Experience with Sensitive Sound MC cartridges

Everywhere I hop, I see more evidence of their being a serious cartridge company, with other services, rebuilding SME arms, rebuilding stylus, dealers in a few countries with good reputations ...

Darn good price for what they say it is.

I found a Russian Tonearm, no USA dealers, everyone told me "No, don’t do it". After a few months, I had to have it, took a risk, glad I did.

http://newartvinyl.ru/board/detali_proigryvatelja/tonarm_black_bird12_5_carbon/7-1-0-41

You could write NewArt and ask them about using that cartridge in their arm. They are very responsive, their feedback will be a good indicator of how they think of Sensitive Sound.

The channel separation and channel balance specs, if true, should produce superior imaging.

See the somewhat low compliance comments in that review, does it fit your arm?

I would discus your current MC setup with Solypsa re: compatibility, signal strength/impedance, also ask them about compliance with your tonearm.

I see the dollar is strong in Russia now, that helps explain lower costs here, I paid more USD for my tonearm 1 year ago.

I reviewed the web site. It always bothers me when a company designs it's products to look "cool." The specs on the cartridges are good. 
@chakster if you are out there it looks to me like they are using the Japanese compliance rating. You Think? They are using Japanese Styli. Wonder if the cartridges are also built in Japan.
I am not in a hurry to buy one. I would rather see what the reviews look like first and let others be guinea pigs.

That tone arm is designed after Schroder arms. It looks like a CB with more primitive bearings and anti skating. It is not a neutral balance arm and the vertical bearing is far above the record surface. Non of this means it is a bad sounding arm as long as your records are flat. If a Schroder CB costs $5000. This is worth I would say $3000 at most.
What did you pay for it? 

@elliottbnewcombjr I did write to Solypsa already. I gave Erik my system particulars and he did not mention any incompatibility in his reply. I plan to mount the Sensitive Sound cartridge on a Jelco TK-950S which is I think a potential good match. I read somewhere that Mr Roman Lebedev, the cartridge designer has a particular affinity for the SME 3012, which he uses to test his cartridges I assume, and the Jelco 950 has the same topology. One thing I like with Sensitive Sound is that all its styli are of a fine profile, namely the Shibata III, Ogura Micro Line, and Micro Ridge. No use of aluminum cantilever either. That means even if I get the entry-level Splash, I could expect a good performance. I haven't decided which to get (probably I'll get the ART Dark), and I was just wondering if anyone has heard any of these cartridges. I'm using an HW-19 MKIII TT and a c-j EF-1 phono stage. 

You are making assumptions and they are the mother of all F--k ups.
You never want to be the first on your block especially with a small and young company. You have no idea what their quality control is like until you have seen a few of them first hand. Anybody can buy pre mounted styli on boron cantilevers. It is how they are installed in the cartridge that counts and that is a very fastidious process requiring very steady hands
and a good microscope. I have seen too many cottage cartridges with crooked and twisted cantilevers. 
I am not saying these are bad cartridges, I am just saying, "Be careful!"

@chakster Just to clarify a point from your post: The meteorite material referenced  is not stone, it is metal, and used in the generator not the body. Its easy to research these metals. Also basically all high end cartridges are made by an 'enthusiast' so that is a dubious point of contention. Even the big Japanese names are each built by one, or maybe a few artisans...

@chakster My impression is that Sensitive Sound is a serious company. If you like, you can explore local Russian makes for us, such as Sensitive Sound and NewArtVinyl mentioned by Elliott. 

@mijostyn Given you have the funds, would you like to try it yourself? Then you can share your experience. When it comes to cartridges, the more the merrier. I am seriously considering getting one. 

It is fairly obvvious but just to mention:
The Splash/Art series are an easy match to most modern tonearms in terms of weight and compliance, however the two 'large frame' models ( Y12 and T8) really need a higher mass arm. Roman does use/ like the SME 3012 for these but it should be noted he uses the 1950's 3012 series 1, which is higher effective mass as compared to later variants.

My impression is that Sensitive Sound is a serious company. If you like, you can explore local Russian makes for us, such as Sensitive Sound and NewArtVinyl mentioned by Elliott.

It’s only your impression. Russia today is not a producer, Russia is a consumer. What they offer is Japanese parts assembled locally by someone you like to call a “company” @audit84
Regarding Elliott’s Russian tonearm it is another story: metal parts, bearings can be made locally, but for me it’s hard to understand why he like it, there are much better classic Japanese tonearms on the market. Regarding arms like Schroeder it is not good to compare high-end German machinery to Russian handmade. 

chakster Just to clarify a point from your post: The meteorite material referenced is not stone, it is metal, and used in the generator not the body. Its easy to research these metals. Also basically all high end cartridges are made by an ’enthusiast’ so that is a dubious point of contention. Even the big Japanese names are each built by one, or maybe a few artisans...

@solypsa The difference between Japanese or European cartridge designers and unknown Russian dude is reputation.

“Meteorit” in Russian language is a piece of other planet coming from the space. It’s a stone.

The meaning is the same in Wikipedia:

“A METEORITE is a solid piece of debris from an object, such as a comet, asteroid, or meteoroid, that originates in outer space and survives its passage through the atmosphere to reach the surface of a planet or moon. When the original object enters the atmosphere, various factors such as friction, pressure, and chemical interactions with the atmospheric gases cause it to heat up and radiate energy. It then becomes a meteor and forms a fireball, also known as a shooting star or falling star; astronomers call the brightest examples "bolides".

@chakster
True, reputation building takes time. I agree with you on this point!
Regarding meteorite...Wiki 'iron meteorite'. Then you will see the general class we are talking about. From within this general class comes the material Roman has come to prefer. Nothing outrageous here...

For decades Soviet Hi-Fi was nothing but a very bad copy of well know Japanese and European Hi-Fi. We had a poorly made Soviet copy of Thorens, a copy of Technics and so on. We had simplified copy of well know speakers, radios, turntables, reel to reel ... everything.

Looking at SensitiveSound cartridges I see a little bit of Benz and Dynavector ... I see Linn in some other cartridges from SensiviteSound. In in terms of design they can't make their own without copying someone else. 

What is the reason to buy unknown Russian SensitiveSound when original Japanese and European cartridges with very strong reputation available from giants of the industry with 100 years of history or from an internationally renowned small manufacturers ?

Reviews? I’d like to ask @audite84 about his system and his cartridges first. Do you have some other cartridges ? Jelco TK-950S is your tonearm ?

@chakster The reason I want to try is that I would never know if I didn't. It's part of our hobby. With all due respect, not to try a new company because there are well-known companies around does not make much sense. Imagine if people never tried Benz Micro carts when Ernest Benz first introduced them at a time when vinyl was on a decline. Why did people bother buying Hana when they came out when there's Audio-Technica? What would happen to small outfits like Soundsmith? 

In reality, I dare say, every cartridge is a "copy" of the other. Cartridge technology is pretty much set. Designers simply tune their products by choice of materials and design tweaks or little innovations. Good products could come out of Russia, I think it's fair to say, just as there are good products out of China. 

To answer your question at the end of your last post, I'm planning to mount the Sensitive Sound cartridge on a Jelco TK-950S tonearm on a VPI HW-19 with ADS power supply. Rest of the system (not including digital components): c-j EF-1 phono stage, c-j PF-R or PV-10AL preamp (I switch between the two), c-j MF-2100 power amp, KEF Model 105 (restored, not modified). Cables by Morrow Audio. (I also have other systems by the way.)

Aside from the VPI, I also have the Technics SL-150MK2 with SME Series III tonearm and the STD 305 turntable with SME 3009 S2 Improved. Yes, I have other cartridges at present: Shure V15 Type IV with original MR stylus, V15 Type III with JICO SAS/B, Technics EPC-205C MK3, Stanton 681EEE with JICO Shibata, Ortofon MC-1 Turbo (the least among the group), Hana SL, Benz Micro MC-1 and Wood SM. I use the TK-950S for the Hana and the Benz carts. 

I have a bias so won’t comment much more, however:
@chakster don’t dig it? Cool. But it’s a bit rash to make negative assertions on a product you have NEVER seen. What you see from pictures is (for the large frame carts) a magnet array and a field stabilization element. Yep others do it to. And?

@audite84, I just pissed my audio allowance away on Sound Labs 845's,
a Sota Cosmos Eclipse Vacuum and a Schroder CB, an finally M2Tech USB to SPDIF adapter with external clock and power supply. A new cartridge is not in the mix for another year or two. Certainly I am all in for more cartridges. The more the merrier. But there are so many great cartridges out there that are proven that I would love to try.

Mijo, That there is some hefty audio allowance you got.  Do you have enough left over for a milkshake at the drugstore?  You previously mentioned that your new "turntable" (without at that time mentioning what you were buying) was going to cost you $19K.  I gather that is the price of  a new Sota Cosmos Eclipse Vacuum or does that also include the Schroeder tonearm?  Nice rig.  Would $19K have gotten you at least close to a used Dohmann Helix, maybe without tonearm?

Cartridges are not the same if you know a little bit about cartridge design, some cartridges are unique and i can recall many unique cartridges. Respectful designers do not copy other cartridges, even the way it look. I collect cartridges and have more than 60 different models of very rare high-end cartridges (all types).


Great Russian cartridges, tonearms, turntables .... what are you talking about? Is that a bad dream or what? I live in Russia. This is the last country in the world when it comes to phono cartridges! Who is that guy? 

My advice: do not buy it!

You can find some amazing cartridges made in Japan and you can be sure that if you need service it will be first rate service in Japan via distributor.

In America look for SoundSmith cartridges!

If this thread is not an ad of unknown Russian cartridges I don’t understand your enthusiasm.

This thread started with me soliciting for others' experiences of the Sensitive Sound cartridges, because I got curious after reading a review and would like to get one. Thank you for your posts. However, we have shifted to another direction here which does not really help the main question. Quoting Jeremy Clarkson, I would say, "And with that terrible disappointment, it's time to end." 

@chakster I would have thought, given you are in Russia, that you would pick up the phone and ask Roman 'who he is' directly. Of course it is easier to just assume and post accordingly. Have a great night! Hope your (awesome) Luxman decks are playing some tasty tracks for you...

I am VERY GLAD I took a risk and bought my Russian Tonearm. I might have lost $1,000. I just couldn't KNOW what I might have missed.

I respect Chackster, and Vlad, the Russian from Canada who sold me my vintage JVC plinth and TT81. Both said no true knowledge, don't risk it. I waited a few months, but the itch would not go away. 

Like OP, I just had to have it. Why: It was a design I believe in, and it was 12.5" effective length, the original goal being a long arm. 

The JVC 7082 long arm I considered is effective 11-1/8", and most often has the rubber counterweight sag to repair.

I got lucky, what other long arm could I get for $1,000. incl tax and delivery? Arm is now $730. USD add tax/ship

Someday, perhaps my 75th birthday, the Gorgeous Ikeda, 12-1/8"

https://www.islabs.co.jp/it407cr1.html

It costs a bit more than the Blackbird, $7,000 + tx + ship

@lewm , The 19K includes The Cosmos Vacuum, a dust cover, a Reflex clamp, the Schroder CB and a Soundsmith the Voice. I will put the entire set up on my system page when I get It. The table is at least a month away. I have the arm and cartridge. I am very impressed with the quality of the cartridge. As you know I really like the Dohmann. But several issues kept me from jumping for it at this time. I plan on two tables and the next one will fit a Schroder LT. It will have a low impedance MC cartridge and a current mode phono stage. Or it could also have the Strain Gauge. The Sound Labs should be shipped shortly. The Money?
I sold one of my Porsches. The deal was 1/2 goes for renovations to the house and the other 1/2 goes into the Hi Fi. 

@audite84, I gave you my opinion on the subject. If you like going off the beaten path great. I hope it works out well. I like it when posts drift.

@chakster , You are Russian! That's great. Some of my best friends are Russian. We have a Russian supermarket near by where I can get Herring and Sturgeon. Yum.  

@solypsa

I would have thought, given you are in Russia, that you would pick up the phone and ask Roman ’who he is’ directly. Of course it is easier to just assume and post accordingly.

So it was him on audiogon today with all the strange comments deleted by the moderator in various threads? Too bad if you missed that!


This is exactly what I expected! A person who think he’s a god of cartridge design from Russia, against the whole world (just like  president of Russia) according to his comments about some other designers, and personal attacks. Please, I’m sick of this ...

Thanks to my old friends from Europe, I was informed about a certain prankster, Audiogon.. Which suggests a not-so-decent statement regarding the company's sensitive sound. If you have any questions, I will answer them and share my comments.

I think it was you under a different nickname yesterday flooded audiogon with aggressive comments and personal attacks, especially a comment in Russian language addressed to me directly claiming that I hate "Russian product", but the only Russian product here is your cartridge. And personally I don’t care about your cartridge, sorry.

If it wasn’t you then I’m sorry.

But two Russians with almost zero posts on audiogon appeared here in the past 12 hrs (and never posted before in 10 years).

Regarding your company and your cartridges I already posted my opinion based on some facts and I will repeat it again:

Russia is the last country in the world when it comes to phono cartridges! So when users from United States or Europe on audiogon asking for a Russian cartridge it’s so weird (even when your European friend trying to promote them here), because there are amazing cartridges made in USA and Europe since the 70s. BUT most of the greatest cartridges made in JAPAN and you got your parts from JAPAN. Your brand has no history compared to any other cartridge manufacturer from Japan, Europe or USA. So logically when anyone overseas asking for advice the answer will be "No". And it doesn’t mean your cartridge is bad, there is a little chance that it can be good, maybe, but compared to what?

I have no questions for you because I will never buy such cartridge, so if you want to tell people more about your product you can just post here yourself, do not ask for questions, it’s a public forum to share information, not a personal email.

This is great news for you!
Otherwise, the company Sensitive sound, attracted you for Defamation on the Internet and social networks.
Liability for defamation on the Internet is regulated by 128.1 similar to that for the publication of false information in the media or a simple stipulation. In monetary terms, the fine varies from 5 thousand to 5 million rubles, community service: from 360 to 480 hours.

No one disputes this is your choice, and do it yourself.

Roman, you just proved of what I said, nothing to add here. 

And this is just your 2nd post, you're a "perfect contributor" from  totalitarian country act like a typical dictator. Internet is free in the rest of the world if you don't know, everyone can post an opinion. What is false here?  

Now when nearly all my comments removed by moderator in this thread (never mind) let’s face some facts:

1) Solypsa is a North American Distributor of Sensitive Sound, besides him and his potential buyer there are no comments about those carts in this thread from someone who tried them. But wise comments from our member @mijostyn is there and I agree 100%, he said what he said in more political correct manner than me.

2) Russian company instagram and site where you can see manufacturer’s system etc. Unfortunately the manufacturer from Yekaterinburg, Russia chimed in with with zero useful information for audiogon members.

3) Price range for those cartridges in USA: $699 - $6446 ... There are only one relatively cheap model, the rest of them cost $1275, $3500, $6446 :)

Needless to say what cartridge anyone can order for the same prices elsewhere, it could be some of the world best cartridges with strong reputation, almost legendary status and very long history. It could be any cartridge designer/brand such as Koetsu, Benz, VdH, Miyajima, Dynavector Shelter, ZYX, Audio-Technica, Grado, SoundSmith ... you name it. They are all have models in this price range.

Just simple facts, ok? Up to the buyers.


P.S. I know who registered for the first time under different name yesterday to make 15 posts quickly, I’m sure some members noticed that and still can remember the content of the posts too. Especially about material used for generator core by other designers, remember than Sensitive Sound uses meteorite in generator (probably tunguska:) and those cantilevers and styli. You can find my reply here here. Very interesting.

I wish you guys a good luck with these cartridges! 

This guy from Russia still keeps making me laugh!

I don’t understand your irony!
Or are you sure that the best pickups are created and made by Gods ?!

Everyone has their own choice and everyone decides for himself what is closer to him, listen to music or be at the top of the sound!

I want to clarify the company Sensitive  Sound.
Roman Lebedev is the project manager.
This guy graduated from one of the five branch departments of the Moscow State Technical University. N.E.Bauman, created on the basis of large industrial enterprises.

After graduation, he worked in several foreign companies in the USA, Japan, in the field of instrumentation.

At the same time, analog sound reproduction was a passion!

Excellent labs and test conditions for testing any MC cartridges and in my spare time I listened, repaired and tested cartridges for friends, it was a hobby.

By occupation, in 2000 it grew into a professional activity. I met several manufacturers of hand-assembled MC cartridges in Japan, learned and saw how legendary MC cartridges are created and what philosophy of sound is contained in each product.

Basically this is a proven vintage circuit with standard materials that works great!

I have always been drawn to find something special, my own.
Forms of materials, referring to various technical literature, began to study materials science, magnetic properties of various materials, their application and resonance frequency .

Work in scientific activity, writing a thesis on the magnetic properties of metals and alloys.

In 2018, Sensitive Sound in Germany received the Prize of the Year for the research and application of magnetic materials in MC cartridge generators.

And throughout this time, acquaintance with different manufacturers of High End equipment, a lot of work, analysis and testing of new materials, processing technologies used for MC cartridges.
Manufacturers from Japan, Austria, England, USA.

Company Sensitive sound
Equipped with precision CNC 5 D machine tools.

All measurement methods are performed on the world's most accurate measuring complex Brüel & Kjær.

Work and collaboration in the field of research of iron-nickel meteorites, Institute of Metals-Yekaterinburg, Optical Mechanical Plant.

Work is also underway to conduct an independent forensic review for those affected by grey dealers in the MC cartridge market.

The best MC cartridge repair service in Europe was organized using factory reset!

Almost every year and at different times, representatives of Japan come to exchange experiences, meet and communicate.

We are all manufacturers of various devices for listening to music and are familiar with each other.

Today, the company Sensitive Sound, 20 years of experience in research and work in the field of MC cartridges and the most high-tech enterprise for the production of MC cartridges using modern technologies and materials, such as gold-enamel wire, platinum-cobalt magnets.

Many people think that creating a great MC cartridge is easy and simple!

No!!! Years of many days of effort and trials, victories and disappointments, sleepless nights and patience-this is the only way SOUND is born!


     
   I want to express my gratitude to all of you, and God bless you.

I want to clarify the company Sensitive Sound.
Roman Lebedev is the project manager.
This guy graduated from one of the five branch departments of the Moscow State Technical University. N.E.Bauman, created on the basis of large industrial enterprises.

So Mr. Roman Lebedev is not you, good to know.

I met several manufacturers of hand-assembled MC cartridges in Japan, learned and saw how legendary MC cartridges are created and what philosophy of sound is contained in each product.

Interesting, can you mention some names ? Just curious.

The best MC cartridge repair service in Europe was organized using factory reset!

Do you mean Sensitive Sound retip/repair service in Russia or some other service in Europe?

There are many repair services in Europe such as VdH, Expert Stylus & Co., Northwest Analogue just to name a few quite famous.

Almost every year and at different times, representatives of Japan come to exchange experiences, meet and communicate.

We are all manufacturers of various devices for listening to music and are familiar with each other.

What devices are you talking about if it’s not a top secret ? Any specific brands maybe?

I don’t understand your irony!
Or are you sure that the best pickups are created and made by Gods ?!

I don’t believe in God. I must admit It was a bad start for someone of you who posted here on audiogon yesterday under a different name, trying to demonstrate "deep knowledge" to some of us by making some blank statements about some other cartridge designers. About 4 years ago same Russian person discussed Axel’s refurbished Technics cartridges with me on ebay in the same manner. I remember that quite well.

Today, the company Sensitive Sound, 20 years of experience in research and work in the field of MC cartridges and the most high-tech enterprise for the production of MC cartridges using modern technologies and materials, such as gold-enamel wire, platinum-cobalt magnets.

Many people think that creating a great MC cartridge is easy and simple!

So the most high-tech MC cartridge manufacturer located in Yekaterinburg, Russia? Shocking news for the rest of the world, they may never heard about it :(

I thought it’s Reto Adreoli in Switzerland ? Here is a rare interview with him.

Anyway, I think most of us judging by price vs. performance. Exotic materials and unique patents are not always the key to a perfect sound, unfortunately, but always the reason for higher price.

However, it’s nice when a manufacturer (cartridge designer) can personally explain many technical aspects right on this forum. At the moment there is nothing to read, except for a good press release.

If you personally retipped/refurbished many cartridges in your "best in Europe" repair shop could you please recall some proper cartridges that you like. Something that inspired you to create your own. Would be nice to read some brands/models (or maybe cartridge designers from the past or present).

I understand you perfectly, you have hurt your pride and lost faith in humanity, this sensitive sound company from Russia! (

Your arrogance and cynicism go beyond all bounds to show the whole community!
Sensitive Sound sells its products to almost all countries of the world. For more information, visit the manufacturer's website in the Dealers section.

This is more news for you than for the global community.
Maybe you just don't like the analog theme?!

But just a collector or collector of vintage cartridges, and it is very valuable, but only for you.
I could answer all your questions about the magnificent old and modern cartridges , what is the difference, about my know-how and measurement methods,
Soon there will be several articles in scientific journals in England and the USA about measurement methods, frequency characteristics, detonations, emerging resonances and distortions, cartridges systems, tonearms, turntables. and also about what inspires me, but to be honest, I'm not going to do it ... I don't like you as a conversationalist.

I don't want to waste time and get into an argument with a man who is on a submarine and hasn't even seen or heard what he's trying to talk about here!
This topic is closed to you!

P.S.  If a person claims something because they have experienced it firsthand and were personally involved in what they are talking about, then there is something in it, and it is stupid to ignore it.

But if your point of view is based on fantasies and guesses, you have accepted it on faith and believe it to be true, then this point of view is not a reason to defend it with foam at the mouth.

Therefore, any point of view that is not based on your own life experience, personal feelings, experience, or even a taste test may be wrong.
If you disagree with someone else's opinion and experience, go your own way and see how thorny that path is.