly more responsive to the grooves. Increasing resolution and delivering a more accurate and lively presentation.

The XV-1T's body is made from carbonized bamboo, which provides a number of very large advantages over other woods. First, Bamboo is a much more consistent material in its manufacturing process, which delivers more consistent results. Second, once carbonized, Bamboo becomes an incredibly rigid and durable material; light and strong, certainly, but also a very well-damped structure, thanks to the fibrous nature of bamboo. These natural characteristics greatly reduce the resonance characteristics of the body as well as resonances caused by standing waves within the cartridge. Removing resonance and vibration allows the XV-1T to reveal more information than a traditional wood-bodied cartridge while still retaining the warmth and richness of a natural material. The painstakingly hand-applied Urushi lacquer adds gorgeous visual appeal of this truly stunning work of art.

The internal impedance of the XV-1T is a relatively high 24 Ohms, which is due to the near microscopic size of the windings. In practice, this will rarely be an issue and the XV-1T does very well when loaded at a very reasonable 200-250 Ohms. As wtih all loading recommendations, this may be taken with a grain of salt. Some systems may benefit from higher loading, while others may prefer lower... Dynavector's opinion on the matter is to simply load the cartridge above 75Ohms.

Supremely analog, insightful and resolved, the XV-1T has a relaxed, artful, organic, physical, visceral and overall musical presentation... this is THE cartridge for music lovers.

Principal Features of the XV-1T

• The unique square-shaped armature manufactured from a carefully selected material that is both corrosion resistant and impervious to age deterioration
• 16 micron coil windings which only Dynavector can manufacture, are wound around a square shaped armature to match the square shaped hole in the front yoke
• Alnico column magnets stabilize the magnetic circuits and increase linearity of the magnetic distribution within the air gap
• Carbonized Bamboo body, a renewable resource that's as hard as metal, as organic sounding as wood, with superior resonance damping to both
• Ships with a gorgeous Walnut case

Type: Low output moving coil cartridge with multi Alnico magnets and 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 x 10-6 cm/dyn
Tracking force: 1.8 - 2.2 grams
Internal Impedance: R=24 ohms
Recommended load resistance: >75 ohms
Cantilever: 6mm length, 0.3 mm dia. solid boron with a unique armature
Stylus tip:  PF Line contact shape, stylus radius: 7 x 30 micron
Weight: 12.0 grams