DYNAVECTOR DV-505

Second-hand. Comes with Onlife Research Japan base and Ortofon Resonance Free headshell.

The Dynavector DV-505 tonearm represents a radically innovative approach compared to traditional designs, the result of Onlife Research's advanced engineering and a technical vision entirely focused on achieving the highest fidelity in sound reproduction. The product of long and meticulous development, this tonearm features a unique biaxial structure that functions as two independent arms integrated into a single architecture. The main body, with substantial mass, is designed to move exclusively in the horizontal plane, ensuring exceptional stability and minimizing unwanted lateral oscillations. Simultaneously, a second, lighter arm element, separately pivoted, operates solely in the vertical plane, allowing it to follow record warps with remarkable precision and ensuring flawless tracking even on slightly warped vinyl.

This dual structure elegantly resolves the classic design conflict between stability and responsiveness: on the one hand, the mass required to provide smooth, vibration-free horizontal motion; on the other, the lightness needed to allow quick reaction to vertical surface irregularities. The tracking force is applied by a precisely calibrated spiral spring mechanism that guarantees consistent pressure on the cartridge, regardless of record deformation.

One of the most refined features of the DV-505 is its electromagnetic damping system. A curved rod mounted at the rear of the arm moves within a magnetic field generated by two permanent magnets. Even the slightest undesired motion induces an eddy current in the rod, which then interacts with the magnetic field to swiftly return the system to equilibrium, effectively eliminating resonance. In addition, an internally mounted counterweight is precisely tuned to vibrate in opposite phase to the arm’s natural resonance, canceling it out and ensuring a highly linear response even at subsonic frequencies. The result is an extraordinary sonic transparency, free from muddiness, capable of conveying every micro-detail etched in the groove with dynamic precision and naturalness.

The DV-505’s installation is remarkably flexible, thanks to its heavy base that allows free placement on virtually any turntable without the need for screws—although pre-drilled mounting holes are also provided. A setup template is included to ensure correct overhang adjustment. Awarded at the 1977 CES Design and Engineering Exhibition, the Onlife Research DV-505 tonearm is still considered a masterpiece of audio engineering, capable of elevating any listening experience to the highest standards of analog reproduction.

Technical Specifications:

• Overall length: 335 mm (including headshell)
• Effective length: 241 mm
• Offset angle: 21.5 degrees
• Lateral tracking error: 0° at inner grooves, 2.2° at outer grooves
• Overhang: 15 mm
• Adjustable height range: 38 – 70 mm
• Lateral and vertical sensitivity: less than 50 mg
• Headshell connection: standard EIA 4-pin type