Dynavector Aska Moving Coil Cartridge
Dynavector’s entry-level moving coil cartridge, available in high and low output versions to suit MM or MC phono stages. Hand-built in Japan with the same design philosophy as Dynavector’s higher-end models — open, natural, and remarkably low in distortion.
Usually dispatched in 1-2 days. Delivery & returns
£449.00
Have a question? Call us on 0161 399 0993 or send a message. We also offer part exchange and price matching.
Delivery & Returns
We offer free UK delivery on all orders. Most orders are shipped with Royal Mail Tracked 24 or DPD Next Day services, but we sometimes use other delivery options for large or heavy items. We’ll let you know as soon as your order has shipped and provide you with the tracking details.
For click & collect items, we’ll notify you by email when your order is ready for collection. We can also provide delivery in person on click & collect orders — just ask if you’d like us to arrange this.
We want you to be delighted with your purchase. If you change your mind for any reason, you can return any item within 30 days for a full refund, provided it’s in unmarked condition with all packaging and accessories.
For full details of our policies, please see our Delivery and Returns pages.
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About the Dynavector Aska
Where the moving coil journey begins
For nearly 50 years Dynavector has pushed the boundaries of what a moving coil cartridge can do. The Aska takes everything learned from their flagship models — the open, natural, low-distortion character Dynavector is known for — and packages it into an entry point built to make your first step into MC playback as easy as possible.
Available in two versions, so you can match it to the phono stage you already own:
- Aska-H (High Output) — 2.8mV output. Runs straight into a standard MM phono input. No step-up transformer, no head amp, no fuss.
- Aska-L (Low Output) — 0.3mV output. Built for owners of a step-up transformer or dedicated MC phono stage, and closer to the “true” MC experience.
Not sure which one suits your setup? Ask us in-store or drop us a line — it usually comes down to what phono stage you’re running.
Built to Dynavector’s high-end standard, not scaled down from it
Every stage of production — moulding, cutting, heat treatment, plating, assembly, final adjustment — happens in Japan, hand-assembled and individually inspected. The Aska isn’t a budget simplification of the Dynavector formula; it’s the same standard of build applied to a more accessible cartridge.
Special Annealing Magnetic Circuit
The magnetic circuit is the heart of any MC cartridge, and it has a direct bearing on the sound. Dynavector uses pure iron for its low-distortion properties, then carefully anneals it — controlling temperature, environment, and heating/cooling rates — to refine the magnetic properties for a more expansive, resolved sound with less distortion.
Neodymium magnet with Dynavector’s “Softened Magnetism”
Rare earth magnets are powerful but can sound harsh and edgy if left unchecked. Dynavector’s patented Softened Magnet technology tames that edge while keeping the drive of a neodymium magnet — the result is a clean, well-separated sound with real punch behind it.
Elliptical stylus
A well-judged, well-balanced choice for modern analogue playback. The elongated contact surface tracks fine high-frequency groove detail that a spherical stylus misses, without the alignment sensitivity of a line-contact profile. A genuinely forgiving, capable stylus for anyone newer to MC cartridges.
Easy installation
Threaded M2.5 screw holes are built directly into the cartridge body — no fiddling with a loose nut and screw at the same time. Line it up, tighten through your headshell or tonearm, done.
Aska-H — High Output, for ease of use
Dynavector’s own coil-winding technology makes a genuinely high-output MC cartridge possible: many turns of ultra-fine wire around the coil bobbin retain a healthy 2.8mV output. That means you get the sonic character of a moving coil cartridge with the plug-and-play simplicity of a moving magnet.
- Output: 2.8mV
- Recommended load impedance: 1,000Ω or higher
- Connects to: any standard MM phono input (47kΩ load) — no transformer or head amp required
Best for: turntable owners with a standard MM-only phono stage who want to hear what MC sounds like without buying additional equipment.
Aska-L — Low Output, for the true MC character
The Aska-L drops output to 0.3mV, matching the wide range of step-up transformers and head amplifiers already out there, and getting you closer to what a moving coil cartridge is really about.
- Output: 0.3mV
- Recommended load impedance: 100Ω or higher
Best for: owners of a dedicated MC phono stage or step-up transformer who want the fuller, more distinct MC presentation.
Specifications
| Aska-H | Aska-L | |
| Type | High output MC, flux damper & softened magnetism | Low output MC, flux damper & softened magnetism |
| Output Voltage | 2.8mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec) | 0.3mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec) |
| Channel Separation | 25dB (1kHz) | 25dB (1kHz) |
| Channel Balance | 1.0dB (1kHz) | 1.0dB (1kHz) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz–20kHz (±2dB) | 20Hz–20kHz (±2dB) |
| Compliance | 12mm/N | 12mm/N |
| Tracking Force | 1.8–2.2g | 1.8–2.2g |
| Impedance | 150 ohms | 5 ohms |
| Recommended Load Impedance | >1,000 ohms | >30 ohms |
| Cantilever | 6mm hardened aluminium pipe | 6mm hardened aluminium pipe |
| Stylus | Elliptical | Elliptical |
| Weight | 5.8g | 5.8g |