View Full Version : Dynavector DV10X5 & Origin Live Silver MK3A or Audio Note Arm 1
Hello everyone,
I have recently started a thread over on Techipedia seeking guidance on how best to modify my 1210. I am leaning towards replacing the arm with an Origin Live Silver MK3A or Audio Note Arm 1. For the moment I would like to stick with MM carts or HO MC for both practical reasons (no step up) and cost restrictions (I do not really want to spend more than £350 on the cart).
I was originally considering a Ortofon 2M Bronze or Goldring 1042. However, someone suggested a Benz Micro HO MC. I am looking to improve upon the technics rather shut in, dark and thick character. I would like to widen the soundstage, achieve greater detail and a more musical, airy performance - greater finesse, whilst maintaining the Technics plus points - great drive, timing etc.
I am starting to look at HO MC's as my feeling is a MC cart is more iikely to give me the changes I seek. I could of course be wrong.
Online research has led me to the Dynavector DV10X5. Its seems to be almost universally praised for its price-performance.
What are your thoughts and experiences of the Dynavector DV10X5?
Also, any opinions on my arm choices and their compatability with the DV10X5?
Anyone with opinions on or experiences of the Dynavector DV10X5 cartridge?
Was one of the first carts i had over 30 years ago.
Really liked it at the time but didn't have much experience of other ones then.
Thanks Chelsea, it would appear to have gone through a number of changes since then. To be going that long it must be doing something right. I am considering a HO MC as a MM alternative and this would appear to be a top contender. Any thoughts on how it would compare to a top end MM cart such as the Ortofon 2M Bronze, Goldring 1042 or equivalent Nagoka?
Haselsh1
13-08-2014, 15:28
I used to have a Dynavector 10X back in the day when it was called an Ultimo 10X and I was very impressed with it. The treble had a wonderful detail to it without any horrible artifacts and the midrange was to die for. I remember the fullness of the midrange with some fondness. I may well go back there next year in fact.
Afraid comparisons are so hard due to many variations in kit.
The ortofon quintet range is meant to be very good.
Why not hold a cartridge bake off.
trio leo
16-08-2014, 10:59
Hello Mark,
I had a 10x5 for about 3 years and I thoroughly enjoyed it, in my system it was lively,rhythmic and connected well with the music, I thought it was very good vfm and I would have another.
enjoy your music :)
regards Al
Thanks Al, It would seem to be almost universally well regarded. Is there anything I need to be aware of with regards matching it to a phono stage? Should it work with any quality MM stage?
Rega style arms, and even botched ones may well need a wooden mounting plate on the techie, as I don't think a metal one will help make music. A personal view of course, but there you go! The best Rega mod/bodge is undoubtedly the Michel Technoarm IMO. Superb finish and looks like some proper careful engineering thought went into it before the parts were shipped back to Rega for final assembly!!!!! It even still looks like a Rega arm and is easier to set up than the RB250 on which it was based.
The Technoarm is immune to most cartridges I'm told, so you can choose whatever you like :)
Ammonite Audio
17-08-2014, 18:51
The current Audio Note Arm1, which I think the OP is considering, has nothing in common with Rega arms except for sharing their overall geometry. Having owned the Arm1 (since upgraded to Arm3 spec) and the Tecnoarm, I would say that the Audio Note is a far, far better arm that really sings with a good MC cartridge up front. I never managed to get the Tecnoarm to sing at all.
The current Audio Note Arm1, which I think the OP is considering, has nothing in common with Rega arms except for sharing their overall geometry. Having owned the Arm1 (since upgraded to Arm3 spec) and the Tecnoarm, I would say that the Audio Note is a far, far better arm that really sings with a good MC cartridge up front. I never managed to get the Tecnoarm to sing at all.
Do you reckon the DV10X5 would work well with the AN Arm 1? Did you notice a significant difference between the 1 & the 3?
Ammonite Audio
18-08-2014, 06:44
Do you reckon the DV10X5 would work well with the AN Arm 1? Did you notice a significant difference between the 1 & the 3?
Audio Note don't quote the arm's effective mass but I suspect it's on the high side of medium, so I don't see why the DV10X5 should not be fine, but I have no personal experience with any Dynavector cartridge other than the DV20X2 (which I didn't like at all). There was quite a positive step after having the Arm1 brought up to Arm3 specification - that's down to the silver wiring since there are no structural differences (I did get a heavy counterweight as well, though). The reason for upgrading was actually nothing to do with sound quality, but rather the stiffness of Audio Note's yellow AN-A external tonearm cable and consequent difficulty dressing it effectively and tidily. The silver AN-Vx is very flexible and much easier to accommodate, albeit pricey. Fortunately, the sound quality justifies the outlay.
The Audio Note arms are easy to recommend because of their high performance/price ratio. They do need a bit of care setting up since the bias mechanism is not calibrated, but getting that right should ideally be done by ear anyway.
belloire
18-08-2014, 08:19
loved my 10x5 as a replacement for an ortofon 2m red. was a big step up.
not a fan of straight arms on a techie, but that's just me. don't think it's an upgrade, or looks right. however, the arm 1 is a good arm and i'm sure it will work really well with the dynavector (assuming the compliance etc is ok, which i don't really understand...)
a pal has a 1210 with an arm2 and an audio note iq3 on it. very nice it is too. (no match for my jelco/art1 of course ;))
loved my 10x5 as a replacement for an ortofon 2m red. was a big step up.
not a fan of straight arms on a techie, but that's just me. don't think it's an upgrade, or looks right. however, the arm 1 is a good arm and i'm sure it will work really well with the dynavector (assuming the compliance etc is ok, which i don't really understand...)
a pal has a 1210 with an arm2 and an audio note iq3 on it. very nice it is too. (no match for my jelco/art1 of course ;))
Are you opposed to straight arms on Technics for purely cosmetic reasons or do you have sonic concerns (I agree S shaped arms do look better)? Surely, a superior arm is a superior arm regardless of its style. I fully appreciate the stock arm has good bearings but that is all it has imo. It is an old design, built to a budget and the arm pipe rings. I have the MK2 which also has very poor wiring. It makes perfect sense to me to replace the arm altogether. Re-wiring the stock arm seems fairly pointless to me unless you are on a very tight upgrade budget.
Are you saying you prefer the sound of the Jelco/Technics to the AN Arm 1/Technics or just the look?
Ammonite Audio
19-08-2014, 06:37
When I did the Technics thing, I had the standard arm re-wired and foam filled by Audio Origami and it was considerably better, more musically engaging. But, it was then utterly outclassed by a Jelco SA-750D which showed the Technics arm to be quite unruly when the music gets challenging, eg complex orchestral pieces. So, IME re-wiring the standard arm is a good VFM option if there are no funds for replacing it altogether, but it's not hard to do better with a different arm. I did not have the Audio Note Arm1 at the time, but I'm sure it would slaughter the Technics arm and then go on to maim the Jelco (I still use a 750D on my TD-124 and regularly swap it over for the Audio Note).
belloire
19-08-2014, 09:02
Are you opposed to straight arms on Technics for purely cosmetic reasons or do you have sonic concerns (I agree S shaped arms do look better)? Surely, a superior arm is a superior arm regardless of its style. I fully appreciate the stock arm has good bearings but that is all it has imo. It is an old design, built to a budget and the arm pipe rings. I have the MK2 which also has very poor wiring. It makes perfect sense to me to replace the arm altogether. Re-wiring the stock arm seems fairly pointless to me unless you are on a very tight upgrade budget.
Are you saying you prefer the sound of the Jelco/Technics to the AN Arm 1/Technics or just the look?
good point......
it's mostly on aesthetic grounds really, i think they look wrong. however, when it comes to rega 250/300's then it's sound too. i've not heard a rega that sounds better than a looked after standard arm yet. in fact i was talking to Jonny at Audio Origami and asked his advice and he told me to spend money on rewiring/fettling the standard arm rather than buy one of his own AO Regas. (i actually bought a new 1210 with a jelco on in the end)
however, the ARM2 my pal has on his looks crap (in my opinion) but sounds very good.
good point......
it's mostly on aesthetic grounds really, i think they look wrong. however, when it comes to rega 250/300's then it's sound too. i've not heard a rega that sounds better than a looked after standard arm yet. in fact i was talking to Jonny at Audio Origami and asked his advice and he told me to spend money on rewiring/fettling the standard arm rather than buy one of his own AO Regas. (i actually bought a new 1210 with a jelco on in the end)
however, the ARM2 my pal has on his looks crap (in my opinion) but sounds very good.
Yeah, I agree the Jelco does look better on the Technics but at the end of the day I am interested in maximising the sound quality potential of the deck. I am starting to consider the SME M2-9 which would be a fine cosmetic match and can be had for £699 or perhaps upping the arm budget and going for the SME 309 which can be had for £1050. A less attractive cosmetic match imo but a truly excellent arm that apparently works very well on the Technics.
Ammonite Audio
19-08-2014, 12:20
Yeah, I agree the Jelco does look better on the Technics but at the end of the day I am interested in maximising the sound quality potential of the deck. I am starting to consider the SME M2-9 which would be a fine cosmetic match and can be had for £699 or perhaps upping the arm budget and going for the SME 309 which can be had for £1050. A less attractive cosmetic match imo but a truly excellent arm that apparently works very well on the Technics.
Dave Cawley at Sound HiFi is your man to help you find out which SME arm might work out best on the Technics.
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