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Phasemation (Phase-Tech) MC cartridges

"Phasemation" is a word created by combining "Phase" and "Information".

Another Japanese brand with very strong reputation and long history since the 1970's, and another LOMC cartridge I'd like to have in the vaults. I hope this thread will help to put together all information about company and their cartridges. 

PHASEMATION (previously Phase Tech) is a Japanese brand owned by KYODO DENSHI ENGINEERING Co., Ltd., founded by Mr. NOBUYUKI SUZUKI. Its offer includes mainly vinyl-related products - phono cartridges, phono preamplifiers, but also preamplifiers and power amplifiers.



2002
  • High-end audio brand, "Phase Tech", started.
  • MC Phono Cartridge, "P-1" was released as the first product of Phase Tech. The stainless body and rosewood cover were adopted.


 2005
  • MC phono cartridge, Phase Tech "P-3" was released. Its body was made of duralumin and it was coated with DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) having high hardness. 
  • Head shell, Phase Tech "CS-1" was released. Its duralumin body was made by carving and it was coated with DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) having high hardness.

  2007
  • MC phono cartridge, Phase Tech "P-3G" was released. It was an upgraded version of "P-3". Neodymium magnet was replaced with samarium-cobalt one and pure iron polepiece was replaced with permendur.

 2008
  • MC phono cartridge, Phase Tech "P-1G" was released. It was an upgraded version of "P-1". The homogeneity of the magnetic field was enhanced because the yoke-shape for magnetic circuit was designed again. The stainless base was replaced with the carved titanium base and it was coated with DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) having high hardness. The rosewood body was replaced with ebony wood.

 2011
  • Head shell, "CS-1000" was released. It was designed so as to be lighter and a higher sound quality than CS-1.
  • MC phono cartridge, "PP-1000" was released. "P-1G" was restyled a little. The shape of front yoke used for magnetic circuit consisting of samarium-cobalt magnet and permendur was redesigned; thereby, the homogeneity of magnetic field was enhanced. The base made of stainless and housing made of duralumin were adopted.
 2012
  • MC monaural phone cartridge, "PP-Mono", was released. The monaural model has been awaited for a long time.
  • MC phono cartridge, "PP-300" was released. This was a new basic model including the knowhow of PP-1000.

 2015
  • MC phono cartridge, "PP-2000" was released. Consisting of samarium-cobalt magnet and permendur was inherited from "PP-1000". The shape of yoke used for a magnetic circuit consisting of them was redesigned. Therefore the homogeneity of magnetic field was enhanced and the power generation efficiency was enhanced. The vibration system was also newly designed such as adopting the stringently selected damping material. The features of "PP-1000" are brushed up and inherited.
 2016
  • MC cartridge, "PP-500", was released.




... to be continued 








128x128chakster

Showing 2 responses by andysf

andysf
268 posts
 
I have a Phasemation Mono cartridge.  Sounds quite nice but I haven't really used it that much. 
andysf
268 posts
 
I have a serious interest in mono records, both vinyl and 78s and have been checking out the market for the past few years trying to decide what to invest in.
There seems to be a strong consensus that Miyajima mono cartridges lead the pack but I felt a bit hesitant as I am using a Technics 1200 turntable with a medium mass arm. Dealers I consulted assured me that it would work great but, as it is a serious investment, I was hesitant to take the chance. In the end, I bought a used Miyajima Premium Mono to test the waters. It was, indeed, as wonderful as the reviews said but I didn’t feel that I was getting everything I should out of it as it didn’t feel like a good match for my arm.
In this case, I am using the word "feel" literally. Resting my finger lightly on the head shell or tonearm I could feel strong vibrations, especially on the lower range of the music. None of my other (many) cartridges do this. That it still sounds good as it does may be due to my installing a KAB damper on my table.Anyway, I got a chance to buy a Phasemation a good price. I was a little reluctant as the specs (8×10-6cm/dyne, Japanese standard) are exactly the same as the Miyajima. What gave me hope is that this is the same brand that Technics Japan uses when they demonstrate their own turntables. Phasemation also claimed that somehow their cartridges would work with the vast majority of arms on the market.
There was no vibration with the Phasemation and it sounds really good. It has a different sound quality than the Miyajima, a bit less romantic and rich but, to my ears, more "real" and no less engaging. I have come to feel that Miyajima is more of a "fun" cartridge but the Phasemation more "serious" but not in an overly analytical way.
Bit of a mystery to me as to why two cartridges with the same specs react so differently to my arm but my guess is the difference between a wood and metal body.

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