We immediately fell in love with Phasemation cartridges. We started by playing the PP-300 versus the PP-2000 and were astonished by the fact that even though those two cartridges are different (the PP-300 is based on the original generator developed for the P1-G cartridge and the PP-2000 which launched the latest generator developed by Phasemation…) the sonic signature was absolutely coherent between both cartridges but… the PP-2000 was proportionally better than the PP-300… and do not think one second that the PP-300 is a level entry cartridge : it is certainly not and can compete with much pricier cartridges.
The PP-500 uses a variation of the generator used by the PP-2000 cartridge. It is even more natural and “alive” than the PP-300. Extremely addictive !
By experimenting with the Phaseamtion cartridges, we discovered that they would work with most modern arms with medium effective mass to high effective mass. If the manufacturer gives there compliance at 100 Hz for 8.10^-6cm/dyne, we measured them at 14.10^-6cm/dyne at 10Hz which makes them de facto medium compliances cartridges. For instance, Technics uses the Phasemation PP-2000 for making demos with the brand new Technics SL-1000R turntable which uses a 10″ version of the SL-1200GAE tonearm, a rather low effective tonearm mass. We do prefer to use them with Schick or Schröder tonearms of medium to high effective mass.
Another point that might be of help : the 0.3mV of output are strong 0.3mV making it cartridges easy to match with integrated MC phonostages who often cannot handle low output cartridges.
Our advice ? Just try them : you will adore them.
The PP-500 was produced by Phasemation just after the successful launch of the PP-2000 flagship cartridge at the end of 2015.
While reducing the cost, the Phasemation team has ensured that the PP-2000’s fundamental performances such as the auditory lateralization, spatial reproducibility, medium-higher tone having high freshness, and lower tone resonance are still significative in the PP-500.
Main feature
1. New design of a magnetic circuit
The technology of the flagship model PP-2000 is applied for this magnetic circuit structure. Therefore, just like PP-2000, we have achieved for this product to provide an excellent magnetic field having high efficiency and uniformity.
Consequently the output is increased without making the vibration system heavier.
2. Improving the trackability by readjusting the vibration system
In order to aim for the best balance of optimum sound quality in this class, we improved the PP-300’s vibration system, adopting the base made of duralumin and tuned this vibration system exclusively for PP-500.
Consequently it is achieved that the powerful sound quality and realistic sensation can be expressed.
3. Inheriting the high quality materials for audio sound
High quality materials for audio sound verified in PP-2000 and other models are inherited and they are well-acknowledged until now for the following parts: cantilever made of pure boron material, magneto coil made of 6N oxygen-free copper wire, pure iron coil bobbin, damper, and so forth.
For the body, the well-acknowledged DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) * coating has been adopted continuously.The unclouded sound quality being well suited for the rigidity and vibration-damping properties have been realized.
*DLC(Diamond Like Carbon)is a generic name of a carbon film to be produced with vapor phase synthesis utilizing ion processing and the high rigidity and high electric insulation similar to a diamond are provided for it.
Product Specification
Power Generation Method | Moving Coil Type |
Impedance | 4 Ohm |
Applicable Stylus Force | 1.7 to 2.0g |
Output Voltage | 0.3mV (horizontal direction of 1kHz 50mm/s) |
Compliance | 8.10(e-6)cm/dyne @100 Hz, 14.10(e-6)cm/dyne @10Hz |
Playing Frequency Range | 10Hz to 30kHz |
Separation | 30dB or more (1kHz) |
Channel Balance | Within 1dB (1kHz) |
Tare | 11.3g |
Stylus Chip | Diamond(line contact / curvature 0.03×0.003mm) |
Cantilever | Pure Boron φ0.26 |
Magnet | Samarium Cobalt Magnet |
Magnetic Circuit Composition Material | Permendur |
Base | Machined duralumin (Diamond Like Carbon processing) |
Body | Machined Duralumin (Diamond Like Carbon processing) |