Transfiguration
Proteus Moving Coil Cartridge
The reference grade Proteus moving coil cartridge is the new flagship of the Transfiguration line and the evolutionary successor to the legendary Orpheus L. It was no small undertaking to create a cartridge that improved upon the stunning Orpheus - which to many an analog music lover represents one of a few universally acknowledged "holy grail" cartridges. After literally years of intensive R&D, Transfiguration succeeded with the creation of the Proteus.
Transfiguration Proteus with Tri-Planar & Redpoint Audio / © Wes Bender
As much as I like the Axia, I recently heard the flagship of the Transfiguration line – the Proteus. I can only say that the Proteus is simply astounding. Take all of the qualities of the Axia and multiply them by at least a factor of ten. Provided your system is capable of utilizing the extraordinary performance capabilities of this cartridge and if you are considering one in this price range, do not pass up the Proteus.
—Henry Wilkenson / Audiophilia
Design concepts:
- No yokes
- Low internal impedance
- coils lie between 2 magnets
- Intimate coil/magnet coupling
- coils at the crux of the magnetic focus.
Features:
Ultra grade 3S-p-metal core for coil assembly
Newly designed ultra grade 3S-ii-metal square core increases sensitivity by 35dB, improving the signal to noise ratio and eliminating a usual source of distortion.
5N silver coils
A newly developed 5N silver wire which is used in the coils eliminates a common source of distortion and increases transparency to a great extent.
Push pull damping
A special compound has been meticulously designed and fabricated to provide total stylus/coil alignment and control. Its non-sensitivity to temperature change keeps the damping coefficient stable and improve trackability.
Boron cantilever
Newly developed rod for a more natural sound.
Low mass stylus tip
Ogura PA (3 x 30pm) tip. Its function is to reproduce the character of the original recorded sound - not add or subtract its own deficiencies.
Ultra tight magnet-coil coupling
The coils lie between 2 neodymium magnets. With the precision magnetic field focusing possible only with two magnets and superbly accurately wound coils, the ultra tight magnet-coil coupling enables far greater electro-magnetic efficiency.
Dynamic mass minimised and coil saturation eliminated
Much faster, more accurate stylus response to groove formation. Rising dynamics or sharp transients never mask detail.
Twin coils on cantilever fulcrum
Ultra low dynamic mass and mechanical impedance for instant, accurate reaction to every groove detail, including the ability to handle massive transients without overshoot or break-up.
Anti-resonance cartridge body
A unique design for lower coloration. The solid body utilises both shape and material to create a totally inert environment for the electromagnetic elements. These elements are more effectively insulated from arm, turntable and tracing noises, further reducing any tonal coloration of the music and lessening the illusion of distracting mechanical noises. The body provides full, rich musical body, true musical timbres, and natural dimensionality.
Specifications:
Design: Yokeless double-ring magnet musically natural MC cartridge
Body: aluminium, resonance controlled
Cantilever: 0.3mm diameter solid boron
Stylus: PA (3 x 30µm) solid diamond
Core/coils: Ultra grade 3S - µ metal square core with 5N silver coils
Magnet: neodymium – front & rear
Weight: 7.8g
Output voltage: 0.2mV (3.54cm/s, 1kHz)
Frequency response: 10Hz – 20kHz +1.5dB, 20kHz – 40kHz +2dB
Channel separation: > 30dB (200Hz - 1kHz)
Channel balance: < 0.5dB at 1kHz
Tracking ability: > 70µm at tracking force 2.0g at 315Hz
Dynamic compliance: 13 x 10-6 cm/dyne
Recommended loading: > 10 ohms
Recommend’ tracking force: 2.0 g
We're proud to have debuted this revolutionary new cartridge at the 2013 NY Audio Show. Stereophile's Stephen Mejias filed his report on our room here. Give us a buzz or email us to schedule some quality listening time here at the studio.
Phoenix Moving Coil Cartridge
Rising above the price/performance curve.
Following fast on the heels of the spectacular discontinued Orpheus L ($7000) and employing many of the lessons learned during the development of that cartridge, Immutable Music introduces the new Phoenix. Germany's Stereoplay magazine has ranked the new Phoenix in its "Absolute Spitzenklasse," the absolute top class, along with a very few great cartridges, including the Orpheus and the Lyra Titan, all of which cost far more than its suggested price of $4250.
The Phoenix brings an exciting, full-bodied sound with tremendous rhythm and bass impact. With a sparkle on top that never sounds too hot, it may be the perfect cartridge for jazz and classical music lovers. The double-ring-magnet construction ensures the usual Transfiguration musical coherence and phase-linearity, which presents a seamless view into the musical performance. The Phoenix delivers performance at its price-point that was unachievable by any cartridge at any price, even just a few years ago.
Just as the Orpheus advanced the absolute state-of-the-art in what was possible with a phono cartridge in terms of musically natural reproduction of the analog LP, the new Phoenix re-defines what is possible in its price class (and considerably far above it). The Phoenix is the new price/performance leader in the areas of transparency, timbre, bass-impact and articulation...oh, yes, and in the all important JPF factor (Just Plain Fun).
The NEW Transfiguration Phoenix cartridge's silver wire reduces internal impedance/resistance, and features the same coil form and damper from the award winning Stereophile Class A Orpheus L.
The Transfiguration Phoenix resolved a lot of inner detail and did an oustanding job of separating tightly mixed instruments occupying the same spatial and tonal territory... Frank Zappa may have become a digital devotee late in life, but I bet he'd be thrilled with the sound of this reissue played back via the Poenix. I don't care how many times you've played your original pressing of Hot Rats - and I've plyed mine plenty - I guarantee you'll hear things from this reissue you've never heard before. Every one of those things that I heard through my reference system I also heard through the Phoenix. Another great cartridge from Transfiguration.
—Michael Fremer, Stereophile
Noted poet and audio reviewer Garrett Hongo opined about the Phoenix in his UltraAudio.com review.
The Transfiguration Phoenix S is an excellent cartridge with a neutral tonal balance. It is highly resolving, and capable of fine extension, startlingly dramatic and sensitive dynamic shadings, and superior detail... If you’re ready for a new cartridge, I highly recommend that you consider the Transfiguration Phoenix S. Not only does it deliver the goods; at $4250, it’s a relative bargain, a real contender at its price point, and a successful redesign of an established product from a well-known company and a respected designer. Yoshioka-san has a real winner on his hands.
—Garrett Hongo, UltraAudio.com
Technical details:
Push pull damping
A special compound has newly been meticulously designed and fabricated to provide total stylus/coil alignment and control. It's non-sensitivity to temperature change keeps the damping coefficient stable and improves tracing accuracy.
Twin coils on the cantilever fulcrum
Minimizes dynamic mass and mechanical impedance, enabling instant, accurate reaction to every groove detail, including the ability to handle massive transients without overshoot or break-up.
Special alloy core for coil assembly
This increases sensitivity by 25dB, improves signal to noise ratio eliminating a usual source of distortion.
Neodynium magnet
Thanks to the much higher induced magnetism of the neodymium magnet in the rear of the double ring magnets, the coil-turns of the generator have been reduced. It is very helpful to reduce the internal impedance to 7 ohms, which contributes to the improvement in the solidarity with transparency.
Low mass tip
Ogura PA (3 x 30um) tip shares many of the advantages of the flagship MC cartridge "The Orpheus". Its function is to reproduce the character of the original recorded sound - not add or subtract its own deficiencies.
Anti-resonance cartridge body
The solid cartridge body utilizes both shape and material to create a totally inert environment for the electromagnetic elements. These elements are more effectively insulated from arm, turntable and tracing noises, further reducing any tonal coloration of the music and lessening the illusion of distracting mechanical noises.
Specifications:
Design: Yokeless double-ring magnet musically natural MC cartridge
Body: Aluminum, resonance controlled
Cantilever: 0.3mm diameter solid boron
Stylus: PA (3 x 30um), solid diamond
Core/coils: High grade permalloy square core with pure silver coils
Magnet: Neodymium (rear) & Samarium cobalt (front)
Weight: 7.8g
Output voltage: 0.4mV (3.54cm/sec, 1kHz)
Internal impedance: 1-2 ohms
Frequency response: 10Hz - 20kHz +1.5dB / 20Hz - 40kHz +2dB
Channel separation: Greater Than 27dB, 200Hz - 1kHz
Channel balance: Less Than 0.5dB, 1kHz
Tracking ability at 315Hz at the tracking force of 2g: Greater Than 70um
Dynamic compliance: 12 x 10 to the minus 6cm/dyne
Axia Moving Coil Cartridge
Axia - S is Transfiguration's "entry model" that offers performance which is anything but, as it benefits from the technical achievements of their more expensive models. Transfiguration
developed two types of ring-magnet construction. The double, as here in the Axia (similarly the Phoenix and the previous models of Spirit and Aria) place a ring magnet both in front of and behind the coil, allowing the coil to move in a balanced and focused magnetic field. The intimate positioning of coil and magnet creates an unprecedented focus of the magnetic field, resulting in a coherence of the musical presentation that is different from all the others.
Those who place timing high on their list of priorities will recognise the importance of the ring-magnet construction. When a timing (or phase) shift occurs in the complex field of sine waves that combine to re-create the sounds of harmonically rich instruments, e.g. voices, echoes (hall sounds). The possibility arises that not only will the temporal puzzle that is music, not quite be put back together properly but also due to phase-shift, that varies with frequency, may also lead to tonal inaccuracies, contrary to the desire of many who consider it to be a priority. (This is often the case with an inductor and is one reason why Transfiguration cartridges constantly strive for a coil with as low an impedance as possible),
The cartridge has been deliberately and uncompromisingly designed as a top rate product. Mechanically it locates the cartridge on a plane, which provides least variation in tracking angle relative to tonearm movement.
Pete Davey was pretty jazzed-up about the Axia. Not one to wax on endlessly, he concluded his review in Positive Feedback with these few last words:
So, if you want a life changing experience, and want to step up your vinyl game, you won't go wrong with this cartridge or any cartridge from Transfiguration, that is, of course, in my humble opinion. Viva la vinyl!
—Peter Davey, Positive Feedback
Henry Wilkenson shares his observations on all things audio & music for Audiophilia. In his review of the Axia, he summarized its performance spot on.
The Transfiguration Axia excels with all types of music. Its performance will have you revisiting all of your best recordings. I was impressed to the point where I purchased the Axia to use as my reference. Given the performance of the Axia and its price of $2,450, I have no problem recommending this cartridge very highly.
—Henry Wilkenson, Audiophilia
Specifications:
Output: 0.38 mV
Weight: 7g
Body: Aluminium, resonance controlled
Cantilever: 0.3 mm diameter boron
Stylus: Ogura PA (3 x 30 µm) solid diamond
Magnet: Samarium cobalt
Internal impedance: 10 Ohms
Recommended load: Greater than 20 Ohms
Recommended tracking force: 2.0 g
