PRO-JECT UNVEILS NEW PHONO CARTRIDGES - TAKE YOUR PICK-IT
Pro-Ject Audio Systems has made its name through award-winning turntables and analogue hi-fi components. However, one essential part of vinyl playback has been mostly absent from their range, until now. With the immediate introduction of the Pick-IT S2 and Pick-IT DS2, Pro-Ject now has a retail-friendly range of cartridges to complement the Pick-IT 25A and Ortofon 2M Silver, which are only available when supplied attached to one of their turntables.
The new models have been designed and voiced by Pro-Ject Audio Systems, but benefit further from being made at Ortofon's industry-leading cartridge manufacturing facility in Nakskov, Denmark.
Pick-IT DS2
The Pick-IT DS2 (£525.00 SRP) is a new Moving Coil (MC) concept. Aimed squarely at the passionate vinyl listener who owns a mid-to-high-end turntable, it is designed to be both easy to set-up and engaging to listen to.
Because of the lower moving mass of a moving coil system – as opposed to a moving magnet (MM) – a more dynamic and detailed sound with low distortion is possible. To fully exploit this, the Pick-IT DS2 makes use of a superior, nude elliptical diamond stylus.
Housed within a polyamide shell, purpose-chosen for its excellent mechanical properties, the Pick-IT DS2 is made using a special Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) manufacturing process. The SLS method utilises a laser to melt the housing material into shape. The end result is a near-resonance-free housing that is still light and has no negative impact on the end audio performance.
The Pick-IT DS2's four connectors on the back are gold-plated, while the sturdy top-plate with three contact-points and threaded bolt-holes ensure both easy and sturdy installation. The DS2 is sold in an attractive wooden box and is supplied with spare bolts and a hex key.
Pick-IT S2
The Pick-IT S2 (£135.00 SRP) makes use of Ortofon's iconic Concorde cartridge body. The Concorde actually began life nearly 40 years ago as a hi-fi cartridge although it has since become more related to DJs. The added benefit of the Concorde design is that you don't need a headshell or any complicated alignment process; just plug it in, adjust the tracking weight, and you're golden.
The Pick-IT S2 is ideal if your tonearm boasts an SME-style lock-nut for inserting a headshell/cartridge. With the elegant silver finish on its optimised polycarbonate housing, the Pick-IT S2 certainly looks the part. Moreover, it promises to deliver an exciting sound with excellent timing and true high-fidelity characteristics via the precise elliptical diamond stylus.
The Moving Magnet (MM) generator within the body brings further convenience to the design, as it facilitates a high output (6mV), for easy system-matching, and also allows for easy stylus upgrades. Thanks to the partnership with Ortofon on this design even more sophisticated Ortofon OM styli, such as the Stylus 20 or Stylus 30 will easily fit the Pick-IT S2.
The Pick-IT DS2 and Pick-IT S2 are available in the UK now.
Technical Information
Pick-IT DS2
- Product Type: Moving Coil Cartridge
- Needle Type: Nude Elliptical
- Weight: 9 g
- Stylus Tip Radius: 8 / 18µm
- Frequency Response: 20 – 24,000Hz
- Output Voltage: 0.5mV
- Channel Separation: 25dB @ 1kHz Compliance Dynamic / Lateral: 14µm / 14mN Tracking Force Range: 2.0 – 2.5g
- Recommended Tracking Force: 2.2g
- Tracking Angle: 20°
- Spool Material: Pure 4N Cu Recommended Load Resistance: 20 Ohms
Pick-IT S2
- Product Type: Concorde Moving Magnet Cartridge
- Needle Type: Elliptical
- Weight: 18.5g
- Stylus Tip Radius: 13 / 25µm
- Frequency Response: 20 – 22,000Hz
- Output Voltage: 6mV
- Channel Separation: 24dB @ 1kHz
- Compliance Dynamic/Lateral: 7µm / 7mN
- Tracking Force Range: 2.0 – 5.0g
- Recommended Tracking Force: 3.0g
- Tracking Angle: 20°
- Internal Inductance: 450mH Recommended Load Resistance: 47kOhms Recommended Load Capacitance: 200 – 600pF
Replacement Stylus: Pick-IT S2 Stylus (£75.00 SRP)
For more information, go to Pro-Ject.
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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