Phono Cartridges

While several top-shelf analog rigs used Koetsu, Air Tight, Clearaudio, and Dynavector cartridges, a number of new carts debuted at CES and The Show. Benz Micro was particularly active, introducing a new series of phono cartridges–the “S Class” incorporating lower mass coils, improved suspensions and materials, and upgraded styli. There are S Class versions of Benz’s popular Wood Body ($1500), Glider ($1000), and Ace ($700) cartridges. The new LP S ($5000) uses a brass frame, Ebony body, and “evolved ruby square plate generator” to reduce vibrations and control resonance as well as improve dynamics, bass extension, and resolution, and the new “open air” SLR gullwing ($2500) is derived from the LP S, with a frame machined from brass, and a generator similar to the Benz Ruby. Both the LP S and SLR gullwing have an output of .35mV.

Sumiko continues to improve its venerable Celebration cartridge line with the Pearwood Celebration II ($2000), using an improved cartridge body, and an ultra low-mass stylus, and an unnamed yet quicker, quieter, and more resolved cartridge with a body made from Pao Ferro (~$3500), a wood that offers more detail than Rosewood. It uses an Alnico magnet and an enhanced generator and was mated with the wonderful SME 20/12 turntable, Audio Research electronics, and the new Vienna Acoustics “The Music” loudspeakers to produce a very wide soundstage, with excellent focus, transient speed, and coherence.

Oracle Audio was using its new Thalia cartridge ($1500) with its Delphi Mk V turntable, turbo power supply, and Oracle/SME 345 tonearm. The Talia is a high-output (2.5mV) moving coil with an ebony wood body. With its warmer tonal balance, it seems like the perfect complement for the Delphi table.

Soundsmith has new versions (high and medium compliance) of its moving-magnet Voice cartridge ($2200) with sapwood ebony bodies. The high-compliance version should be great in low-mass arms. Soundsmith’s Strain Gauge cartridge (starting at $6000) has a new suspension for improve resolution, imaging, and clarity. Its immediacy, timbre, and transparency makes me want to try it.

Next: Phonostages

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