EXCEL SOUND "Etsuro Urushi COBALT BLUE" MC cartridge

A crystallization of Japanese style and technology. Realized with cobalt blue lacquer and super duralumin base.High-Fidelityand low price

"Etsuro Urushi COBALT BLUE" is the second version of the original model "Etsuro Urushi" released in November 2015, while achieving a lower price.High-FidelityThis is a product that inherited the.

Design changes to improve cost performance

• Adopts extra super duralumin base: The heart of the cartridge base has been changed from the previous model's sapphire to extra-super duralumin (A7075 material). This change has made the product more affordable.
• Inheritance of major components: It inherits many of the features of the original model, such as the 80μm stylus tip, sapphire pipe cantilever, and extra super duralumin housing.

Reproduction using high-hardness sapphire and ultra-precision chips

• High hardness sapphire cantilever: Adopts ϕ0.4mm ultra-precision sapphire pipe material. Due to its high hardness, second only to diamond, it has excellent high-speed signal transmission without distortion, and provides clear sound.
• Microline diamond tip: The stylus tip uses a "Microline Diamond tip," which has a curvature of 80μ on the contact surface to the sound groove of a record. Achieves high playback characteristics in a wide frequency band.
• Magnetic circuit: Based on a combination of electromagnetic soft iron and samarium cobalt magnets, it achieves magnetic properties that harmonize with coil vibration.

Cobalt blue lacquer painting (traditional Japanese craft)

• Special processing of the housing: The housing (made of A7075) is specially strengthened and then lacquered, a traditional Japanese craft, for a luxurious finish.
• Adoption of cobalt blue: It features a bright cobalt blue coloring, which was chosen after careful consideration with Sakamoto Otozo Shoten, which performs lacquer painting.
• Resonance suppression: When the lacquer hardens, it forms a strong coating that can withstand high heat and adheres strongly to the housing. This suppresses the noise peculiar to duralumin and contributes to sound quality.
• Small works of art: The splendid luster and texture of lacquer is truly a small work of art, the result of a combination of craftsmanship with over half a century of experience and experience, and a plan that aims for excellence.

The strength of the core is added to the high transparency.

Etsuro/Urushi COBALT BLUE gives the impression that the core and driving force of the sound has been further strengthened while maintaining the high transparency common to the series. The silence in the background is very deep, and the sound image that rises from it is clear and its outline stands out even more clearly. The contrast between stillness and movement is vivid, and the energy of the music is conveyed directly.

Sound image localization and sense of speed

Localization accuracy is at a remarkable level, with the sound image strongly focused in the center, and rich in depth expression in the front and rear directions. In COBALT BLUE, the speed of the rise in sound is particularly impressive, and the sharpness of the rhythm and sharpness of the attack are outstanding. Even in orchestral tutti and jazz ensembles, the sound is not slow and you can feel the high instantaneous power.

Band balance and expressiveness

The low range is tight, and the way it comes out emphasizes braking power rather than volume. The midrange is dense, with a clear sense of substance for vocals and stringed instruments. The high range is very spacious, naturally depicting fine overtones and a sense of air, but there is no exciting hardness. Overall, it feels a little sharper and has a more modern balance than Etsuro/Urushi.

Amount of information and “good visibility”

The amount of information is extremely high, yet the sound is well-organized, with no sense of muddiness. Even in complex recordings, each part is clearly separated, creating a transparent soundstage. It consistently reflects the quality of the recording itself: on good records, it delivers overwhelming realism, while on lesser recordings, it faithfully reproduces their natural character.

The Character of Cobalt Blue

COBALT BLUE can be described as a model that adds speed and power to the silence and transparency that are the strengths of Etsuro and Urushi. In classical music, its expression of dynamics and depth stands out, while in jazz and rock, the crisp rhythm and drive are pleasing. It is impressive in that it does not become overly analytical and retains a strong sense of musical uplift.

Excellence as a High-End MC

The series as a whole emphasizes pure reproduction without relying on flashy effects, and among them, COALT BLUE is a choice for users who prioritize "power" and "agility." It is a very highly developed MC cartridge that achieves both high resolution and musicality at a high level.