Karat Ruby vs Lyra Argo
The Argo's output is 0.5 mV against the Karat Ruby's 0.2 mV and its tracking force 1.8 g against 1.5 g. Both share cartridge type (MC) and stylus type (Line_contact).
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Estimated price (community-sourced)
Around — community and catalog average, updates slowly
The Dynavector Karat Ruby is a high-performance moving coil phono cartridge known for its very small size and advanced design based on dispersion theory. It features a 0.4 mm x 0.4 mm x 2.5 mm oblique cut solid ruby cantilever and a 0.1 mm x 0.1 mm line contact naked diamond stylus. The cartridge offers a wide frequency response from 20 Hz to 50,000 Hz, low output voltage of 0.2 mV at 1 kHz and 5 cm/sec, and excellent channel balance and separation. It has an impedance of 30 ohms and inductance of 80 microhenries. The cartridge weighs 5.3 grams and has a height of 17.5 mm. It requires a tracking force of approximately 1.5 grams and a vertical tracking angle of 20 degrees. The Karat Ruby is highly regarded for its ability to retrieve detailed and nuanced sound from vinyl records, with a design that minimizes dispersion and resonance for accurate waveform transduction. It is a low output MC cartridge requiring a suitable MC phono stage or step-up transformer for use. The cartridge is no longer in production but remains sought after for its sonic qualities and unique ruby cantilever construction.
Phono cartridge specifications
Size, weight, and appearance
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions
Components that show up alongside the Karat Ruby in real systems. A verdict means the pair has been checked for compatibility and headroom — open it to see how the two get along.
The closest alternatives on specs, description and the systems they turn up in, with the specs they share set side by side.
The Argo's output is 0.5 mV against the Karat Ruby's 0.2 mV and its tracking force 1.8 g against 1.5 g. Both share cartridge type (MC) and stylus type (Line_contact).
The Arkiv B's output is 0.4 mV against the Karat Ruby's 0.2 mV and its tracking force 1.9 g against 1.5 g. Both share cartridge type (MC) and stylus type (Line_contact).
The Arkiv's output is 0.1 mV against the Karat Ruby's 0.2 mV and its tracking force 1.6 g against 1.5 g. Both share cartridge type (MC) and stylus type (Line_contact).
The Gold's output is 0.4 mV against the Karat Ruby's 0.2 mV, its tracking force 2.0 g against 1.5 g, and its stylus type Elliptical against Line_contact. Both share cartridge type (MC).
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