Dynavector CL-1 Headshell Lead Wire (Set of 4) at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The CL-1 is a headshell lead wire set from Dynavector (Auckland, New Zealand), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Engineered by one of the world's most respected MC cartridge manufacturers, the CL-1 is built to the same exacting standard as Dynavector's acclaimed CP-1 phono cable, using ultra-fine high-purity copper conductors with strands under 50 microns for a transparent, neutral, and coloration-free signal path. The terminal pins are finished with rhodium plating for hard, reliable contact, and the set includes four colour-coded wires at 40 mm cable length, compatible with virtually all cartridges and headshells on the market. The CL-1 is the upgrade lead wire of choice for vinyl enthusiasts in Toronto and across Canada who demand the highest level of analog performance from their turntable setup.

Pure Copper Signal Path for Zero Coloration

At the heart of the CL-1 is a stranded conductor built from countless individual copper strands, each measuring less than 50 microns in diameter. This ultra-fine architecture maximises flexibility for easy routing inside the headshell while simultaneously delivering a pure, uninterrupted signal path from cartridge pins to tonearm output. Dynavector specifies pure copper with no mixed metals such as silver, a deliberate choice that produces a smooth and natural tonal balance rather than the hyped high-frequency character that silver-blended conductors can introduce. The conductor geometry is identical to that used in Dynavector's CP-1 phono interconnect cable, ensuring consistent metallurgical continuity across the entire signal chain.

Rhodium-Plated Connectors for Precision Contact

Each of the four terminal pins in the CL-1 set is finished with rhodium plating. Rhodium is harder than gold and deposits in a thinner layer, which reduces the risk of sonic coloration introduced at the cartridge-to-headshell junction. The colour-coded design of the connector ends simplifies correct channel and polarity assignment during installation. The inner diameter at the cartridge end is 1.2 mm and narrows to 1.0 mm at the headshell end, covering the full range of terminal pin sizes found on Dynavector MC cartridges as well as the majority of moving-coil and moving-magnet cartridges from other manufacturers. If terminal tolerances are particularly tight, Dynavector recommends a gentle adjustment with a pin tool before installation.

Key Features

• Ultra-Fine Pure Copper Conductors: Stranded construction using individual copper strands under 50 microns, delivering transparent signal transmission with no tonal coloration and excellent flexibility for easy headshell wiring.
• Rhodium-Plated Terminal Pins: Harder and thinner than gold plating, rhodium finish minimises contact resistance and sonic coloration at the critical cartridge-to-headshell interface.
• Matched to CP-1 Phono Cable: Conductor specification is identical to the Dynavector CP-1 phono cable, ensuring a consistent, high-purity copper signal path from stylus to phono stage.
• Colour-Coded Set of Four: Each wire is individually colour-coded for correct channel and polarity assignment, simplifying installation and reducing the risk of wiring errors.
• Universal Headshell Compatibility: Dual pin diameters (1.2 mm and 1.0 mm) ensure compatibility with Dynavector MC cartridges and the vast majority of cartridges and headshells from other brands including Ortofon, Audio-Technica, and Sumiko.
• 40 mm Cable Length: Optimised length provides sufficient slack for routing inside standard headshells without excess wire that could introduce unwanted resonance or signal interference.
• Flexible Stranded Wire Construction: The multi-strand architecture keeps the wire pliable and easy to dress inside tight headshell cavities, reducing installation time and the risk of conductor fatigue.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Dynavector CL-1 headshell lead wire?

The Dynavector CL-1 is a set of four colour-coded headshell lead wires designed to transmit the phono signal from a cartridge to the tonearm headshell with maximum purity. Each wire uses ultra-fine high-purity copper conductors under 50 microns in diameter and rhodium-plated terminal pins, built to the same conductor standard as the Dynavector CP-1 phono cable. The set is manufactured in New Zealand by Dynavector, a company with decades of expertise in moving-coil cartridge design.

How does the Dynavector CL-1 compare to the Ortofon LW-800S or Audio-Technica headshell leads?

The Dynavector CL-1 distinguishes itself through its exclusive use of pure copper conductors with no silver blending, a deliberate choice for smooth tonal neutrality rather than the emphasised high-frequency character that silver-alloy leads such as the Ortofon LW-800S can introduce. The rhodium-plated pins of the CL-1 provide a harder contact surface than the gold plating found on many stock and aftermarket lead wires, including standard Audio-Technica headshell leads, which proponents argue reduces micro-level coloration at the critical cartridge contact point. The CL-1 also shares its conductor geometry with Dynavector's own CP-1 phono cable, allowing for a fully matched copper signal chain from stylus to phono stage.

Will the Dynavector CL-1 work with cartridges other than Dynavector models?

Yes, the Dynavector CL-1 is compatible with the vast majority of phono cartridges and headshells available on the market. The dual-diameter terminal pins (1.2 mm and 1.0 mm) are sized to fit standard cartridge pins found on moving-coil and moving-magnet designs from brands including Ortofon, Sumiko, Hana, Shelter, and Audio-Technica. Dynavector recommends using a pin tool to gently adjust the connector opening if the fit is tight due to minor manufacturing tolerances in the cartridge terminals.

What is the benefit of rhodium plating on headshell lead wire connectors?

Rhodium plating on headshell lead wire connectors provides a harder, thinner contact surface than conventional gold plating. The increased hardness of rhodium means the plating layer can be applied more thinly while still resisting oxidation and wear, resulting in a more direct metal-to-metal contact at the cartridge pin junction. Audiophiles who have compared rhodium to gold-plated leads consistently report that rhodium reduces perceived coloration, particularly a slight warmth or softness that gold plating can introduce into the signal. The Dynavector CL-1 uses rhodium plating on all four connectors for this reason.

Can the Dynavector CL-1 improve the sound of an existing cartridge setup?

Yes, upgrading worn or low-quality stock headshell lead wires to the Dynavector CL-1 is one of the most cost-effective refinements available in an analog turntable system. The headshell leads carry the cartridge's output signal at its most vulnerable point, before any amplification, so any resistance, oxidation, or coloration introduced at this junction affects the entire downstream signal chain. Replacing degraded leads with the CL-1's high-purity copper conductors and rhodium-plated pins can restore channel balance, improve transient clarity, and reduce veiling in the mid and high frequencies.

How do I install the Dynavector CL-1 headshell lead wires?

Installation of the Dynavector CL-1 follows the standard headshell wiring convention. The colour-coded wires correspond to the four cartridge pins: left channel positive (white), left channel negative (blue), right channel positive (red), and right channel negative (green). Connect each wire to the matching pin on the cartridge and route it through the headshell body to the corresponding tonearm contact. The flexible stranded construction of the CL-1 makes the wires easy to handle and position inside the headshell. If any connector fits too tightly onto a cartridge pin, Dynavector recommends widening the opening gently with a pin tool before applying force.

Where can I buy the Dynavector CL-1 headshell lead wires in Toronto or Canada?

The Dynavector CL-1 headshell lead wire set is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorised Dynavector dealer located in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound stocks a curated selection of analog accessories alongside turntables, cartridges, phono stages, and hi-fi separates. Customers across Canada can purchase the CL-1 through Vinyl Sound's online store, and Toronto-area customers are welcome to visit in person for hands-on advice and demonstration.