I know it’s not really been that long since my last blog but I just have to tell you about the marvellous little Dynavector DV-10X5 MK2 moving coil cartridge.

The 10X series high output moving coil cartridge has actually been around since 1978 and has won so many awards it is getting embarrassing. Over the years the 10X series cartridges have become widely accepted as the benchmark for high output moving coil cartridges at this price point and way beyond.

With the introduction of the Dynavector DV-10X5 MK2 there is no doubt that Dynavector will retain this enviable position for the foreseeable future.

Dynavector are world famous for their their capability of winding the finest coil assemblies and have been able to minutely increase the number of coil windings to achieve even better sound quality.

The head block is made from aluminium to provide a rigid platform for the cartridge motor and to provide a really rigid fixing to the tonearm.

It also sports a nude diamond Shibata 3 line contact stylus tip and hardened cantilever to ensure superb tracking over even the most torturous record grooves while still achieving extended high frequency response and enhanced musical resolution avoiding the harshness or irritating edginess that can occur in other moving coil cartridges.

I recently had the pleasure of listening to the Dynavector 10X5 MK2 fitted to a Rega Planar 3 turntable and the quality of replay produced by the pairing was just gorgeous. Being played through the Rega Elicit integrated amplifier (which was fine because the Dynavector is high output and will work into a moving magnet input) and a pair of the new Acoustic Energy AE509 floorstanding loudspeakers the system was delivering a quality of sound that was way above what is normal for this price! First on was the Nils Petter Molvaer album Khmer. This has only just been released on vinyl for the first time, although it first saw the light of day in 1997. Better late than never though eh? Stunningly recorded with some of the deepest bass in recorded music history. It is a wonderful pressing and recording produced by the wizard at ECM that is Manfred Eicher.

Massive beats and throbbing grooves underpin the Norwegian trumpeter’s fiery solos in a project that forms a bridge between ECM’s improvised soundscapes and the brave new world of trip-hop, drum and bass, ambient/illbient, techno, industrial, electronica and samples. Genius and should be in every self respecting audiophile’s collection.

Next on the playlist was the rather excellent album called Baby from electro boffins Yello. Played on the Dynavector and Rega P3 combination, this produced the kind of soundstage that was so large that the walls of the room just melted away and the music was left hanging in the air in front of me. It was one of those goose-bump inducing moments that meant I just had to play the whole album!

Time and again while playing this album I was left astounded by just how good this whole system was performing. The stand out tracks being Who’s Groove and Capri Calling both sounding lush and mesmerising. I am sure that this system combination will make the most of pretty much whatever it is asked to play. I listened to some classic Blue Note jazz some beautiful old Decca classical and a bit of the good old Grateful Dead and all were portrayed with that effortless ease that is the trademark sound of a great system working really well. All in all this sparkling little cartridge proved to be the icing on the cake for this particular vibration measuring machine!

Call us or pop in if you’d like to have a listen.

Dynavector phono cartridges are available from the following branches of Audio T: Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Manchester, Online, Portsmouth, Reading, Southampton, Swansea

Rega Hi-Fi products are available from all branches of Audio T.

Acoustic Energy loudspeakers are available from the following branches of Audio T: Bristol, Cheltenham, Enfield, Online, Portsmouth, Reading, Swindon