Turntables, Arms & Cartridges

While the Aska's elliptical stylus, crimped alloy cantilever, square former and copper coil windings (and polymer damper behind, see inset picture) are reminiscent of many other MC cartridges, Dynavector has squeezed more performance from this formula by paying extra attention to the 'magnetic circuit'. All MCs operate on the same simple principle, governed by Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction, whereby a signal current is induced in the coils as they are moved by the cantilever and cut the lines of magnetic flux between the pole piece and front yoke. However, this current also sets up an opposing magnetic field that resists the very motion these 'moving coils' require. On a far grander scale, this magnetic damping effect is used in non-contact braking systems (roller coasters, etc) and vibration stabilisation solutions for research and industry.

On the micro scale of an MC cartridge, this magnetic resistance to the free motion of the coils sets up resonances within the armature and surrounding structures, adding intermodulation distortion to the (audio) signal. Dynavector mitigates this phenomenon by winding a coil on the front yoke in an attempt to induce an equal but opposite force that will suppress these dynamic variations in magnetic flux. This patented 'Flux Damper' is one part of Dynavector's comprehensive 'Magnetic Circuit Stabiliser'. Another is its 'Softened Magnet' where an additional, permeable metal block is added to the Aska's high intensity rare-earth magnet (above the coils and between the front and rear yokes) to further linearise the magnetic flux experienced by the moving coils. PM