2023 Golden Ear: My Sonic Lab Signature Gold Moving-Coil Cartridge

$8995

Founded in 2004 by Yoshio Matsudaira, a onetime colleague of Koetsu founder Yoshiaki Sugano, My Sonic Lab designs are distinguished by Matsudaira’s unique SH-μX magnetic core, a special material with higher permeability and flux density than the typical iron core material used in many mc cartridges. It also allows My Sonic Lab to use fewer coil windings than other mc’s, “minimizing distortions and maximizing signal output. The high-efficiency approach translates into wide dynamic range, fast transient response, low distortion, and a high signal-to-noise ratio.” Second down in the line from the top Signature Platinum model, which I haven’t heard, I settled on the Gold as my reference for its unusually “alive” presentation, capable of sounding both vibrant and delicate, albeit with no lack of tonal richness or textural detail. It also throws an impressively wide and deep soundstage that is laser-focused, with naturally wide as well as nuanced dynamics that really pop. It also tracks flawlessly. Need I add that the description of any single component must be considered in the context of the system it is reviewed in? In some, the Signature Gold’s strengths may be less attractive than the warmer sound of, say, a Koetsu. But in my system, this My Sonic design hits all the right notes. Pun absolutely intended. (317)