Time for a new cartridge

I might be too late to this discussion. If not, however, I would like to draw your attention to the Miyaji MEMS cartridge by the Japanese designer H. Sawada (his company is called ARSound) of Hamamatsu. During my last trip to Japan in April, Mr. Sawada invited me to his home to listen to this remarkable cartridge. I liked it so much that I bought it on the spot. I have written about it on Audiogon here: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/recommend-an-mc-cartridge/post?postid=2707495

here is the website of the US importer with more information: https://gestalthifi.com/arsound/

In short: if you are still undecided about your next cartridge, this might be your end game! I myself see it that way, listening to it every day and retrieving "new" musical information from my old records all the time: it's a revelation [and you don't need any phono stage or step-up transformer: the 250 mV output (!!) goes directly into the MM or DAC input of your preamp: as the transduction mechanism operates w/o translating stylus vibration into an electric signal and is amplitude-proportional, RIAA decoding by a phono stage is no longer needed for ground-shaking bass.]

@reimarc that cart looks amazing, I really like the idea. How has it been working for you? There is no pricing on it, what does it retail for?

You said, it goes right into a normal pre-amp input? So no phono stage at all?

Dear @reimarc : " The sound pressure transmitted to the microphone by the shape of the sound pipe is equalized, and the test record is adjusted and aged so that the frequency response from 20Hz to 20KHz is almost flat.. " 

The signal is equalized to conform the inverse RIAA eq.. The cartridge is an amplitude transducer instead velocity one cartridges. Like the strain gauge and that’s why you can’t use through a phono stage just as the strain gauge design.

Now is flat 20hz to 20khz and which is the response from: 12hz to 35khz and beyond these " figures "? because that frequency range came from the manufacturer/designer aand is weird that he does not measured or at least a comment about, only saying.

I experienced 2-3 times with the SG by SSmith and well is a different kind of sound that was not exactly what I was looking for and maybe the MEMScould be.

" retrieving "new" musical information from my old records all the time..."

I wonder how many different eq.has the unit or if no matter what the response is always almost exactly to the inverse RIAA eq. ( flat ).

R.

Dear @mswale,

I don’t know what the cartridge system (i.e. cartridge plus power source for the condenser mikes), goes for in the US. You might want to contact the importer. While in Japan, Sawada-san sold me his personal unit from his turntable for ¥500,000 ($3,343). I guess, it would be about $5,000 stateside.

How has it been working for me? Well, after first installation, I noticed pretty pronounced "rumble" leaving my subs (Linkwitz 521.4 actives) "pumping". I had my old and trusted KAB "Great Sounds Escorts" in-line rumble filter at hand, and after installing it between the MEMS power base and my preamp, the "rumbling" completely disappeared, yet leaving me with profound, well-delineated and extra-dry bass, the way I like it (I hate "boom"). Otherwise the cartridge has been amazing, especially in the treble, where it is crystal clear without the slightest "screeching". Until then I used the new ART-1000 cartridge from AT, because I always wanted to listen to a Neumann design, where the coil is mounted directly above the stylus, eliminating any potential distortions from the cantilever movement (cf.: https://www.stereophile.com/content/listening-157-0). That cartridge was really convincing in its "punch" and vividness, making me sell my beloved Benz Micro LPS-Ebony. I have not yet made a direct comparison between the MEMS and the ART-1000: this will happen when the new head shell for my ViV tonearm arrives next week (btw: best tonearm ever!). For now, at least to my ears, the MEMS sounds completely "absent" from the music, and yet produces a wide-open sound stage, while the ART-1000 - also with huge soundstage - seems to add some sparkle and "oomph". As a scientist, I prefer the un-altered presentation of the MEMS.

Dear @rauliruegas ,

Thanks for your detailed, albeit somewhat technical, comment.

Yes, I saw the frequency response of the MEMS cartridge on the website, and also as an attachment of a personal eMail from Sawada-san. That mail came as response to my question about the ubiquitous RIAA equalization before the master pressing. As you reasoned correctly, Sawada-san pointed out the amplitude transduction vs. the usual velocity/voltage mechanism, which will still produce accurate bass no matter what RIAA equilibration had been used after the recording. But you also argued correctly that there is indeed increasing instability below 20 Hz (as the frequency response clearly shows). As I pointed out above in my response to @mswale, in my case this manifested itself in strong rumble-pumping of my subs. Yet, after installing the phenomenal KAB rumble filter before my preamp, my bass is now super accurate, and dry, even with the organ-fff of Bach's Toccata from the incredible new soundtrack of Walt Disney's "Fantasia" (which makes my whole room and my chest vibrate with the MEMS in place, btw.). So, yes, you are correct that there might be some correction needed, depending on your other components. Interestingly, though: at Sawada-san's home there was no rumble filter: he had his Esoteric TT standing on a solid block of concrete and used high-sensitivity ancient horn speakers ("Voice of the Theatre") plus a Corona plasma tweeter both fed from an Accuphase integrated. To my ears, though, his system sounded "vintage" in the mid-range, if you know what I mean. I much more prefer what I have here at my house (the Corona, however, was amazing!!!)..