Cartridges
27/09/07 11:30 |
Cartridges
Thoughts differ on cartridges - some argue that as a
consumable, they should not command a huge proportion
of your outlay. Others contend that because the stylus,
coils and magnets are responsible for extracting the
music from your records, you can't spend too much.
We believe it's a question of proportion. Being aware of the weakest link in the chain. All cartridges sound better when mounted on a top turntable and tone arm. The best vinyl front end won't delight if played through amplifiers and speakers that can't convey nuance and dynamics or add in their own distortions and colourations.
We offer two phono cartridge ranges - our own Artisan range and Dynavector.
Dynavector cartridges
We are pleased to be an authorised UK dealer for Dynavector cartridges. As vinyl specialist, we are committed to demonstrating every cartridge in the Dynavector range, including the outstanding XV-1S. Dynavector was founded by the late Dr Tominari, an expert in magnetics at Tokyo University. His detailed understanding of the physics of magnetic fields accounts for his unsurpassed cartridge designs.
XV1-S £2895
Te Kaitora Rua £1995
XX 2 £995
17D £595
20X L/H £395
10X5 £250
P75 phono stage £460
Cartridge exchanges and rebuilds - prices on application.
Click here to visit Dynavector's website (in English).
Artisan Audio Cadenza
This is our top of the range cartridge, hand made in Switzerland to our specification. This cartridge has a very even tonal balance, resolves detail extremely well and delivers jaw dropping dynamics.
Specification
Vented, machined ebony wood body
Solid boron cantilever 0.28 mm diameter
Nude line-contact diamond stylus, mirror polished
Output voltage 0.35 mV at 3.54 cm/s
Stylus geometry 5 x 120 μm
Impedance 38Ω
Loading range 500 - 47 kΩ
Mass 10.7 gm
Compliance 15 cu
Recommended tracking 1.8 – 2.2 gm
Retail price £1200 inc VAT (Europe), $2150 US
Artisan Audio Tutti
This cartridge is a high output moving coil design that exceeds all expectations at its price. We were turned on to this design when auditioning the Morsiani tone arm in Italy. In his system, it performed superbly - rock music was very live-sounding and choral music was reproduced with stunning soundstage width and depth. Don't be deceived by the low price - this is a high performing cartridge that we have worked really hard to bring to market at this competitive price point.
Solid boron cantilever 0.28 mm diameter
Nude diamond line contact stylus, mirror polished, tip radius 6 x 40 um
Pure iron cross coil
Weight 6.8 grams
Output voltage 2.5 mV at 3.54 cm/s
Internal impedance 95 ohms
Freq response 20 - 20 kHz +/- 1 dB
Channel balance better than 0.5 dB
Channel separation better than 35 dB at 1 kHz
Compliance 15 cu
Recommended loading 1000 to 47 k Ohms
Optimum tracking force 1.7 to 1.8 grams
Recommended tone arm mass - medium
Break in period 40 hours
Retail price £295 inc. VAT (Europe), $520 US
Soundsmith phono cartridges
We believe it's a question of proportion. Being aware of the weakest link in the chain. All cartridges sound better when mounted on a top turntable and tone arm. The best vinyl front end won't delight if played through amplifiers and speakers that can't convey nuance and dynamics or add in their own distortions and colourations.
We offer two phono cartridge ranges - our own Artisan range and Dynavector.
Dynavector cartridges
We are pleased to be an authorised UK dealer for Dynavector cartridges. As vinyl specialist, we are committed to demonstrating every cartridge in the Dynavector range, including the outstanding XV-1S. Dynavector was founded by the late Dr Tominari, an expert in magnetics at Tokyo University. His detailed understanding of the physics of magnetic fields accounts for his unsurpassed cartridge designs.
XV1-S £2895
Te Kaitora Rua £1995
XX 2 £995
17D £595
20X L/H £395
10X5 £250
P75 phono stage £460
Cartridge exchanges and rebuilds - prices on application.
Click here to visit Dynavector's website (in English).
Artisan Audio Cadenza
This is our top of the range cartridge, hand made in Switzerland to our specification. This cartridge has a very even tonal balance, resolves detail extremely well and delivers jaw dropping dynamics.
Specification
Vented, machined ebony wood body
Solid boron cantilever 0.28 mm diameter
Nude line-contact diamond stylus, mirror polished
Output voltage 0.35 mV at 3.54 cm/s
Stylus geometry 5 x 120 μm
Impedance 38Ω
Loading range 500 - 47 kΩ
Mass 10.7 gm
Compliance 15 cu
Recommended tracking 1.8 – 2.2 gm
Retail price £1200 inc VAT (Europe), $2150 US
Artisan Audio Tutti
This cartridge is a high output moving coil design that exceeds all expectations at its price. We were turned on to this design when auditioning the Morsiani tone arm in Italy. In his system, it performed superbly - rock music was very live-sounding and choral music was reproduced with stunning soundstage width and depth. Don't be deceived by the low price - this is a high performing cartridge that we have worked really hard to bring to market at this competitive price point.
Solid boron cantilever 0.28 mm diameter
Nude diamond line contact stylus, mirror polished, tip radius 6 x 40 um
Pure iron cross coil
Weight 6.8 grams
Output voltage 2.5 mV at 3.54 cm/s
Internal impedance 95 ohms
Freq response 20 - 20 kHz +/- 1 dB
Channel balance better than 0.5 dB
Channel separation better than 35 dB at 1 kHz
Compliance 15 cu
Recommended loading 1000 to 47 k Ohms
Optimum tracking force 1.7 to 1.8 grams
Recommended tone arm mass - medium
Break in period 40 hours
Retail price £295 inc. VAT (Europe), $520 US
Soundsmith phono cartridges