The 1022GX cartridge is recommended for the discerning listener as it uses a vital-shank, nude, diamond stylus. This polyhedral, line-contact diamond profile was chosen because it has a very low tip-mass and a large contact area whilst being very narrow from front to back, even enabling the undistorted retrieval of ultrasonic frequencies in a recording. A large contact area means that stylus and record wear are reduced and because it plays lower down in the groove than spherical types, older records may well gain a new lease of life.
Low Mass Pocan Body
The 1000 series uses a strong one-piece body that holds the fixed parts securely in place. Made from a special type of ultra-rigid, glass-reinforced polyester called Pocan, the body can be tightly bolted to the headshell for maximum efficiency and optimum sound quality. The user-replaceable stylus carrier slots tightly into the body with a locating pin preventing unwanted vibrations which would otherwise color the sound. Integral mu-metal can keep the generator parts shielded from hum-inducing stray magnetic fields. Because Pocan has a high strength-to-mass ratio, the overall mass of the G1000 series cartridges is kept below 6.5 g. Low mass and moderate compliance keep the natural arm/cartridge resonance within safe limits for easy matching to a wide range of tonearms.
High-Efficiency Magnetic Circuit
Finely etched mu-metal is laminated to form the pole pieces around which are fitted two formless coils of four thousand turns each. This unique design reduces mass and also makes for a very efficient magnetic circuit producing a higher than average output. This construction also reduces the loss at high frequencies inherent in conventional designs, making for smooth and extended frequency response.
Reduced Moving Mass
The 1000 series uses a unique ultra-low-mass, micro-miniature Alnico V magnet made to a tolerance that can be achieved by no other manufacturer worldwide. Welded to the magnet is a gold-plated nickel tie-bar which provides an earth path for vinyl static charge build-up and stabilizes the cantilever in unwanted vibrational modes. The whole ultra-low-mass assembly is then mounted in a special butyl rubber polymer with optimized damping characteristics.
Expert Adjustment
The correct setting of stylus azimuth (or horizontal tracking angle) is essential for the maintenance of a proper stereo sound stage. Azimuth is the term used to describe the angle that the vertical center-line of the stylus makes with the record surface and this must be exactly perpendicular to the record groove. This is not usually a user-adjustable parameter on most budget decks and so it is vital that the cartridge leaves the factory with the azimuth precisely set. Badly adjusted azimuth can cause uneven channel balance and increased crosstalk between channels which would severely degrade the stereo image.
