Alternative names for "ZYX UNIverse" cartridge

Lew,

I've been off skiing for a week, hope this is still helpful. The following is true for all models where we've made a comparison (Airy 3, 4D and UNIverse)...

COIL MATERIALS
X (copper coils): fastest, most macro-dynamic, most micro-dynamic, least slurring of leading/trailing edges, lowest sound floor, greatest "snap"

S (silver coils): less so (analogy: turns a ZYX into a Benz)

G (gold coils): much less so (analogy: turns a ZYX into a Koetsu)


OUTPUT
Low Output/.24mv (but ZYX uses a non-standard test record, so use .35mv for calculating phono stage gain requirements): see the characteristics ascribed to copper coils, above

Hi Output/.48mv (but ZYX uses a non-standard test record, so use .70mv for calculating phono stage gain requirements): see the characteristics ascribed to gold coils, above


WHY?
It has NOTHING to do with conductivity or other electrical properties of the coils. It's simply a function of their mass, in which:

Gold > Silver > Copper
Hi output (2X as many coils) > Low output (1X as many coils)

Reducing the moving mass of the coils on the armature reduces its inertia. Result? Faster responses, less slurring, greater amplitudes.


CONCLUSION
For any given ZYX model, the fastest, liveliest, most dynamic sound will come from the low output version with copper coils (and the SB weight). The slowest, softest, least dynamic sound would come from a high output version with gold coils (and no SB weight).

This is not theory. It's derived from comparative listening and thinking about why we heard what we heard. The differences were very easy to discern.


***

Ldvalve's description of the sound of a nuded UNIverse sounds much like our review of the UNIverse II, which is a semi-nuded UNIverse (UNIverse in 4D body).

Dear Doug, Thank you for your advice. I note that you couldn't resist taking a shot at the Koetsu, any Koetsu. It's OK. I forgive you. I haven't listened to my Urushi in so long I've forgotten whether to defend it or not. Are you sure you were away skiing, or were you just lost in the snow in CT?

I don't necessarily buy your explanation of WHY the 0.24mV copper version of the UNI sounds best, but I do take the point that it does sound best.

It wasn't really a dig (much!)... actually a pretty realistic comparison. Many people prefer a more rounded, relaxed sound... including nakatsuka-san himself! I'm told his personal preference is the gold-coils.

We were indeed buried up here. My Sat morning flight didn't get out until Mon night... 2.5 days shovelling snow instead of skiing it. We had 40" of measured snowfall, 5-6 feet in drifts. I couldn't open the house doors Saturday morning, it was up to the door handles. Had to climb out a window, posthole to the deck and dig the doors out.

I'm open to other explanations of course. The sound is as described. Wouldn't differences in moving mass explain it? Which accelerates faster and corners quicker, a motorcycle or a Mack truck? ;)

I note that you couldn't resist taking a shot at the Koetsu, any Koetsu...

The Koetsus - any - have 2 real advantages

No.1,
Based on their dominant midrange and weak frequencies in high and low they change any harsh, analytical analog System into something bearable.

No. 2.
*Ahem* .... I forgot.....

All three coil versions have the same frequency response out to 100KHz.

Coil mass has nothing to do with the difference. The stylus movements are greater than the coil.

Silver is only 17% heavier than copper. Gold 3X heavier.

Silver has the highest conductivity of any metal, higher than copper or gold.

I have both the silver and copper coil Airy 3 SB's on identical arm tubes (VPI JMW10), that can be swapped in 30 seconds for comparison.

Silver takes a couple of months longer to longer to break in. IMO very similar sound characteristics, with the silver slightly warmer with more apparent high frequencies.

The British ZYX distributor stocks and prefers silver. Copper coil versions are special order.

The choice is a mater of taste.