Opinions on the Dynavector DV507MKII


Got plenty of good feedback on my super platter questions; so here's another point to ponder. Anyone have experience with the Dynavector DV507MKII tonearm on an Aries 3? My shop favors this tonearm for the Aries. I've auditioned this setup in the store and it definitely sounded better than my current Scout...

thx
StickMan451
stickman451
I'm currently using that setup the Dynavector DV 507MKII, Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua cartridge & the Aries 3, I love it. It's a perfect setup with a "AWESOME" sound. Everything about this setup is good it's by far the best addition I added to my system. Lets not forget the two of them together look like fine piece of artwork.

I also added the SDS, Mini Super Feet, Center Weight & Periphery Ring. I went further to change the phono cable that comes with the Dynavector tomearm. I'm using the Synergistic Research Tricon Analog phono cable, that was the icing on the cake.

Stickman451, do you live in GA? My reason for asking my local dealer has the same Dynavector & VPI setup you audition in the store just curious.
Never used it on an Aries but it's a great tonearm.

It should sound better than a Scout. Comparing it to a JMW-9 is akin to comparing a Lexus to a Yugo.
Jmo,

That's too funny. Mike was just telling me last week about your cartridge install and how much he liked it. He personally likes the Te Kaitora Rua better than the 'top of the line' XV-1.

Have you tried the super platter? I am thinking of adding it with the purchase; later I will add the SDS, the Ring, and maybe a Gingko. What does your Aries sit on?

thx
hs
Stickman451,

I decided to go with the SDS over the super platter I thought it was a bigger bang for the buck. My Aries sits on top of my Salamander rack. The Te Kaitora Rua cartridge was a vast improvement over the Karat. I actually feel the same way as Mike regarding the Te Kaitora Rua cartridge vs the XV-1. I'm very pleased with this setup.

Regards,
Jeffrey
Well Mr. Audiofeil,

It's time to trade-in the Yugo for that Lexas!!! Placing my order ASAP...
Stickman451, congrats...you will like the arm. Just came up from a 3 hr long listening session. I love my 507! The 507 is indeed an excellent tonearm. I am not crazy about their headshell though. A tonearm this caliber deserves a much better headshell.

Pls let us know when you get yours.
Just got to say that I love the 507MKII as well. I use it with an Acutus and XV-1s, I used to have a Te Kaitora Rua, but in my system and after my preferences, the XV-1s was a much better match (other people/systems my like the Te Kaitora Rua better).

I have the standard Dynavector headshell with azimuth (15g) an older Dynavector without azimuth (12-12,5g), Yamamoto Ebony (10,2g) and Yamamoto Tsunge (8,2g), it's well worth the investment, which is small after all, to experiment a bit with headshells since the sound changes a lot. I don’t know if the sound differs mostly because of different mass or material.

06-01-08: Fosse
I have the standard Dynavector headshell with azimuth (15g) an older Dynavector without azimuth (12-12,5g), Yamamoto Ebony (10,2g) and Yamamoto Tsunge (8,2g).
Then there's the Sumiko at 12g with adjustable azimuth, and the Audio Technicas, one in magnesium at 11g (I think) and three versions in their Technihard alloy ranging from 12-15g. And ZYX makes something seriously upscale at over $500. Yamamoto also offers shells in boxwood and cherry.
It's well worth the investment, which is small after all, to experiment a bit with headshells since the sound changes a lot. I don’t know if the sound differs mostly because of different mass or material.
I would think it's both. The difference in mass would affect it in one way and the difference in material in another. After all, let's suppose you have an ebony-bodied cartridge. You could mount it to two different 12g headshells, but if one is aluminum alloy and the other ebony, chances are they'd sound different.

It's mechanical impedance matching (material) vs. mass loading (weight). It's why some TT and mat mfrs are making platters and mats of acrylic/vinyl laminates--to get a good mechanical coupling between the LP and the mat or platter. You could use the same principle in matching headshells.
The Aries 3 has been ordered along with the DV 507 MKII! Can hardly wait to get it!!!

StickMan451
Congratulations StickMan. Please let us know as soon as it arrives.

What cartridge are you going to use it with?
For the short term I will use the Dynavector DV-20XL off of my Scout. I just got the Scout in January, but I knew after about the first 20 seconds of The Beatles Love album that I would have to move up ASAP! I hadn't really listened to vinyl over the last 20 years; what a mistake that has been!!!

The Scout sounds really good in my rig, but it ain't no Aries 3! The dealer here in Atlanta was nice enough to work a very fair trade-in deal so the Scout goes back. I have my eye on the Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua; Jmo (above) and others have told me that they actually like it better on the Aries than the DV DRT-XV1. Once I get my monies worth out of the 20XL (and my pocketbook recovers) I hope to go for the Rua. In the meantime I am chomping at the bit to add the outer ring and the SDS. I am also looking at the MapleShade Samson v.2 racks; they look very promising. Can't have it all now, but I have an awesome start with the Aries 3 and it's only going to get better!!!
The Te Kaitora Rua is good, no doubt about it. I’ve had both the T.K.R and the XV-1s. Never heard the T.K.R on the Scout but a friend of mine has a SuperScoutMaster with the longer arm and a XV-1s, nice combination. With the 507MKII it shouldn’t be a problem anyway. Keep us posted as soon as it shows up.
Sickman451,

I finally received my Periphery Ring yesterday, it's amazing how these little changes improves things sonically. At first I didn't want to spend $500.00 for a stainless steel doughnut but it does its job well. :O)
Yes, I agree. I've seen the ring in action at the shop and it definitely flattens out the record completly; makes life much easier for the arm and cartridge...saving my $$$ now for the addition of the ring and the SDS...

Stickman451
I run the Dynavector arm witha Zyx low voltage, copper coil Universe and a Millenium Carbon headshell on a Scheu das Laufwerk II with Teres Verus motor using a Millenium Mat and Stabilizer. The Arm is in a league of its own, particularly when listening to solo piano: attack, base and transparency are unrivalled in my experience