REVIEW: Zyx R-1000 Airy Phono Cartridge - Todd Krieger

Model:	R-1000 Airy
Category:	Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price:	$2895
Description:	Low-Output Moving-Coil Cartridge
Manufacturer URL:	Zyx
Model Picture:	View

Review by Todd Krieger (A) on June 26, 2004 at 23:00:54
IP Address: 68.106.53.191

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for the R-1000 Airy

The Zyx phono cartridge line is relatively new on the vinyl playback block. (Zyx is not an acronym- It's pronounced "Zikks".) The R-1000 line is next to the top-of-the-line, and has several options available. The output level is available at either 0.25 or 0.45 mV output. The coils are available in copper or silver. And since the cartridge is relatively light in weight (~ 5.5 grams), it has an optional "silver base" which increased the mass by about two grams. The model number of my particular unit is the Airy 2S SB, the "2" means the higher output, the "S" means silver coils, and the SB means "silver base." One unique aspect for this cartridge is the "clear" body, where you can see the innards. But unlike "nude" designs, it is still protected from outside elements. The cartridge has a boron cantilever and a line-contact stylus.
First a note on arm mass and loading. I have the cartridge mounted on a Schroeder Model One carbon 12-inch arm. This is a medium-high mass arm, yet barely enough for the Zyx cartridge. I used the lighter counterweight to increase the effective mass (because it's farther from the pivot), and the mass seemed just about right. The recommended 100 ohm load impedance made the Zyx sound a tad "closed-in." (As is the case with a lot of cartridges, to my ears.) I found an impedance of roughly 300 ohms to be ideal.
I used a vertical tracking force of 2 grams. The alignments were typical, where the ideal VTA was with the cartridge slightly down in the back. The Zyx is a little more-forgiving of misalignment, but still, the cleanness of the presentation is markedly better when everything is dialed-in. Like the Transfiguration Temper Supreme I once had, the output is phase-inverted. Wiring the cartridge inverted yielded a non-inverted presentation.
The sound- I chose the "silver" coils because I was told it had a "lush" presentation, which I personally equate to superior linearity. And as it turns out, this is what stands out with this particular flavor of Zyx. The lack of compression at higher modulation presented everything as recorded, without the propensity to "blast." Now one might find such a presentation "unspectacular," but it is most-consistent with the real thing. The lack of compression enables the listener to pick up dynamic cues one would normally hear only at the live performance, such as the low-frequency fundamental of cymbals in a symphony orchestra. Heavy bass passages stay separate from the other instruments, where lesser cartridges have the base taking the rest of the music with it. The tonal balance is very neutral, with very little "mechanical" artifacts injected into the music. The soundstage is expansive, with a good sense of "size". Images do project into the room with certain recordings. (Most notably Rush "Signals" and Supertramp "Crime of the Century.") The line-contact stylus traces inner grooves as cleanly as imaginable- It will rarely cue the listener that the end of the side is near. But most-importantly, it delivers the goods with blockbuster recordings like the Telarc Soundstream LPs. With almost none of the "information overload" these recordings often bring forth with a lot of cartridges, including some in a comparable price bracket.
The weaknesses of the Zyx R-1000 are mostly subtractive in nature. Like the Transfiguration Temper Supreme I once had, it does not have that very last ounce of high-frequency "sparkle," background ambience, or holographic image specificity. This is a cartridge that will satisfy the "music-lover" a little more than the "detail freak." I do wonder how this transducer would sound if a harder or more-acoustically-inert body was utilized. I also wonder if Zyx will bring out a sapphire-cantilever line between this R-1000 line and the flagship diamond-cantilever Sigma line. For I do think a sapphire-cantilever version of this cartridge could approach the sonic "Holy Grail" for a lot of vinylphiles.
Overall, the Zyx R-1000 Airy 2S SB phono cartridge is a stellar performer at this price point. It provides a great combination of musicality and sonic performance, and in spite of my minor quibbles, it is a cartridge I can recommend to almost anyone.

Product Weakness: Lacks the very last ounce of resolution and ambience retrieval. Tracks slightly heavier than other modern low-output MC cartridges. Low compliance requires arm of higher mass.
Product Strengths: Very neutral and very honest. A dynamic linearity that delivers the warm sound that distinguishes the best vinyl playback. Excellent timbral accuracy and stage presentation. Brings goosebumps with great recordings. Enables the listener to bear poor recordings. Superb tracing of inner grooves. A clean presentation that will make digiphiles take notice.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Symfonia Opus 10
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Supratek Cortese
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Teres/Redpoint Hybrid TT, Schroeder Model One Arm
Speakers:	Von Schweikert VR-4.5 Mod 5
Cables/Interconnects:	Belden 88281 ICs, Silverline Speaker Cable, ESP/Harmonic/Crescendo power cords
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Everything
Room Size (LxWxH):	19 x 16 x vaulted
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Bybee Signature, Tripp Lite Regulation, Furutech.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Lacks the very last ounce of resolution and ambience retrieval. Tracks slightly heavier than other modern low-output MC cartridges. Low compliance requires arm of higher mass.
Product Strengths:	Very neutral and very honest. A dynamic linearity that delivers the warm sound that distinguishes the best vinyl playback. Excellent timbral accuracy and stage presentation. Brings goosebumps with great recordings. Enables the listener to bear poor recordings. Superb tracing of inner grooves. A clean presentation that will make digiphiles take notice.