NEW My Sonic Lab Flagship Cart -Signature Diamond

[Reference Analog]

The new Flagship My sonic lab cart was quietly announced to the US market today! Below is all we know so far, but I already put our store demo order in so will definitely give more info as it comes

The new Signature Diamond elevates My Sonic Lab’s renowned cartridge technology with the addition of a diamond cantilever,
offering even greater rigidity and precision. Building on the acclaimed transparency and low distortion of the Signature series, the diamond cantilever delivers unmatched speed and detail, setting a new standard for true-to-source sound reproduction.

Designed by master cartridge maker Mr. Yoshio Matsudaira OEM and designer since 1959 for Air Tight, Supex, Koetsu, Miyabi, Audio Craft and more. Formed My Sonic Lab in 2004 to pursue and develop his ultimate dream cartridge.

Master cartridge maker Mr. Yoshio Matsudaira

Signature Diamond
Retail: $14,995
Output: 0.5 mV
Internal Impedance: 1.4Ω
Weight: 13g
Tracking Force: 1.9g – 2.2g
Loading: 100-800Ω (ideal is around 400Ω)
Cantilever: Tapered Diamond
Stylus Profile: Semi-Line Contact
Core Material: SH-μX | Neodynium #50 magnet

 

[Reference Analog]

 

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Received!

 

[Reference Analog]

Don’t mean to be controversial but seems like hobby continues to move in the wrong direction. $15,000 cartridge? It’s hard to envision a world based on the fundamentals of the economy where these types of prices stick long term. Would love to see the pull thru numbers on how many of these sell at the retail price; didn’t know cartridges and other types of goods deserve outsized margins that no other industry garners.

I would love to say that the mid tier market was stronger but we sell more $20k and up products than we do $3k and down. There have been 15k carts for a decade now, so nothing exceptionally new there in terms of pricing. I would say there are more options in every price category now than there’s even been though, which is good for everyone. We also have to look at the trickle down effect also. The more diamond cantilevers there are out there the more likely we will see the prices come down.

 

[treitz3]

That is insightful.

Tom

 

[Mr. Miyagi]

Wait can we dissect this for a moment ?

How can that diamond cantilever have any material (no pun intended) impact on the input costs?

The amount of diamond used is minuscule, likely weighing only a fraction of a milligram. For context, one carat equals 200 milligrams. The diamond in these cantilevers would be far less than 0.01 carats.

Further, there is no disclosure to the original source diamond and its color and other Gia grading so it’s unclear what is even being used.

Let’s assume the range from low to high diamond per carat is currently $2-$4k. Multiply by .01 and that’s $50 IF almost near perfect diamond is being used, which is doubtful. Take the low end and it’s $25 and use lab diamonds and it’s $5.

I would suspect lab diamonds which share same stiffness could also be used.

So, how does diamond cantilever drive the price to $15,000 for the cart?

 

[mtemur]

Wait can we dissect this for a moment ?

How can that diamond cantilever have any material (no pun intended) impact on the input costs?

The amount of diamond used is minuscule, likely weighing only a fraction of a milligram. For context, one carat equals 200 milligrams. The diamond in these cantilevers would be far less than 0.01 carats.

Further, there is no disclosure to the original source diamond and its color and other Gia grading so it’s unclear what is even being used.

Let’s assume the range from low to high diamond per carat is currently $2-$4k. Multiply by .01 and that’s $50 IF almost near perfect diamond is being used, which is doubtful. Take the low end and it’s $25 and use lab diamonds and it’s $5.

I would suspect lab diamonds which share same stiffness could also be used.

So, how does diamond cantilever drive the price to $15,000 for the cart?

I agree with you. No natural diamond is used for stylus or cantilever production, they switched to lab grown diamond long time ago. AFAIK last stylus made from natural diamond was before 2000s but I might be wrong.

The latest lab grown one piece diamond cantilever and stylus costs around $2000 for cartridge manufacturers. M. Fremer mentioned it in some review if I’m not mistaken.

 

[Mr. Miyagi]

I agree with you. No natural diamond is used for stylus or cantilever production, they switched to lab grown diamond long time ago. AFAIK last stylus made from natural diamond was before 2000s but I might be wrong.

The latest lab grown one piece diamond cantilever and stylus costs around $2000 for cartridge manufacturers. M. Fremer mentioned it in some review if I’m not mistaken.

I don’t think $2,000 is remotely accurate.

Lab diamonds for $2,000 gets you 4-5 carats

 

[Maril555]

Wait can we dissect this for a moment ?

How can that diamond cantilever have any material (no pun intended) impact on the input costs?

The amount of diamond used is minuscule, likely weighing only a fraction of a milligram. For context, one carat equals 200 milligrams. The diamond in these cantilevers would be far less than 0.01 carats.

Further, there is no disclosure to the original source diamond and its color and other Gia grading so it’s unclear what is even being used.

Let’s assume the range from low to high diamond per carat is currently $2-$4k. Multiply by .01 and that’s $50 IF almost near perfect diamond is being used, which is doubtful. Take the low end and it’s $25 and use lab diamonds and it’s $5.

I would suspect lab diamonds which share same stiffness could also be used.

So, how does diamond cantilever drive the price to $15,000 for the cart?

Have you discounted the pride of the ownership and obvious sonic benefits?
Every 10% improvement is roughly $10K

 

[Reference Analog]

This isn’t a ring, why would clarity carats etc matter when the point is sound quality? Every diamond cantilever I have heard took the detail retrieval and dynamic response up 2 notches. The signature platinum is a 11k cart so it only makes sense that the signature diamond is more. The Air-Tight Opus is 16k and built by MSL for Air-tight. If the Diamond is better than th

 

[Mr. Miyagi]

Exactly my point. No need to have good clarity thus it’s likely lab diamond and has no intrinsic value. This is a cart with lab diamond. In my opinion diamond cantilevers are not better they are different. And the microscopic amount of diamonds is not the driver of expense; it’s another push the limit on price in audiophile land.

 

[Mr. Miyagi]

Have you discounted the pride of the ownership and obvious sonic benefits?
Every 10% improvement is roughly $10K

This is good point

 

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The comments on this thread are definitely maybe true.

 

[aangen]

I currently have a Signature Platinum. My happiness with this product means I have the Signature Diamond on order with zero interest in examining the Cost/Benefit situation. I am not impressed with some of the comments in this thread regarding required justification for the new price. Don't like it? Keep your pennies in your purse. Good grief.

 

[Dave777tx]

I currently have a Signature Platinum. My happiness with this product means I have the Signature Diamond on order with zero interest in examining the Cost/Benefit situation. I am not impressed with some of the comments in this thread regarding required justification for the new price. Don't like it? Keep your pennies in your purse. Good grief.

Nice System and agreed with you!!!

 

[rDin]

And the microscopic amount of diamonds is not the driver of expense; it’s another push the limit on price in audiophile land.

A good opportunity for competition to push prices downwards...