XV Ultima MC Phono Cartridge

The XV series is an accumulation of engineering excellence and refinement. The XV Ultima is the ultimate expression of Dynavector's XV cartridge series and the direct successor to the XV-1t. It retains the design that has defined the line since the original DRT XV-1 (1999) and XV-1s: eight Alnico magnets providing a stable magnetic field, a V-shaped front yoke that holds the magnets and makes the nude cartridge easier to handle, a square-shaped aperture in the yoke, a four-part magnetic equalizer to capture the magnetic field accurately, and Dynavector's patented Flux Damping, which counters flux fluctuation during playback to stabilize the magnetic field and reduce distortion in the generated signal. The body is Urushi-lacquered over precision-machined, heat-treated bamboo, selected for its acoustic properties and the stability it provides to the magnetic assembly.

The Ultima is further defined by two distinctive elements. The coil bobbin is manufactured from research lab-grade ultra-high-purity iron, maximizing purity for low distortion and ideal response to magnetic changes. The bobbin is then precision-cut into a cross-shaped armature and wound with ultra-fine pure copper wire. Both the cross shape and the fine winding reduce the cartridge's moving mass for accurate tracking and faithful reproduction of fine groove detail.

The latest improvement in the Ultima is the application of Dynavector's Special Annealing Process to the front and back yokes, the magnetic equalizer, and all eight magnets. The process addresses the crystal-structure distortion caused by machining, which reduces magnetic permeability and cannot be fully reversed by conventional annealing. Calibrated to each component and drawing on the tradition of Japanese swordsmithing, it restores pure iron to its full magnetic potential.

The XV series has long been known for natural timbre, stable imaging, and an unforced sense of presence. The Ultima takes these qualities to their fullest expression, with exceptional resolution, smooth extension at the frequency extremes, and a deeply layered soundstage -instruments and voices dearly placed and rendered with warmth and detail.

Cross Armature & Ultra fine Coil
In pursuit of true sound retrieval, attention turned to the moving assembly itself. Every gram between stylus and signal is a compromise — mass that must be accelerated, decelerated, and controlled at frequencies the ear is most sensitive to. The material is also very important.

The coil bobbin is made from research-grade ultra-high-purity iron, far exceeding the purity of conventional magnetic materials. This exceptional material responds to minute magnetic changes with outstanding linearity and minimal distortion in the signal.

The bobbin is then precision-cut into a cross-armature shape, removing unnecessary material while preserving the rigidity required for precise coil alignment.

The coil wire is re-evaluated with the same discipline. Ultra-fine pure copper wire, thinner than a human hair, is selected to reduce moving mass to an absolute minimum.

The lower the moving mass, the more faithfully the stylus follows groove modulations. The result is exceptional low-level resolution, silence between notes, and a soundstage that combines delicacy with physical presence.

Hybrid Structure with Bamboo Composite
Cartridge performance is influenced not only by the magnetic circuit and vibration system, but also by the behaviour of the structure itself. Rather than relying on a single material, the XV Ultima combines precision-machined aluminium with specially treated laminated bamboo selected for its balance of rigidity, low mass and natural damping behaviour. The bamboo composite is engineered for dimensional stability and precision machining, providing a stable foundation for the magnetic assembly while helping control unwanted resonance.

The surface is finished with a coating inspired by traditional Japanese Urushi finishes, further enhancing rigidity and damping performance. The result is a hybrid structure that combines mechanical stability with a natural and unforced musical presentation.

"V" Topology with 8 Magnets
Every cartridge design faces the same contradiction: expose the magnetic circuit for sound quality, or enclose it for usability. Without compromise, the XV series resolves this by redesigning the form itself. 

The inverted V-body exposes the magnetic circuit and wiring completely, eliminating the energy retention and resonance that enclosures can introduce. Yet the structure provides a secure, natural grip, inspiring confidence where most nude cartridges demand caution.

The same refusal to compromise extends to the magnetic circuit itself. In a conventional MC cartridge, magnetic flux travels through a yoke to reach the generating coil. Every millimetre of that journey introduces loss and distortion. The XV shortens the journey to its absolute minimum.

Eight ALNICO magnets make this possible. Four form the main circuit through the V-shaped front yoke. Four more sit directly adjacent to the armature, one for each coil, delivering flux via the shortest possible path.

ALNICO was chosen deliberately. Where rare earth magnets generate a powerful but harder field, ALNICO produces one of exceptional smoothness and linearity. The result is naturalness of tone, delicacy in the upper frequencies and a musical coherence that high-energy magnets rarely achieve.

Square Aperture & Equalizer
In a conventional magnetic circuit, the flux pathways for each coil interfere with one another. The XV takes this problem seriously and goes a a step further, redesigning small details that would ensure proper isolation between the pathways.

The opening (aperture) in the front yoke was redesigned into a square shape with slits at the corners to match the square armature precisely, and the equalising piece was divided into four sections, creating an independent magnetic pathway for each coil. Each one operates in its own clean channel, free from the cross-interference that compromises conventional designs.

The result is true channel separation, lower distortion, and a level of resolution that the original circuit could not achieve.

Flux Damper
Moving Coils are based on the magnetic field. Dynavector's founding principle is simple: precision must begin at the source.

During early cartridge development, engineers identified microscopic fluctuations in magnetic flux within the circuit. Even the smallest deviation in flux density changes the magnetic field acting in the air gap. This manifests directly as distortion in the output signal.

The flux damper cancels the distortion at the root by winding a shorted wire around the front yoke. The flux damper, produces counter flux that neutralises the fluctuations and holds the magnetic field stable. In the case for the XV series two flux dampers are wound on each side of the yoke to stabilise the two circuits generated by the eight magnets.

The result is what defines the Dynavector sound, a clean, natural signal that is free from distortion which causes harshness and colouration.

Dynavector's proprietary Annealed Magnetic Circuit breakthrough delivers significantly improved sound quality, unrivalled resolution, with a smooth and wide tonal balance, and exceptional depth of field. This is what gives the cartridge its incredibly natural and hugely dynamic presentation. What you hear is a properly optimized magnetic generating system melded with a state-of-the art vibration sensing system.

Although the selection of Stylus and Cantilever are without question important choices, special attention must be paid to the critical role that magnets play within the generating mechanism. The cartridge's output signal is inextricably tied to the minute movements of the vibration sensing system within the magnetic circuit, as this is where signal is generated as the coil vibrates amidst the magnetic flux. In essence, this is where the rubber meets the road.

To preserve maximum resolution, it is essential that the magnetic field within the cartridge be able to maintain high flux density and unwavering stability. Dynavector uses pure iron for the magnetic circuit due to its high magnetic permeability and exceptional stability. The downside of processing metal parts however, is that this will often distort the crystal structure of the iron at an atomic level, which leads to a loss of magnetic permeability.

Magnetic annealing, the process of heating and then cooling these processed parts, is crucial for restoring the crystal structure to the metal and regenerating magnetic permeability. Most magnetic annealing processes simply cannot fully overcome and "heal" these distortions in the crystal structure as magnetic annealing conditions will vary depending on the parts material, size, shape, etc. Dynavector's research focused on improving this process to find the most effective magnetic annealing process, which included experimenting with temperature, environment, duration, as well as heating and cooling rates. This meticulous and scientifically based approach has led them to pioneer an entirely new way to unleash the full potential of pure iron's unique magnetic performance.

• Type:  Low Output MC Cartridge, Alnico Magnets & Flux Damper
• Output Voltage:  0.32 mV (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, solid boron
• Stylus tip:  PF Line Contact / Stylus Radius: 7 x 30 micron
• Weight:  12 g

*Note that the XV Ultima's internal impedance is higher than conventional cartridges. Please ensure you have the right settings for your phono stage for the best performance.