ZYX · Ultimate

Ultimate 100

A high-performance moving coil cartridge featuring a C-1000 carbon cantilever.

The Ultimate 100 is engineered to provide a faithful and direct reproduction of the recorded signal by minimising mechanical interference. As the entry point into the flagship Ultimate series, it inherits the advanced C-1000 carbon cantilever technology, which utilizes 1000 individual carbon fibres to achieve superior rigidity and lower mass than traditional boron or metallic alternatives. At the core of its design is a Real Stereo generator system, meticulously aligned to ensure the left and right channels operate within a perfectly uniform magnetic field. This architecture prevents phase errors and ensures that the sound stage remains coherent, stable, and highly resolved across the entire frequency range. Listeners can expect a presentation defined by neutrality and rhythmic agility. The Ultimate 100 avoids the common colourations found in standard moving coil designs, instead offering an unvarnished window into the recording. It is a capable, balanced instrument that excels at retrieving micro-detail while maintaining a natural, musical flow.

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Key Features

C-1000 Carbon Cantilever

Constructed from 1000 composite carbon fibres, this cantilever offers maximum rigidity and significantly lower mass than conventional materials.

Real Stereo Generator

A refined magnetic circuit designed to ensure left and right channels are generated within an identical magnetic field for perfect phase coherence.

Micro-Ridge Stylus

High-performance diamond cut with a 3μm contact radius for precise groove tracing and an extended service life of up to 2000 hours.

6N OFC Copper Coils

Utilises high-purity oxygen-free crystal copper wire to ensure a balanced and neutral sound across the audible spectrum.

Cryogenic Treatment

The generator assembly is treated at -196 degrees Celsius to stabilise the crystal structure and improve signal purity.

Chapter 01

Manufacturing Process

The Ultimate 100 is hand-assembled in Japan with a focus on absolute mechanical integrity. Every cartridge undergoes a precise calibration process to ensure the hardest axis of the diamond crystal is aligned with the record groove. The internal generator is cryogenically treated to refine the metallurgical structure, a process that significantly reduces internal electrical noise and ensures long-term consistency.

Chapter 02

The Story

The Ultimate 100 was developed to bring the benefits of carbon-fibre cantilever technology—previously reserved for ultra-high-end models—to a wider audience of audiophiles. By focusing on the elimination of mechanical reflections and eddy current distortion, ZYX engineers successfully created a transducer that acts as a transparent conduit for the music. It remains a benchmark for price-to-performance in the current ZYX lineup.

Chapter 03

Listening Notes

This cartridge is notable for its 'clean' and 'fast' sonic signature. It lacks the artificial warmth or heavy bass bloom sometimes used to mask distortions in lesser cartridges, choosing instead to present a wide, deep sound stage with excellent instrumental separation. It is an ideal choice for those who value absolute clarity and want to experience the true dynamic scale of their vinyl collection.

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