ZYX

The new ‘Ultimate Exceed’ range of moving coil cartridges from ZYX
Put simply, a moving coil type cartridge can be described as a kind of transducer (a device that converts energy from one form to another).
It induces a current, proportional to the vibration speed in the coil. This is arranged in the direction perpendicular (set off at 90 degrees) to the magnetic field line, by the mechanical movements created by the stylus tip tracking the grooves of the record. This creates and transmits a sound signal. It can be called a converter.
To enable faithful, high quality reproduction, it is critically important that the magnetic flux density in the magnetic field (where the coil is located) is uniform.
In the case of moving coil cartridges, which are currently in widespread use, the bobbin is made from material which has a high magnetic permeability and good high frequency characteristics. This means that the bobbin is highly sensitive and reactive to the applied magnetic field. As a result, this type of bobbin gives a signal six times higher than that obtained from a non-magnetic bobbin. Therefore the number of coil turns can be reduced and the overall mass of the vibration system is lowered, allowing wideband reproduction.
We should note that, by using a magnetic bobbin, the magnetic field and magnetic flux density, which should be uniform, may be disturbed by the bobbin vibrations. This is because the two coils used for stereo reproduction are generating left and right channel signals in a disturbed magnetic field. As the left and right channel coils are arranged so that the windings are off-set by 45 degrees from the vertical axis, the ground terminal positions of these coils are located at different points, separated by the coil length. Resulting from this condition, the left and right audio signals are generated in two different disturbed magnetic fields.
In order to eliminate this phenomenon, it is necessary to set both left and right ground terminals within the same magnetic field. As a result, the left and right coils will generate electricity in the same magnetic field, even when that magnetic field is disturbed.
ZYX are the first cartridge manufacturer to develop and implement this unique, ‘one-point ground terminal, dual output system’ and are therefore able to completely solve this problem.
This new system has been implemented in all of the new Ultimate Exceed models.
Now, with these new models, we can instantly and clearly hear the benefits of the homogenous sound reproduction of left and right channels that have been generated in the same magnetic field. We have natural and sensual sound and a truly glorious analogue reproduction. And the achievement of a true emotional, analogue sound that we have been striving for. Striking, intense transients, sharp focus and localization, we can even ‘feel’ the skin of a large drum resonating as if it were a live performance. The Ultimate Exceed models get us even closer to the real, live musical event.


New Gold-Silver alloy coil wire (G-S)
In the conventional Ultimate series cartridges, there were three coil wire choices – crystal copper, gold and silver. In the new Ultimate Exceed series of cartridges, there are two coil types – crystal copper and gold / silver alloy.
Although the resistance value of the G-S alloy type wire increases due to alloy processing, you can enjoy the unique, delicate, mellow and wide-band sound that combines the merits of gold and silver.


New generator system
ASTRO has succeeded in completing the generator system that does not give any disturbance to the generator coils by applying special processing to all the parts that make up the magnetic circuit for the first time in the world, neutralizing all harmful signals. The playback sound that you listen to for the first time is just that. ASTRO enables to hear the original sound.
Analog is an excellent audio system that can reproduce infinite time axis (Z) information in the sound signal recorded on the phonograph record as the original sound. However, the time information related to sound quality changes the original sound into a different sound due to a number of harmful phenomena peculiar to the electromagnetic conversion system generated.
Reverse electric current generated in proportion to the strength of the sound signal of　the generator coils, eddy current in the coil bobbin that promotes the generation, change in magnetoresistance and magnetic flux of DC magnetic field due to eddy current, and further magnetic field induction of eddy currents in the north and south poles. All of these disturbances occur at the same time as the light velocity, and the time axis component of the original sound is thought to be instantly changed in the sound quality.

Symmetry damping
ASTRO has adopted a symmetry structure with dampers front and back of the coil bobbin for the first time by the world.
Conventional MC cartridges generally use a damper that is placed behind the coil bobbin to damp against the needle position.
Due to the nature of the material, the damper itself has mechanical problems such as non-linear response of the compression and decompression speed of the damper and fluctuation of the response depending on the frequency. However, by damping the vibration of the coil bobbin from both sides, it is released from the nonlinearity of the mechanical damping force of the material, and the sound signal vibration of the needle tip is transmitted straight to the rotational vibration of the coil. Sounds that have never experienced linear responsiveness from minute signals to high-response dynamic signals.
Coupled with ASTRO's original sound reproduction generator system, you will be able to feel the tremendously real analog sound for the first time.

Lapis lazuli Balancing Weight
A spherical object fixed to the front nose of the cartridge is a balancing weight to accord the sweet spot of the cartridge body and the gravity point of vibration system. Having checked up materials and repeated audio monitoring, a nonmetal Lapis lazuli ball having hardness 5.0, specific gravity 2.5, diameter 8mm, and weight about 1 gram is put in at the most appropriate position to form the best cartridge structure.
The Lapis Lazuli ball has another important merit than centroid control. Due to its composition blended of a few kinds of sodalite having spherical shape, vibrating wave flown from the north pole of the ball is absorbed in the crystal architecture mingled inside, and vibrating wave running down the ball surface is finally cancelled at the south pole of the ball.

Composite Carbon Terminal Board
This world-first hard terminal board has been employed as the terminal board to lock up output terminal pins and statically holds the unit against any sorts of extraneous vibrations.
And besides this terminal board can be grounded to the phono-stage amplifirer through the ground line of right channel output.
You must listen the purest sound by eliminated capacitance between 4 terminal pins.


World First C-1000 Carbon Cantilever in Moving Coil Cartridge
The ZYX Ultimate series (100, Airy, 4D, OMEGA, DYNAMIC and ASTRO) use a carbon cantilever for the very first time in a moving coil cartridge. The carbon rod is made from 1000 pieces of composite carbon fiber, hence the name C-1000 carbon cantilever.
This composite carbon fiber is more rigid than aluminum, iron and titanium. In addition, its specific gravity is just half that of boron. Therefore we can be sure that the C-1000 carbon cantilever is the ultimate and ideal cantilever material for analogue record playback.
The carbon cantilever gives us the widest frequency range and a superior tracking performance. A further major benefit is that the mechanical sound signal picked up at the stylus can travel through to the coil in a straight and direct fashion by way of the 1000 pieces of mechanical carbon lines. This ensures that reflected, repeated or modulated mechanical sound signals are completely absent. The overall result is that you will enjoy the finest, most natural, most dynamic and true to source sound that you have ever experienced.

Cartridge Case For REAL STEREO
Item 11,12 and 13 of the vital design points make very complex demand of the body's electrical properties. Non metallic body which has two kinds of hard material is necessary in order to achieve these properties, and to prevent external disturbances from influencing the generator system and also it prevents eddy currents in the case from effecting the generator output signal and the resonance occuring on the body surfaces.

Super High speed reproduction engine
This circuit is specially processed to null magnetic resistance within magnetic gap, and enables high speed power generation against signals over entire bandwidth straightly without time delay. And besides this circuit can perfectly eliminate any eddy currents remaining at once.

Micro-Ridge Stylus
The stylus used Ultimate series has the edges of the diamond shank set parallel to the sides of the cantilever. Using this type of stylus, the hardest axis of the crystal is aligned to act as the contact point with the record groove. This gives stable and smooth tracing and produces a very refined sound, with the additional benefit of giving the stylus an extended life time 2000 hours.
The stylus is of the Micro-ridge type, which was originally developed in Japan and offers the highest performance. The contact radius is always 3μm by the ridge made with 6μm thickness.

Pure 6N OFC Crystal Copper Wire Generator Coils
This perfect crystal copper wire produced by special process, in order to achive an even sound balance across the entire audible range.

Technical Data
Type	Moving Coil (Dynamic) “REAL STEREO” Generator System
Cryogenic Treatment	Temperature: -196 ℃ (-320оF)
Coil Wire X type   GS type	X:6N Crystal Copper φ 0.035mm GS:Gold - Silver φ 0.035mm
Output Voltage	0.24mV (3.54cm/sec, 1kHz)
Frequency Response ±1dB	10 Hz - 100 kHz 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Channel Separation	＞ 30dB 〔 1kHz 〕
Channel Balance	＜ 0.5dB 〔 1kHz 〕
Recommended Tracking Force	2.0gm 〔 20 ゜C-25 ゜C 〕
Tracking Force Range	1.7gm - 2.5gm
Trackability	＞60μm /2.0gm
EQ Compliance horizontal   vertical	15×10-6cm/dyne 12×10-6cm/dyne
Internal Impedance	X:4.0 Ω　GS:24.0 Ω
Load Impedance	＞ 100Ω
Cantilever Material	C-1000 Carbon φ0.30mm
Stylus	Micro-Ridge Solid Diamond□0.1mm
Contact Radius, Life Time	3μm×60μm, 2000Hour/2.0gm
Output Terminals	φ1.25mm K18 Solid Gold 〔EIA〕
Terminal Board	Composite Carbon Plate
Dimensions	16.8mm(W)×25.0mm(L)×16.5mm(H)
Net Weight	7.9gm(TB2 pre-mounted), 9.1gm(SB2)