We’ve got a little bit of history going on with Dynavector; The P75 phono stage has been the go-to item for audiophiles in New Zealand and overseas for the better part of quarter of a century and we’ve listened to, and enjoyed, every version.
The new Mk4.1 is the latest iteration. Despite the model number suggesting that this is a slight upgrade form the original Mk4 there’s a a whole lot more happening with this phono stage that deserves your attention.
Before we take you on a deep dive into how and why the new P75Mk4.1 works so well, let’s cut to the chase on the sound quality.
This is by far and away the best sounding phono stage from Dynavector and should the the first port of call for any existing Dynavector cartridge owner. If you want to hear your cartridge performing as it should, this is where you need to be. There are also some very good reasons for users of other cartridges to also aspire to owning this phono stage which we’ll go into shortly.
The immediate impression we formed when first listening to the 4.1 was a greatly improved precision and the ability to peel back previously unheard information from well played records. And it did this when use with Dynavector’s entry level cartridge – the new DV-10XA. Subsequent sessions with better cartridges simply reinforced this.
The new P75 Mk4.1 gets to the heart of why we continue to listen to analogue records – there is and almost infinite amount of information hidden in vinyl grooves – unlike digital we are not limited by finite sampling rates and while we might not be able to quantify what we hear, there’s no doubt we’re experiencing something organic and very real.
The best audio components will elicit an emotional response to playing music – joy, wonder, wild enthusiasm or even a few tears. The Dynavector is a little box or electronics that delivers the analogue magic in a way that reaffirms our humanity.
Now let’s get into the detail…
The phono stage is a critical component in the analogue chain, required to not just amplify but also to rebalance the sound (the RIAA curve) and match the electrical parameters of both cartridge and main amplifier.
The Dynavector P75 Mk4.1 is designed and produced by Jonathan Davies in Australia and builds on earlier input from both Dr Tominari – the original designer of the cartridges, and Frank Denson of Dynavector Systems in New Zealand.
There are two unique key features retained from previous versions; the internal Switched Mode power supply and PE (Phono Enhancer) Mode.
These have been previously detailed in many reviews including our own
Our earlier page on the P75 Mk3.
You can even find the originial product page for the very first version here.
The actual introduction of this new model has been a protracted process with over two years passing since the original Mk4 slipped out of stock. And what might have started out as a simple resupply has turned into a comprehensive redesign with many internal improvements.
The big change is to the power supply. With previous versions the logic behind the internal SMPS was that it meant the quality of the 12v DC external supply didn’t really matter. This may have been the case many years ago and was critical to keeping costs down but experience tells us otherwise. Many 12v ‘wall warts’ create hums which get picked up by other components so while the P75 may have been immune, it’s how the system works as a whole that matters.
The new P75MK4.1 ditches the old supply and moves to USB.
I’ve been corresponding directly with Jonathan Davies since getting the new unit so I’m going to quote Jonathan here;
“The P75 mk4.1 utilizes the new USB Power Delivery (USB PD 3.1 and above) specification, which is radically different from the older, fixed-voltage USB power adaptors (like the one you linked).
USB PD is a truly great innovation—it is a “smart,” universal power delivery system designed to replace the multitude of proprietary adaptors currently in use. The key difference is that a USB PD adaptor can be commanded to provide a wide range of voltages (e.g., 5V, 9V, 15V, 21V, 28V) and currents (2A, 3A, 5A), with power ratings up to 240W.
The P75 mk4.1 is, to my knowledge, a world’s first for an audio product in using USB PD. The unit and the adaptor communicate using a strict protocol, and the P75 “tells” the adaptor the exact voltage and current it requires. The adaptor I supplied to Denco was carefully sourced to meet strict criteria for high quality, safety certification, and adherence to the USB PD specification. (this is not marketing, I put a massive effort into sourcing this adaptor).
Since the earliest model in 1999, the P75 has incorporated a sophisticated, ultra-low noise internal power supply that “regenerates” the incoming power…The P75 mk4.1 takes this even further, operating at a 1MHz switching frequency*, with the transformer core running at 2MHz—frequencies far beyond the audio band. This design effectively eliminates hum and ensures the adaptor’s quality has no effect on the audio performance.”
Put more simply, the new MK4.1 is extremely quiet in terms of noise floor and the external power supply vastly better so the lift in complete system performance is immediate you’ll hear a lot of fine detail, especially in quiet passages that simply wasn’t there before, hidden in low level noise.
*By way of comparison, in our experience with the NuPrime amplifiers, an increase in switching speed is beneficial and audibly obvious. The NuPrime amplifiers operate at between 550 and 750 KHz and a number of models incorporate switched mode supplies. The introduction of a new GaN based power supply takes this equation even further and proves the importance of power supply.
The improvement in sound quality and resolution has also now made the scope for adjustment within the P75 Mk4.1 more critical but also more rewarding.
A big issue with analogue systems is the wide variability in electrical properties, not just in cartridges but also interconnect cabling, arm cabling and preamplifiers. So while ‘plug and play’ may be OK for entry level systems if you want the best out of your records (and really this is why we keep playing them) the ability to optimise is critical.
In the past some reviewers have quibbled with the use of small internal jumpers for adjustment in the P75. But not understood that this design choice is intentional; driven by sound quality and reliability with a side benefit of low cost. In the new P75MK4.1 the use of jumpers continues but with a much better layout and now better deals with gain switching.
In the first instance we’re happy to set up any new P75MK4.1 for the cartridge you presently own but it’s great to know that should you change this at any stage, the Dynavector can easily be optimised as required.
Which leads us to PE mode and cartridges in general.
The P75MK4.1 is primarily designed to get the most out of Dynavector cartridges, specifically the low output Moving Coil models.
Our first experience with this new phono stage was with the Dynavector high output DV 10XAH – this has the same output as many MM cartridges and even at this level the phono stage shines.
Like all previous versions, the new P75 can operate in two modes for low output moving coil cartridges.
The Phono Enhancer (PE) mode is recommended to get the most out of the Dynavector cartridges as the settings and results are known and always predictable. This is what you’ll hear;
‘I switched the P75 over to Phono Enhancer mode. Cripes, what a difference! I was obviously expecting a different sound and in this assumption I was partly wrong and partly underestimating the differences. Phono Enhancer or Dr. T. mode lifts this stage’s sound quality to new levels and price brackets. The sound produced is still characterised by the great dynamics, neutral rendition and ease of listening shown in the other modes. In other words it’s still the same phono-stage, but it is simply a better version. You can dissect the changes wrought by moving a few jumpers; more bass with even better control, more detail – but it’s the way these things are incorporated into the whole picture that so impresses me in the standard gain modes. Phono Enhancer does an even better job.’ HiFiPlus issue 30.
When using other brands of cartridge some experimentation may be required;
“Shifting over to PE mode in its 4 – 10 Ohm middle setting (the Apheta has a 10 Ohm coil resistance) brought about an increase in dynamics and gain which projected the sound into the room more effectively. The sound escaped the speakers more easily and the thrapping of the acoustic guitar on Joni Mitchell’s ‘The Wolf that Lives in Lindsey’ (Mingus) where the attack and decay were very well served. The focus and low level detail were likewise very strong, it’s a clear-cut sound that delivers good resolution for the money. Accessing the slightly fiddly jumpers once more I upped the PE setting to the 20 – 50 Ohm position which increased the output level significantly and provided better dynamics in the process. Vocals were really well projected and the bass drums on Tom Waits’ ‘Underground’ (Swordfishtrombones) had really big dynamics. It wasn’t the most comfortable of sounds however, and didn’t encourage higher level listening so I tried the middle PE setting, which as Goldilocks discovered, was just right.”
Back to advice straight from Jonathan;
‘Another reason to experiment with other brands is that sometimes the published coil resistance is not accurate.
We also know that with some brands and or models of cartridge PE Mode is not the best choice. The reasons are varied but mostly it is that the particular cartridge’s magnetic circuit design cannot deliver enough energy – sometimes it is only noticeable in loud complex music, but sometimes it is even in simple music in the dynamic peak sounds. The magnetic field sort of “collapses” momentarily. It can sound harsh or sibilant during those peaks.
In these cases, just switch to standard MC mode.’
Despite these cautions, it’s worth knowing that in almost every case the Dynavector delivers the best from your moving coil cartridge.
We’ve come a long way with the Dynavector P75 through the five generations. The PE mode and SMPS have proven enduring but you shouldn’t underestimate the scale of the improvements made. Over the same period of time we have listened to and owned a surprisingly large number of phono stages. The new P75 Mk4.1 is, to our ears, the best yet.
Over the same time we’ve also seen cartridges improve – the new Dynavector ‘A’ series moving coils being a case in point. Turntable design and manufacture has also advanced. And vinyl pressing quality and production has definitely progressed. Let’s not forget the evolution of analogue amplification either.
Taken together, there’s a world of difference in the sound of a record playing system from your younger days and what’s possible now. The phono stage is at the heart of this and the new Dynavector P75mk4.1 is a stand out choice, especially if being used with a Dynavector cartridge.