ZEN cartridge ?

 I just noticed the substrate the coil is printed on is delaminating.

when it deteriorates it will be the end, a lot is also due to the dust that settles in the space where the reels move.

Victor Direct Couple MC-1 cartride was introduced in 1977, then the MC-2E, MC-L10 (on my image) and finally MC-L1000 appeared on the market in Japan. The coil of the MC-1 is printed micro-coil made by IC lithography process, and sitting near the stylus! They are all quite nice sounding cartridges in my opinion. From my conversation with J.Carr (designer of Lyra carts) I’ve learned that while the MC-L1000 was certainly the most extreme of the range, that is not necessarily the same thing as musical enjoyment, many listeners would probably consider the MC-L10 to be better balanced, less merciless, and more musically enjoyable.  

@chakster

I have no doubts about your statements, but I see that at auctions there is a close fight to get the MC-L1000 when they are put up for sale.

There are always auction battle for those good vintage cartridges. Regarding Victor I can say that MC-L10 is cheaper than MC-L1000.
Anyway, whatever.

It’s interesting that Zen cartridge body is just like Victor MC1 and L10. I have no idea how anyone could make a cartridge body look like Victor without Victor's permission. Maybe Victor was an OEM for Zen? Direct Coupled is JVC Victor’s patent.

Who is Sato Musen then? 

Funny how the Zenn cartridge keeps creeping into this discussion 😉

As for the Sato Musen Zen, my guess is that this was indeed built by Victor, similar or even identical to Kanno’s original design. While the body looks more like the MC-L10, the construction of the coils is as the L1000 (not etched) and the specs are also identical. I don’t know the facts on the Sato Musen brand, but most likely it was a small Japanese operation specialized in audio related products. Apparently they were in the position to request from Victor/Kanno-San a special version with a diamond cantilever, which was never available from Victor.

I have both the MC-L1000 and Sato Musen Zen Diamond and they share the same sonic profile. Both are capable of producing huge dynamic swings that make the soundstage balloon in all directions, seemingly without any limitations. The Zen with diamond cantilever is if anything even more explosive than MC-L1000 with aluminum cantilever. But it also sounds slightly warmer in the midrange, perhaps due to the different body material.

The only other cartridge I know that can manage this sort of dynamics is the original Ikeda 9. This cantileverless design also has the coils directly above the stylus. Reports from other users suggest that the Decca and the Neumann DST, also variations on this ’direct couple’ theme, have the same characteristics. Obviously no coincidence!