Ak Audio Ruby EC-3b MC ruby stylus

This is an New-in-box Ruby stylus phono cartridge from AK Audio Labs. These guys are just starting to get known pretty well and have already received a rave review of their massive step-up transformer. They make outstanding handmade moving coil phono cartridges in the old Joe Grado tradition.

This particular cartridge I bought 2 of. It was a limited edition MC with an aluminum cantilever, nude Ruby Line Contact Stylus, machined aluminum cartridge body, "X" configured OFC single crystal copper windings.

The ruby stylus has a very unique sound. It tracks very well, is very detailed, very dynamic, and yet is smooth and seductively laid back in the Koetsu tradition.

I'm selling my back-up cartridge in order to fund an upcoming purchase. I got a great deal on purchasing 2 of them and am passing it on to the buyer. You would have to spend more than 5X this to get even a reasonable comparison.

SPECIFICATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

PHYSICAL
• Stylus: NUDE LINE-CONTACT RUBY
• Cantilever: Stainless Steel Tube
• Body: Aluminum.
• Stylus Tip Radius: 5x150uM
• VTA: 20 Degree
• Coil: Pure Iron Cross Coil
• Weight: 10.85 Grams
Electrical

• Output Voltage: 0.42mV @3.54cm/s
• Internal Impedance: 12 OHM
• Frequency Response: 20-25,000Hz +/-1db
• Channel Separation: Better than 30db @1KHz
• Channel Balance: Better than 0.5db
Dynamic

• Tracking Ability At 315 Hz At Tracking Force Of 2 Grams: 80uM
• Dynamic Compliance: 15uM/mN
Setup Instruction

• Recommended Loading: 100 -1000 OHM
• Recommended Tracking Force: 1.6-2.0 Grams
• Recommended Tonearm Mass: Medium
• Break-in time: 30 Hours

Continental US USPS Priority is a flat $10; international is at actual cost.Paypal is 4% for US, a flat $20 for international.