Japanese audio specialist Analog Relax has introduced the EX700, a new moving‑coil (MC) cartridge that draws direct inspiration from the world’s most legendary classical instruments. With a body carved from select spruce sourced in Italy’s South Tyrol region—the same wood Antonio Stradivarius favored for his violins—the EX700 aims to deliver a sonic character as rich and expressive as the finest stringed instruments.
A Cartridge Built Like a Mastercrafted Instrument
Analog Relax highlights the EX700’s unique construction, beginning with its meticulously shaped wooden body. Each housing is coated in multiple thin layers of traditional violin varnish, created from an oil blend similar to those used by luthiers in the 16th and 17th centuries. This artisanal finishing process is designed not only for visual beauty but also to enhance the wood’s acoustic behavior, merging centuries‑old craftsmanship with modern high‑end audio engineering.
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Precision at the Groove
At the heart of the EX700 is a custom, proprietary stylus featuring a line‑contact profile. This geometry allows for broader and more accurate contact with the groove walls, a design intended to minimize distortion while capturing greater nuance from the record.
Supporting the stylus is a boron cantilever, chosen for its stiffness and lightning‑fast responsiveness. Analog Relax pairs this with high‑purity copper coils, a combination engineered to maintain tonal richness, preserve micro‑detail, and uphold dynamic stability across the soundstage.
Advanced Magnetic Architecture
The cartridge’s magnetic system relies on multiple neodymium magnets—arranged to optimize stability and ensure precise control over the moving element. Analog Relax claims this configuration brings together musicality and technological finesse, resulting in a presentation that is both highly detailed and emotionally engaging.
Positioned as a statement piece for serious vinyl enthusiasts, the Analog Relax EX700 carries a price tag reflecting its rare materials and handcrafted approach: $13,500.
For listeners seeking a cartridge that blends old‑world instrument‑making traditions with cutting‑edge audio engineering, the EX700 stands as one of the most distinctive and ambitious designs currently available.
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