Goldring’s history dates all the way back 1906 (!) when brothers Heinrich and Julius Scharf began manufacturing parts for the budding gramophone industry.
The new Ethos SE MC cartridge adds a long list of upgrades over the standard Ethos including new pure silver coils, a low-mass cross-armature core, vital line-contact diamond stylus, new low reluctance pole-shoes, and new pure silver voice coils.
A precision-milled 6082-T6 anodised black aircraft-grade aluminium body shell houses Goldring’s GOL-1 generator, originally developed during vinyl’s initial rise to ubiquity, the GOL-1 generator ensures a smooth and extended frequency response according to the company.
The new Goldring Ethos SE MC Cartridge is available now for $1999 from www.goldringusa.com (US).
Here’s the complete press release:
Goldring redefines sonic possibilities with a Special Edition model of its flagship Ethos moving coil cartridge
World-renowned analogue audio specialist, Goldring, introduces Ethos SE – a special edition of its award-winning Ethos model. Sitting at the very top of Goldring’s range of moving coil cartridges, Ethos SE combines uncompromising engineering with unique new features to produce a cartridge of exquisite sound reproduction capabilities.
Thanks to a raft of exclusive and carefully engineered upgrades – including pure silver coils, low reluctance pole shoes and a black anodized, aircraft-grade aluminium body – Ethos SE sets entirely new standards in terms of detail retrieval, channel separation and low colouration. Even when judged against cartridges costing a great deal more, this new special edition cartridge delivers a totally immersive, thrillingly complete musical experience – which has always been the Goldring ethos.
Key features at a glance
- New pure silver coils feature fewer windings with higher conductivity, reducing the effective tip mass and internal impedance of the pick-up for improved tracking and greater transient response.
- Low-mass cross-armature core made from Swedish iron improves channel separation and produces a more realistic soundstage.
- A vital line-contact diamond stylus features a narrow, low tip-mass, large contact-area that enhances high-frequency response and minimises distortion and colouration.
- New low reluctance pole-shoes ensure smooth and extended frequency response via an exclusive process.
- Low-resonance, aircraft-grade aluminium body is selected for its low density and superior rigidity.
New pure silver coils
Reducing the effective tip mass of any phonograph pick-up will enhance its performance. The Ethos SE relies on Ag 9999 pure silver coil windings which have very low internal resistance and lower mass because fewer windings are used. The coils therefore have a significantly lower mass than our standard copper windings. This means the Ethos SE is better able to negotiate or ‘track’ the record groove without losing contact. The upshot is greater transient response, a reduction in resonance throughout the audio band, and flatter overall frequency response.
Low-mass cross-armature
By using high permeability Swedish iron in a low-mass cross-shape, rather than the conventional (and heavier) square alternative, Goldring improves channel separation and delivers an armature assembly that can produce an extraordinarily realistic stereo soundstage. High frequency detail levels are improved, distortion is reduced, and mis-tracking is all-but eliminated.
Vital line-contact diamond stylus
In order to retrieve the highest frequencies in a recording, Ethos SE uses a narrow, low tip-mass, large contact-area diamond stylus. This vital-shank, nude design has a polyhedral, line-contact diamond profile, and is connected to the armature by a stiff-yet-lightweight alloy cantilever tube. So, as well as having a remarkably good high-frequency response, distortion, resonance and colouration are minimised.
GOL-1 generator
Originally developed during vinyl’s initial rise to ubiquity, the GOL-1 generator ensures a smooth and extended frequency response. It’s still handmade by Goldring, and here it is presented as an example of the company’s ongoing dedication to refinement of every aspect of its design and assembly. Exclusively for the SE version, the pole shoes have been subjected to a new process, which enhances the permeability of the metal, creating a lower reluctance magnetic circuit. This serves to flatten and extend the frequency response, especially in the upper registers where musical detail resides.
Aircraft aluminium body
The GOL-1 generator is fitted into a precision-milled 6082-T6 aircraft-grade aluminium body shell. This material was carefully selected for its low density and superior rigidity – and thanks to its anodised black finish it’s as good-looking as it is durable.
The Goldring Ethos SE moving coil cartridge is available in November priced £1,299 / €1,599 / $1,999
To buy the Goldring Ethos SE moving coil cartridge and discover other Goldring products please visit www.goldring.co.uk (UK) www.goldringusa.com (US).
Specifications
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz ± 2 dB
Frequency Range: 12 Hz – 32 kHz
Channel Balance: within 1 dB @ 1 kHz
Channel Separation: better than 30 dB @ 1 kHz
Sensitivity: 0.35 mV ± 1 dB, 1 kHz @ 5 cm/sec
Static Compliance: 28 mm/N
Trackability: 90 um (@ 315 Hz)
Equivalent tip mass: 0.34 mg
Vertical Tracking Angle: 20 °
Stylus Profile: Vital line-contact
Stylus Radius: 35 x 8 μm (0.3 mil)
Stylus Type: Non-Replaceable (re-tip service available see website)
Load Resistance: 100 Ω
Load Capacitance: 100 – 500 pF
Internal Inductance: 3.5 uH
Internal Resistance: 3.8 Ω
Cartridge Mass: 7.7 g
Cartridge Mass (inc. fixings): 8.5 g (without stylus cover)
Fixing Centres: 0.5 ” (12.7 mm)
Playing Weight: 1.5 – 2.0 g (1.75 g recommended)