Kiseki PurpleHeart and BlackHeart N.S. Short Body Cartridges Announced
Kiseki has introduced two new N.S. moving coil phono cartridges.
Kiseki, renowned for its handmade phono cartridges, has added two new models to its N.S. (New Style) range - the BlackHeart and PurpleHeart Short Body.
Kiseki BlackHeart N.S.
First appearing in the 80s, the Kiseki BlackHeart returns as the BlackHeart N.S.
It is still machined out of solid Blackheart wood but is now smaller size has it now sports the short 25mm long body style, like the Kiseki Blue N.S.
The motor is based on the same parts as found in the other current Kiseki N.S. models. Although, the Kiseki BlackHeart N.S. is the first to use a solid nude diamond mounted in and through the 0.28mm diameter solid Boron rod cantilever, instead of being mounted on it. We are told that this results in a mechanically better construction for better signal reproduction as well as higher reliability.
The stylus is a 0.08 x 0.14 mirror polished diamond with a tip radius of 3 x 30 μm. The BlackHeart N.S. weighs in at 6.4 grams and has a quoted output voltage of 0.48mV at 5cm/s and 40 ohm internal impedance.
Frequency response is listed as 20Hz–30kHz ± 1dB with tracking ability at 315Hz at a tracking force of 2.6 grams being 80 μm. However, the optimum tracking force is stated as being 2.4 grams, and a medium mass tonearm is recommended, as is 400 ohms loading. Channel separation is given as being 35dB at 1kHz.
Kiseki PurpleHeart N.S. (Short Body)
Like the PurpleHeart N.S. (Long Body), the 25mm long, short body Kiseki PurpleHeart N.S. is machined out of solid Purpleheart wood. Additionally, the short body style should make this PurpleHeart easier to install on a more extensive range of tonearms.
The Kiseki PurpleHeart N.S. (Short Body) uses a 0.12 x 0.12 Nude line-contact diamond, mirror polished stylus that has a 4 x 70 μm tip radius mounted on a 0.28mm diameter solid Boron rod cantilever and sports a pure iron coil body. All together the PurpleHeart N.S. (Short Body) weighs 6 grams and requires an optimum tracking force of 2.4 grams and is best used with a medium mass tonearm.
Frequency response is quoted at 20Hz–30kHz ± 1dB with channel separation listed as 30dB at 1kHz and channel balance, 0.4dB. The output voltage is stated as being 0,44mV at 5cm/s along with a 40 ohm internal impedance. Again, tracking ability is given as 80 μm at 315Hz using a 2.6 gram tracking force.
The Kiseki PurpleHeart N.S. Short Body has an RRP of £2,995 and the Kiseki BlackHeart N.S. comes in at £3,795. As always, these Kiseki cartridges will be produced in limited editions with the first pieces finding their way to official Kiseki distributors soon.
Visit Kiseki for more information
Jay Garrett
StereoNET’s resident rock star, bass player, and gadget junkie. Jay heads up StereoNET as Editor for the United Kingdom and Europe regions. His passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.
Posted in: Hi-Fi
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