Transfiguration users

[tima]

Perhaps you can use a translator on this Japanese page.

This uses DeepL for translation of HAYATE info, as googl limits text to 3900 characters:

"Mutek is a brand launched by Eiji Kanda in 2015 as a cutting-edge manufacturer of only MC-type cartridges. Since the first LH-M, MUTEC has consistently employed its proprietary yoke-less ring magnet magnetic circuit to produce products with high conversion efficiency and excellent linearity.

The new “RM-HAYATE” is a new generation model that incorporates MUTEC's know-how, and by simplifying the magnetic circuit to the utmost limit, we have further improved sound quality.

Eiji Kanda, who presided over MUTEC, sadly passed away in 2020.
Under the production of Kajihara Lab, which inherited Kanda's will and know-how, each product is manufactured by Akiko Ishiyama based on the design drawings left by Kanda before his death.

The unit employs a special structure in which the generator coil is embedded in a magnetic circuit composed of ring-shaped magnets. Neodymium #50 magnets are used as the magnetic material, and a proprietary core material “SS-μM” is used to maximize the power generation efficiency, resulting in both low impedance and high output. In addition, gold plating is applied to the magnetic material to achieve vibration control of the magnetic circuit and magnetic force stability.

The cantilever is made of highly rigid solid boron, and a solid semi-line-contact stylus tip is used to improve tracing ability. The generator coil, which is integrated with the cantilever, is made of OFC material with a larger wire diameter, and the number of windings is optimized to reduce inductance and improve sound clarity. The output terminal pin material was also reviewed, and as a result of various trials, OFC material with high electrical conductivity made of pro-material metal was adopted. In addition, the sound quality has been greatly improved by replacing the conventional rhodium plating of these terminal pins with a thicker gold plating using CROSS POINT's “HYAKUSIKI” special gold plating technology.

A new special solder has been developed for the connection of the terminals and coil leads, which also improves the dynamic range and reproducibility of the low frequency range.
We are proud to present this product not only to analog fans, but also to audiophiles who have already experienced MUTEC's innovative sound. We hope you will enjoy the rich, fragrant, expressive and energetic sound of the “RM-HAYATE SASHION,” which opens up a new page in music reproduction through the culmination of our accumulated know-how and expertise.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)"

edit: based on https://www.soundheights.jp/SHOP/mutech-rm-hayate.html Web site, cost is 606,000 yen or ~$4177 usd

 

[ravenacustic]

My Transfiguration Orpheus had an accident. Needed repair. Hesitated for a couple of years. Purchased an Ortofon Windfeld Ti. Not in the same league. Contacted Francois at Ana Mighty Sound. Shipped to him. Repaired. Took maybe 6 weeks with transport. Well worth it. Super duper cartridge. Does it sound different than original. Cannot tell you. Either way sounds terrific. I also sent it to JR who examined it and made a shim and installed for me a year ago. I should have repaired it from the beginning.

 

[ledoux1238]

This is an extremely informative thread, especially J Carr’s history narrative.

In a review of the Transfiguration Proteus by Fremer, he wrote that the then TOTL Orpheus was abruptly discontinued while sales were still robust. The reason given by the US importer was due to health issue of the master craftsman responsible for the Orpheus. I wonder if it also coincided with the departure of Kanda-San such that Yoshioka could no longer use the single ring magnet? According to Fremer the model after Orpheus was a Phoenix + that used a double ring magnet. And then Proteus followed.

 

[ravenacustic]

This is an extremely informative thread, especially J Carr’s history narrative.

In a review of the Transfiguration Proteus by Fremer, he wrote that the then TOTL Orpheus was abruptly discontinued while sales were still robust. The reason given by the US importer was due to health issue of the master craftsman responsible for the Orpheus. I wonder if it also coincided with the departure of Kanda-San such that Yoshioka could no longer use the single ring magnet? According to Fremer the model after Orpheus was a Phoenix + that used a double ring magnet. And then Proteus followed.

You might be correct but the cartridge builder died. His family closed the business. Wish I had purchased the diamond version.

 

[tima]

In a review of the Transfiguration Proteus by Fremer, he wrote that the then TOTL Orpheus was abruptly discontinued while sales were still robust. The reason given by the US importer was due to health issue of the master craftsman responsible for the Orpheus. I wonder if it also coincided with the departure of Kanda-San such that Yoshioka could no longer use the single ring magnet? According to Fremer the model after Orpheus was a Phoenix + that used a double ring magnet. And then Proteus followed.

Yes, this sound right to me.

When Bob Clarke sold me the revised Phoenix he said there was only one guy who could build the single magnet cartridges, including the Orpheus. He became disabled and could no longer build them. The new Phoenix used a double magnet, actually with two different types of alloys between the front (cobalt) and rear (neodymium) . It had the same suspension as the Orpheus.

Those were the days, roughly 2010-2014. Looking back, the Immutable cartridge prices were more reasonable than we find today.

I still have the newer Phoenix. This thread prompts me to mount it on my SME 3012R.

 

[ledoux1238]

@tima
Comparing the Phoenix with the other cartridges that you own, is it closer in sound to a Lyra rather than a Benz?

 

[tima]

@tima
Comparing the Phoenix with the other cartridges that you own, is it closer in sound to a Lyra rather than a Benz?

Your question is a good one. I have not done the comparison yet and I don't want to rely on ancient memory. I will let you know when I do.

 

[RickS]

Somebody mention Talismans? I recently snagged a mint one and it’s incredible.

 

[ledoux1238]

@RickS
Do you know the difference between gold and black body Talisman virtuoso, if any? Both seem to be high output, 1.8 mv. Are you playing it straight into MM?

 

[RickS]

@RickS
Do you know the difference between gold and black body Talisman virtuoso, if any? Both seem to be high output, 1.8 mv. Are you playing it straight into MM?

The one I have is the Virtuoso DTI, ( diamond coated titanium cantilever). The black body version was the Virtuoso B with the boron cantilever. Otherwise specs are similar and both versions have Van den Hul type 1 stylus’s. Running straight into the basic MM input of my preamp. The gain suffices and it’s dead nuts quiet.

One interesting thing I found about this cartridge is its almost hyper sensitivity to VTA. When I first set it up I had the headshell more or less parallel to the record surface. The cartridge played very cleanly after aligning using my Dennesen Soundtractor no matter where the VTA was but the bass seemed a bit reticent. So I lowered the arm a smidge thinking, lower the VTA and get more bass. Well that didn’t work so I put it back and figured it was the quality of my MM input which is really basic.

One day I decided the weak bass was driving me nuts so I thought, let’s raise the VTA a bit. Holy smokes! Now the bass heft and punch was there in abundance. So that was good right? Except the highs were rolled off now. So a couple more slight adjustments and I had it all. And it’s doing its thing with all record weights without me having to make further adjustments. Really a sweet yet incisive cartridge.

 

[shakti]

A Transfiguration Orpheus L found the way into my set up.

I am using the Acoustical Systems Axion tonearm, which seems to be a nice match,

Phono Pre Pre (head Amp) is the Allnic H-5000, 50ohm impedance position.
or the Kondo SFZ step up (old version, 3ohm input)

Both provide 30db gain, so a high input for some MM stages, as the Orpheus L has 0,3mv output (and 1ohm coil impedance)
The performance of this cart is very nice, like it a lot!

 

[ledoux1238]

Regarding loading for a Proteus, or Orpheus L ( assuming same values ), what is the ‘ideal’? Fremer was using a Yipsilon Phono with a recommended Yipsilon silver SUT @44 ohm for his Proteus review.

@shakti The Allnic phono uses SUT in the MC section, correct? So if you load the Orpheus at 50 ohm, would you load at the same value when using a stand alone SUT? I am a bit confused with the loading of the Kondo SFZ step up.

 

[shakti]

Regarding loading for a Proteus, or Orpheus L ( assuming same values ), what is the ‘ideal’? Fremer was using a Yipsilon Phono with a recommended Yipsilon silver SUT @44 ohm for his Proteus review.

@shakti The Allnic phono uses SUT in the MC section, correct? So if you load the Orpheus at 50 ohm, would you load at the same value when using a stand alone SUT? I am a bit confused with the loading of the Kondo SFZ step up.

I am not using an Allnic Phonostage, I am using the Allnic HA-5000 tube based head amp, which has basically the same function as a step up. Means the head amp increases the MC cartridge output up to a MM input stage capable value.

A cartridge with 1ohm coil impedance will find an impedance matching step up, if the step up provides 36db gain.
this will overload the most MM Phono stage inputs with the given output of 0,3mv of the Orpheus L.

This happened to me while using the 1ohm / 36db input of the Kondo SFZ step up..

Much better match was the 3ohm/30db input of the Kondo SFZ.

The Kondo SFZ step up (oder version) has even a third input, providing a 40ohm / 20db input.