The first coreless straight-flux cartridge will be demonstrated at Haute-Fidélité show in Paris on the 18th-19th of November 2017

 

We are very honored and proud to be able to demonstrate on the 17th and 18th of November at Haute-Fidélité Paris show a new cartridge using a unique design developed by the Japanese brand Topwing.

Topwing’s philosophy

CDs first appeared on the scene more than 30 years ago. The CD supplanted the LP with alacrity and now reigns as the most popular music media. It’s also true, though, that LPs enjoy a devoted following.

A phono cartridge converts vibration energy, generated by the stylus tracing the sound grooves, into electric signals. This vibration produces secondary (harmonic) vibration, reviving high-frequency components recorded in the master that could not be recorded with LPs. This physical phenomenon cannot be reproduced digitally, but can be expressed as natural analog sounds. Even today, this sound quality is the major reason for the continued popularity of analog LPs.

Nevertheless, TOPWING was concerned, because when the sound quality of CDs and LPs made from the same master tape was compared, the CD was superior in terms of soundstage reproducibility. We wondered whether superior soundstage reproducibility would ever be technically possible with LPs, and whether perhaps there was something in the production process preventing success. This questioning led to our discovery that existing cartridges were not picking up all sound information necessary for sound-field reproduction.

Conscious of the concept of soundstage reproduction, TOPWING develops and produces phono cartridges using advanced technologies and innovative materials.

 

Suzaku power generation: Coreless straight-flux system

The “Suzaku” phono cartridge uses a coreless straight-flux system like its twin sister the “Seiryu”. This  process was developed 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 also 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.

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. Unlike MC cartridges, in which the output line of the coil moves irregularly within the magnetic flux, the output line in this coreless straight-flux system is unaffected by such fluctuations. Moreover, a rubber damper adjusted for optimum recording reproduction enhances compliance.

The difference between the coreless straight-flux method and MM devices can be clearly seen by comparing the Suzaku coreless straight-flux structural diagram on the above right diagram and the MM structural diagram at left. MM cartridges convey fluctuations in magnetic flux to the core material, and the coil picks up the fluctuations. In this scenario, the core has a long magnetic path length and hysteresis loss. In contrast, the coreless straight-flux system is free from any such core effect. 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.

 

※ Stylus replacement is handled by our professional staff after the main unit is sent to us.
※ When a defect other than in the stylus unit occurs, a separate service-cost estimate is necessary.

 

A new approach to housing outer-shell design

The housing of our maiden product “Seiryu” was manufactured with orthodox methods, utilizing Ultra Duralumin, the long-established resonance-damping material of high rigidity, and finished with ultra-precision processing. Based on this production method, excessive outer-shell vibration and resonance effects on sound were largely eliminated.

While this approach is straightforward, it has the disadvantage of adding weight to the cartridge. This led to the concern that the coreless straight-flux system of the“Seiryu”, weighing in at more than 12 grams, might not be fully utilized in certain tone-arm designs, especially the highly responsive designs of recent years.

 

However, liberally adopting lightweight materials gives rise to a certain resonance point in the audible range, which adds undesirable tonal quality to the playback sound. Thus, Suzaku combines materials with different vibration frequencies to “disburse” resonance, a focus completely opposite that of the“Seiryu” , which suppresses resonance through use of high-rigidity materials.

 

The materials adopted in the cartridge include titanium, dry carbon, and high-performance resins classified as super engineering plastics, etc., to replace the Ultra Duralumin used in the“Seiryu” . We selected these high-performance materials, also utilized in advanced industries, based on our efforts to seek out cutting-edge technologies and innovative materials.

As a result, the weight of the Suzaku cartridge was reduced to slightly less than 9 grams, allowing maximization of performance regardless of the tone arm being used.

 

By adopting a revolutionary method called the coreless straight-flux system as well as advanced technologies and innovative materials, Suzaku has achieved coexistence of a natural sound unique to analog and soundstage reproduction never before possible.

You can find the Suzaku Topwing cartridge in our webshop here : http://anamightysound.com/shop/cartridges/topwing/topwing-suzaku-red-sparrow-coreless-straight-flux-system/