Cartridges by My Sonic Lab
Mr. Yoshio Matsudaira (the "My" in My Sonic Lab) has a long history dating back to working with Sugano-san (Koetsu) while at Supex, along with other luminaries in the craft of cartridge design and manufacture.
As an OEM, he has designed cartridges for the likes of Air Tight, Miyabi, Luxman, Supex and Audio Craft, and he continues to design and manufacture cartridges for other brands.
Click here to visit the My Sonic Lab site.
Reading the above, you might conclude that the MSL cartridges have a lush presentation (Koetsu/ikeda). You would be wrong.
Matsudaira-san's tastes tend toward a more balanced presentation - a sonic palette that better resolves fine details but without an aggressive nature. On a continuum from lush (Koetsu, Ikeda) to detailed (Lyra, Van den Hul), we'd place the MSLs about mid-way between the extremes.
Realize that these are generalities ...
One of his more notable achievements is to reduce the coil mass while retaining a reasonable output. Reduced mass is key toward resolving complex musical lines.
His breakthrough development in magnets (SH-μX high flux / high permeability magnetic core) serves this goal of lower coil mass while retaining relatively high output for such low coil resistance.
Rebuilds and Trade-ins
Rebuild price is 55% of new price. The cartridge is stripped down to the body and magnet and is remanufactured - identical to a new cartridge.
Trade-ins / trade-ups are available, toward both MY Sonic Labs and Koetsu cartridges.
Signature Platinum - $10,995
Start with their high permeability SH-μX magnetic core referenced above, which contributes to wide dynamic range, fast transient response, low distortion and high signal-to-noise ratio.
Add a titanium body for resonance control and a boron cantilever which further contributes to transient response (without "ringing") and you have My Sonic Lab's statement cartridge..
Click the thumbnail photo for more info ...
Stylus | Semi-line contact |
Cantilever | Boron |
Magnetic Circuitry | SH-μX core |
Output Level | 0.5 mv |
Coil Impedance | 1.4Ω |
Suggested Load | 100-800Ω (recommended is 400Ω) |
Vertical Tracking Force | 1.9 - 2.2 grams |
Dynamic Comp. | 10 x 10^-6 cm/dyne (100Hz) |
Cartridge Weight | 13 grams |
Body Material | Black Ion Titanium |
Signature Gold - $8,995
The Signature Gold differs from the Signature Platinum in several key areas - most notably with its Duraluminum body and cantilever (vs. titanium and boron for the Platinum).
With a stronger two-component chassis than the Eminent series, higher grade internal wiring and improvements in the suspension, it has a more refined yet more powerful and dynamic presentation in comparison with the Emininent family.
When comparing the Platinum vs. Gold, I would view this in much the same way that Lyra owners view the Atlas vs. the Etna.
The Atlas/Platinum have a slightly more incisive presentation than their counterparts (the Etna/Gold). It's not a better/worse consideration, but you will prefer one over the other, depending on your ancillary equipment and your tastes.
Click the thumbnail photo for more info ...
Stylus | Semi-line contact |
Cantilever | Super Duralumin |
Magnetic Circuitry | SH-μX core |
Output Level | 0.5 mv |
Coil Impedance | 1.4Ω |
Suggested Load | 100-800Ω (recommended is 400Ω) |
Vertical Tracking Force | 1.9 - 2.2 grams |
Dynamic Comp. | 10 x 10^-6 cm/dyne (100Hz) |
Cartridge Weight | 10 grams |
Body Material | Extra Super Duralumin A7075 alloy |
Ultra Eminent EX - $6,995
Positioned in the middle of the MSL line, the Ultra Eminent EX has the lowest internal impedance (and output) of the product line. The Ultra sports a boron cantilever.
Bear in mind that any design is a sum of its parts, but the boron cantilever contributes to the fast transient response and pinpoint precise sound staging.
Click the thumbnail photo for more info ...
Stylus | Semi-line contact |
Cantilever | Boron |
Magnetic Circuitry | SH-μX core |
Output Level | 0.3 mv |
Coil Impedance | 0.6Ω |
Suggested Load | 100-800Ω (recommended is 400Ω) |
Vertical Tracking Force | 1.9 - 2.2 grams |
Dynamic Comp. | 10 x 10^-6 cm/dyne (100Hz) |
Cartridge Weight | 9.5 grams |
Body Material | Extra Super Duralumin A7075 alloy |
Hyper Eminent Ex - $5,495
The Hyper Eminent EX cartridge is made from super hard A7075 aluminum with strengthening measures achieved with an ion surface hardening treatment.
This treatment creates a sandwiching effect and eliminates the inherent resonances of a single material. The result is a 10x harder surface than the body of Eminent EX.
This extra hard body, combined with the warm and natural sound of the Super Duralumin cantilever, makes the Hyper Eminent detailed but never lean sounding.
Click the thumbnail photo for more info ...
Stylus | Semi-line contact |
Cantilever | Super Duralumin |
Magnetic Circuitry | SH-μX core |
Output Level | 0.5 mv |
Coil Impedance | 1.8Ω |
Suggested Load | 100-800Ω (recommended is 400Ω) |
Vertical Tracking Force | 1.9 - 2.2 grams |
Dynamic Comp. | 10 x 10^-6 cm/dyne (100Hz) |
Cartridge Weight | 9.5 grams |
Body Material | Extra Super Duralumin A7075 alloy |
Eminent Ex (stereo) and Eminent Solo (mono) - $3,995
While this is the "junior" cartridge in the family, the Eminent EX shares Matsudaira-san’s unique SH-μX magnetic core (used in the entire lineup). This is non-negotiable, having shown the advantages noted above.
The mono version differs in its coil impedance which is slightily higher, at 1.2Ω than that of the Ex (stereo) version.
The cartridge reflects Matsudaira-san’s design aesthetic which is consistent with the entire family - a very balanced presentation without highlighting any frequencies.
Click the thumbnail photo for more info ...
Stylus | Semi-line contact |
Cantilever | Super Duralumin |
Magnetic Circuitry | SH-μX core |
Output Level | 0.4 mv |
Coil Impedance | 1.0Ω |
Suggested Load | 100-800Ω (recommended is 400Ω) |
Vertical Tracking Force | 1.9 - 2.2 grams |
Dynamic Comp. | 10 x 10^-6 cm/dyne (100Hz) |
Cartridge Weight | 9.5 grams |
Body Material | Extra Super Duralumin A7075 alloy |