Another favorite cartridge vanishes.. Dynavector 17D3. GONE! replaced..

Dear @edgewear: Karats are at the mid of the top Dynavector  models. Since the XX1 the Dyna changed the cartridge motor with a new design: " Flux Damper " that certainly was an is atrue improvement in the quality level performance levels against all Karats, it is a new design.

So if you want to try Dyna then you need to go for the XV-1s. I owned the best Karat ever the 13 D ( two samples ) and the new Dyna design is really superior. There is no reason for you could not be satisfied with in case you buy it.

R.

Dear @edgewear: "  the proof that current top-of-the-line cartridges are not in a different universe as some people claim. "

No, are not because the main cartridge design/build characteristics almost does not changed through the years. What changed are some of the cartridge build materials or stylus shape or body shapes and the like.

The past and today " universe " on cartridge is exactly the same but exist differences in between do to those changes I named here but the cartridge motor of your Kiseki is first rate and VDH makes good job about with latest cantilever/stylus. Good for you.

R.

Dear @edgewear:  That Kiseki you owned was a great cartridge and maybe the more expensive one in its times. I owned ( second hand. ) the Fokadu Blackheart very good too.

But no the Kiseki/Fokadu designs did not used not even in your top of the line model a one piece cantilever/stylus.

R.

Dear @bill_k  @hdm @slaw : Dynavector never manufactured/designed a cartridge where the cantilever and stylus were made from one solid cantilever/stylus. Dynavector always made it as the 99% of LOMC manufacturers: two pieces.

If my memory is good only two cartridge manufacturers did it cantilever/stylus as one piece and these cartridges was: Audio Technica AT1000 and Sony XL88D ( I owned both. ). Both one piece of diamond. maybe could exist a third one that rigth now I can't remember but certainly Dynavector was not one of them.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.