Has anyone tried the new Accuphase AC-6 cartridge?

It’s been out in Japan since June 2017. The reviews were pretty decent. But except from some diehard Accuphase fans, I don’t see anyone buying one of these Accuphase cartridges. MySonic’ Eminent GL is a touch cheaper here in Japan, so anyone whos looking for a similar sound signature MC cartridge would just get Eminent GL instead. Also hence the reason why Air Tight doesn’t even bother to release their cartridge lineup domestically in Japan.

Interesting. 

Well, I can't make a direct comparison with my AC-3, as I do not have any My Sonic Lab (MSL) or Air Tight models at hand. However, I do have an Audiocraft AC-03 which was designed by Matsudaira when he was chief designer at that company. This was a low output, low impedance design (0.3 mV and 3 ohms) available until the early 2000's, after which Matsudaira started his own company with MSL. I've read reports that the AC-03 sounds very similar to the MSL Eminent models, even though these later systems have a much improved output/impedance ratio (around 0.4 mV and as low as 1 ohm impedance).

Anyway, when comparing Accuphase AC-3 to Audiocraft AC-03, I would say the Audiocraft sounds immediate, powerful, neutral and very much 'alive' . These are also characteristics often used in reviews to describe the MSL's, so there may well be a strong family resemblance. The Accuphase AC-3 on the other hand has a more refined sonic presentation. It has extended bass, a warm glow in the midband and a smoother high register. Very beautiful, but also less exiting. It seems best suited to orchestral repertoire, where the 'mid hall' perspective allows the music to breathe. The Audiocraft's 'front row' perspective works better with more rhythmic material. So they complement each other quite nicely.

Caveat: the Audiocraft and MSL systems reflect Matsudaira's own sonic priorities. But OEM work for other companies may yield different results and in this case perhaps closer to the Accuphase 'house sound', if such still exists. So perhaps the AC-6 might sound like a more polite version of the MSL. Still with me?

"Apparently AC-6 was designed by Matsudaira of My Sonic Lab, also responsible for the Air Tight cartridges. Both are highly regarded, so I’m sure the new AC-6 will also sound great. But possibly with a different sonic presentation than the earlier Nakatsuka designed models."

In general, what would these differences be?

There was no AC-4 (number brings bad luck in Japan). AC-1, 2, 3 & 5 were all designed by Nakatsuka (of ZYX fame), so will have a family resemblance. I own AC-3, which sounds great.
Apparently AC-6 was designed by Matsudaira of My Sonic Lab, also responsible for the Air Tight cartridges. Both are highly regarded, so I’m sure the new AC-6 will also sound great. But possibly with a different sonic presentation than the earlier Nakatsuka designed models.

Thanks for sharing your experience harrylavo. 

That is Counterpoint's SA 2 headamp, not AC-2.  My bad.

That cartridge is wildly popular as one of the "big boys" in Asia, as have been the AC-5, AC-4, AC-3, AC-2, and AC-1 before it. The only real differences have been in stylus materials and construction. They have just never had a good importer into the USA, although Accuphase seems to have re-established itself in electronics. 

Back in '80-82 the AC-2 made the Abso!ute Sound's top rated cartridge category, although HP's penchant for "mid-rangy" cartridges kind of pushed it aside.  Anthony Cordesman and Pat Donnellycott both liked the cartridge.  I bought and started to use one, then bought two more on the "recently used" market at that time and have used them ever since.....never hear a cartridge I liked better.

My guess is the AC-6 is a superb cartridge, neutral but not sterile.  I don't know about the newer models in the lineup, but my AC-2 sounds best in my Counterpoint AC-2 at 57ohms and enough capacitance to create a -3db drop in the preamp's frequency response at 160kh.  When I used it in my Marcoff PPA-2 battery-driven headamp, I had less choice of loading but it sounded damn good at 100 ohms.  It becomes dull at 50ohms and under.

Hope this helps.