ZYX Ultimate EX-Astro

New Gold-Silver Alloy Coil Wire (G-S)

In the conventional Ultimate series cartridges, there were three coil wire options: crystal copper, gold, and silver. In the new Ultimate Exceed series, there are two coil types: crystal copper and a gold-silver alloy. Although the resistance of the G-S alloy wire increases due to the alloying process, it delivers a unique, delicate, mellow, and wide-band sound that combines the best qualities of both gold and silver.

New Generator System

ASTRO has successfully developed a generator system that eliminates disturbances in the generator coils by applying special processing to all components of the magnetic circuit, neutralizing all harmful signals. The playback sound you hear for the first time is truly authentic. ASTRO allows you to experience the original sound as it was intended.

Analog audio is an excellent system capable of reproducing infinite time-axis (Z) information in the sound signal recorded on a phonograph record. However, time-related information in the sound quality can alter the original sound due to various harmful phenomena inherent in the electromagnetic conversion system. These include reverse electric current generated in proportion to the strength of the sound signal in the generator coils, eddy currents in the coil bobbin that exacerbate this effect, changes in magnetoresistance and magnetic flux in the DC magnetic field due to these eddy currents, and magnetic field induction of eddy currents in the north and south poles. All these disturbances occur simultaneously at the speed of light, instantly altering the time-axis component of the original sound, which affects sound quality.

Symmetry Damping

ASTRO is the first in the world to adopt a symmetrical structure with dampers positioned both in front of and behind the coil bobbin. Conventional MC cartridges generally use a damper placed behind the coil bobbin to dampen needle movement. However, due to the nature of the material, the damper itself often has mechanical issues, such as non-linear response to compression and decompression, and fluctuations in response depending on the frequency. By damping the vibration of the coil bobbin from both sides, ASTRO eliminates the nonlinearity of the mechanical damping force, allowing the sound signal vibration from the needle tip to be transmitted directly to the rotational vibration of the coil. This results in unprecedented linear responsiveness from minute signals to high-response dynamic signals. Combined with ASTRO's original sound reproduction generator system, you will experience remarkably authentic analog sound for the first time.

Lapis Lazuli Balancing Weight

The spherical object fixed to the front nose of the cartridge is a balancing weight that aligns the sweet spot of the cartridge body with the gravity point of the vibration system. After testing various materials and conducting extensive audio monitoring, a non-metallic Lapis Lazuli ball, with a hardness of 5.0, a specific gravity of 2.5, a diameter of 8mm, and a weight of approximately 1 gram, was chosen for the most optimal cartridge structure. The Lapis Lazuli ball provides an additional benefit beyond centroid control. Due to its composition, which includes various types of sodalite with a spherical shape, vibrating waves from the north pole of the ball are absorbed by the crystal structure within, and the waves running along the ball's surface are ultimately canceled at the south pole.

Composite Carbon Terminal Board

This world-first, ultra-hard terminal board has been employed to lock the output terminal pins securely and statically hold the unit against any external vibrations. Additionally, this terminal board can be grounded to the phono-stage amplifier through the right channel output's ground line. Experience the purest sound with the capacitance between the four terminal pins virtually eliminated.

World’s First C-1000 Carbon Cantilever in a Moving Coil Cartridge

The ZYX Ultimate series (100, Airy, 4D, OMEGA, DYNAMIC, and ASTRO) introduces a carbon cantilever for the first time in a moving coil cartridge. The carbon rod is composed of 1,000 pieces of composite carbon fiber, which gives it the name C-1000 carbon cantilever. This composite carbon fiber is more rigid than aluminum, iron, and titanium, while also having a specific gravity that is only half that of boron. This makes the C-1000 carbon cantilever the ultimate and ideal material for analog record playback.

The carbon cantilever offers the widest frequency range and superior tracking performance. An additional significant advantage is that the mechanical sound signal picked up at the stylus travels directly to the coil via the 1,000 carbon fibers. This design ensures that reflected, repeated, or modulated mechanical sound signals are completely absent, resulting in the finest, most natural, dynamic, and true-to-source sound you have ever experienced.

Cartridge Case for Real Stereo

Design points 11, 12, and 13 place complex demands on the cartridge body's electrical properties. A non-metallic body made from two types of hard materials is required to achieve these properties, prevent external disturbances from affecting the generator system, and eliminate eddy currents within the case that could impact the generator output signal and cause resonance on the body surfaces.

Super High-Speed Reproduction Engine

This circuit is specially processed to nullify magnetic resistance within the magnetic gap, enabling high-speed power generation across the entire bandwidth without time delay. Additionally, this circuit can instantly and completely eliminate any remaining eddy currents.

Micro-Ridge Stylus

The stylus used in the Ultimate series features diamond shank edges set parallel to the sides of the cantilever. This design aligns the hardest axis of the crystal with the contact point of the record groove, resulting in stable and smooth tracing and producing a very refined sound. An added benefit of this design is an extended stylus lifespan of 2,000 hours. The stylus is of the Micro-Ridge type, originally developed in Japan, and offers the highest performance. The contact radius is consistently 3μm, with a ridge thickness of 6μm.

Pure 6N OFC Crystal Copper Wire Generator Coils

This perfect crystal copper wire, produced through a special process, ensures an even sound balance across the entire audible range.