Zyx R50 - Bloom MC Cartridge

[Reffc]

I have 3 available:

http://referencefidelitycomponents.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/r50.jpg

http://referencefidelitycomponents.co.uk/products/phono-cartridges/

Price is £515 which is very competative for a top class MC cartridge!

More information and reviews here:

http://www.bm.rs/Micro%20Benz/Benz%20Micro%20Ace%20-%20HiFi%20News%20July%202012.pdf

http://dagogo.com/zyx-bloom-low-output-moving-coil-phone-cartridge-review

http://www.stereomusicality.co.za/prod_cart_zyx.html

[hifi_dave]

Zyx are not well known in this country but they are lovely cartridges.

[Reffc]

Zyx are not well known in this country but they are lovely cartridges.

...they are indeed David. The R100 always was a particular favourite of mine...really fabulous dynamics and more than a match for my own Shelter 5000 (more neutral too). The 50 delivers really well though...a true all rounder which retains the Zyx family delicacy of detail combined with real authority. Great things!

[hifi_dave]

And at that price it's one of the least expensive MC cartridges available.

[walpurgis]

These are a bargain. Amazing cartridge! Nothing comes near at the price.

[Reffc]

These are a bargain. Amazing cartridge! Nothing comes near at the price.

Agreed Geoff. Great design. I'll be fitting a demo unit to my Gyro/309 so that visitors can pop in for a listen.

[Oldpinkman]

Sounds interesting paul. I really should visit rachel in hartpury soon. I'll phone you to put the kettle on

[RobbieGong]

Yep ! Have also read and heard these are good !!

[Reffc]

Sounds interesting paul. I really should visit rachel in hartpury soon. I'll phone you to put the kettle on

Let me know when and the kettle will be on for you ;)

[Reffc]

Stereophile review on Zyx R1000 Airy:

http://www.stereophile.com/phonocartridges/504ZYX/

Arthur Salvador view on Zyx for which the Airy has made it into his guide for true Reference Components:

http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Cartridges.html#ClA

[Reffc]

Forgot to mention that the three ZR50's I have available are the "H" version which are slightly higher output than the L version. This makes them more compatible with a wider range of SUTs and gain devices particularly where input sensitivity of preamplifiers or power amplifiers might be quite low. H = 0.48mV, Specifications below:

Specifications: ZYX R50 Bloom

Type Moving Coil (Dynamic)
REAL STEREO Generator System
Output Voltage 0.24mV (H= 0.48mV) [3.54cm/sec., 1kHz] or
0.34mV (H=0.68mV) [5.0cm/sec., 1kHz]
Frequency response 10Hz ~ 40kHz
+/-1dB 20Hz ~ 20kHz
Channel separation > 25 dB (1kHz)
Channel balance < 0.5dB [1kHz]
Recommended tracking force 2.0gm [20 ~ 25 degrees Celsius)
Tracking force range 1.8gm ~ 2.5gm
Compliance horizontal (vertical) 15 x 10-6 cm/dyne (12 x 10-6 cm/dyne)
Trackability > 80um/1.8gm
Internal impedance 4 ohms (H = 8 ohms)
Recommended load impedance > 100 ohms
Cantilever material ALMg5 tube 0.38/ 0.3mm dia.
Stylus Line-Contact Solid Diamond
Contact radius 6um x 35um
Output terminals 1.25mm dia. gold plated [EIA}
Net weight 5.0gm

[hifi_dave]

I find the Zyx options quite bewildering but I always go for the highest out of the low output versions - if you get my drift..:scratch:

[Reffc]

I do David.

The confusion lies in the descriptions! The "low output" actually comes in two flavours...as Zyx don't make a true high output version (ie MM equivalent).

They make a 0.24mV "L" version and a 0.48mV "H" version. By comparison, my low output Shelter cartridge puts out 0.5mV. Both Zyx versions of each model are low output in the strictest sense, its just that one has higher output and self impedance than the other. The "H" version is more likely to match a wider range of systems hence it's the one I will probably stock but I can get hold of any of them.

If looking at the Yatra and above, the "L" versions are reputedly the ones to aim for.

The easy way to figure out the range is with a little summary. Of course, anyone with any specific queries on any of the zyx range, please don't hesitate to contact me and I'll be able to provide most of the answers for you:


Range Basically comprises of the following:

R-50 Bloom, R-100, R-100 Yatra (more pronounced mid range), R-1000 and 4-D.

The R-50 is not a budget cartridge in any sense of the word and should not be considered as such. It is as good as if not better than just about any of the competition for the price. I have owned a Dynavector DV20xl and it's better imho than that was, and only marginally more expensive. It is smoother and has more weight with an excellent (and large) sound stage partly due to good stereo separation which sounds better than the figures would have you believe. It's a cracking cartridge for the money if not the best for the money.

The R-100 is where some seriously impressive performance to match some of the very best cartridges happens. It has several options, such as silver or copper windings (all the same price by the way).

The copper windings use ultra pure cryo'd copper. The silver is very pure to start with and is 5-nines silver extruded to order in the USA. It doesn't give a brighter presentation but due to being finer in section, the advantage is less windings weight = slightly better transient response and theoretically lower distortion due to lower inertia of the coil carriers.

The various options (R-100, Fuji etc) are all slightly different, with the Fuji being what used to be the top of the range Zyx.

The R-1000 Airy3 is the latest incarnation of the original Airy and is a favourite world-wide amongst reviewers. The Cosmos is the same cartridge minus some of the bodywork, so say to reduce resonance, a la Lyra and a few others.

The 4-D is the culmination of Zyx's expertise and represents what some argue is the finest low output moving coil cartridge available in terms of neutrality, dynamic behaviour and smoothness.

Hope that helps rather than confuses!

[walpurgis]

I own the R100 H2, the R100 and the R50 Bloom H.

They are each different, surprisingly so, but although being the cheapest, The R50 is in some ways the most enjoyable. As you suggest it is smooth and weighty with a huge sound stage and I find it more 'relaxed' to listen to than the R100's.

Prior to getting my R50, I'd been using a Denon DL103R, which at the time I thought was superb. The first listen to the R50 was a revelation in comparison, the way you became immersed in the whole musical performance was in a different league, the real transparency and very noticeable lack of colouration allows you to forget that you are 'listening to a cartridge' and lets you just listen to the music.

[Reffc]

I own the R100 H2, the R100 and the R50 Bloom H.

They are each different, surprisingly so, but although being the cheapest, The R50 is in some ways the most enjoyable. As you suggest it is smooth and weighty with a huge sound stage and I find it more 'relaxed' to listen to than the R100's.

Prior to getting my R50, I'd been using a Denon DL103R, which at the time I thought was superb. The first listen to the R50 was a revelation in comparison, the way you became immersed in the whole musical performance was in a different league, the real transparency and very noticeable lack of colouration allows you to forget that you are 'listening to a cartridge' and just listen to the music.

You're right Geoff. The R100 is more "hifi" in some ways whereas the R50 is better described as musical (if you'll pardon the phrase) and quite neutral. However, the Fuji "S" is like a super-charged R-50! In comparison with just about any cartridge I've listened to though, the R-50 allows you to simply get on with enjoying music, which is what it's all about. A remarkably well balanced cartridge. The 103, whilst a fine cartridge in it's own right, simply doesn't compare.

[Reffc]

One now spoken for

Two still available. For £515, you'll be hard pushed to find a finer moving coil cartridge!

[Reffc]

I'll have a ZR-50 on demonstration as from next week if anyone would like to pop over for a listen. Just PM me if interested.

[hifi_dave]

Tea and biccies ?

[Reffc]

Eral Grey for you David and Jaffa Cakes ;)