I remember when J.Carr posted on audiogon about this new design from Japanese company TOWING.
Two models available:
Suzaku and
Seiryu *** It’s Coreless straight-flux system (read below):
"As its name suggests, the coreless straight-flux system has no core material, with the left and right coils arranged in a V shape directly above the magnet. With that, the stylus tip picks up fluctuations in magnetic flux produced by the fine sound grooves, reproducing them into sound directly and thus accurately.
This system does not generate any of the issues associated with MC cartridges, with which the coil output line moves irregularly within the magnetic flux and leads to sound disturbance, or with MM cartridges, with which responsiveness deteriorates due to a long magnetic path length.
Moreover, this system shares the high level of maintainability of MM cartridges. The stylus (needle, cantilever, assembled magnets), coil, damper, and more, are all constructed of interchangeable designs, which allows stylus replacement at 1/10th the original cartridge price.
The coreless straight-flux system is a singular technology that not only retains the advantages of existing MC and MM cartridges but also eliminates the drawbacks."
As a matter of fact I hope some designer builds a balls to the wall Moving Magnet. Like a 5k dollar moving magnet. I’ll buy it.
@jeffvegas unfortunately it’s $14k - $16k and you can
read this review or
that review.
The coreless straight-flux system adopted for the
SERIYU “Blue Dragon” was conceived by Hiromu Meguro, former design assistant of the Grace F-8 cartridge and principal designer of F-9 cartridge, when he was with Shinagawa Musen Co. Mr. Meguro worked on the basic designs of the TX-1000 and Dragon CT players and on the design of the Center-Search mechanism during his time at Nakamichi Corp. Then, the notion that moving magnet (MM) cartridges were inexpensive and moving coil (MC) cartridges were of higher grade pushed to the back of Mr. Meguro’s mind this system’s concept, which was categorized as an MM device despite dramatic differences compared with conventional MM cartridges. This system, which fell short of commercialization even in analog audio’s heyday, is being revived thanks to today’s state-of-the-art technology.
MC’s are COMPLETELY overrated.
I think modern MC cartridges are overpriced for sure, but they have so many fans worldwide, while few people aware of something new on MM territory (like TOPWINGS for example), anyway those new Coreless Straight-Flux cartridges priced accordingly for their buyers (very expensive).
My ortofon 2m black blew the Hana and Lyra out of the water!!! MOVING COILS ARE HIGHLY OVERRATED.
Many people are happy with the same Ortofon model, if you prefer an MM cartridge over more expensive MC it’s fine and nothing wrong with that. I don’t know why people trying to prove something to you. Having different cartridges it’s fun and not all cartridges are good to our ears.
In my opinion there are many better MM than Ortofon, but most of them are discontinued models, you know than MM era is gone, the best MM designed and made in the 80’s. I’ve been looking for them for many years, compared them to more expensive modern MC and quite happy about the sound! If you prefer MM it’s fine. Some of my absolute favorite MM are: AT-ML180 OCC, AT-ML170 OFC, Grace LEVEL II and F14 (Sapphire, Ruby, Boron, Ceramic, Beryllium versions), Pioneer PC-1000 mkII, Stanton CS-100 W.O.S. , Pickering XSV/5000 and 7500. You don’t have to pay $5k for a decent MM, most likely $1k - $3k for the ultimate MM, but It must be a NOS unit to blow your ba**s away.
As you can see for something revolutionary new (MM) they want over $14k today, welcome to the High-End world.
