Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.

Product Strengths

  • Detailed and dynamic sound reproduction
  • Excellent high-frequency reach without harshness
  • Balanced and open sound
  • Tracks excellently, with zero bleed-over
  • Easy to install, with flat sides aiding in alignment

Product Considerations

  • The exposed cantilever requires careful handling during setup
  • The price may be prohibitive for some

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Gold Note Tuscany Red: The Gold Note is a little more open at the top-end, but costs more

Takeaway: The AVIDHIFI BORON MC Cartridge is a great cartridge if you want detailed and balanced sound, making music enjoyable without being too much. It's a good choice for audiophiles who want a high-quality listening experience.

How useful are hifi reviews? We consider them useful for three things: (1) Surfacing new products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've ever heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's unique attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we  discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on everything—rarely being negative for fear of souring relationships with manufacturers. Further, they seldom have more than a couple products on-hand at once, relying on their imperfect memories to compare to past products.

Compared to their other products

We think it's helpful to understand how this product fits into the brand's full lineup (below). To learn more about these products, visit the brand's page.

Ingenium-turntable  

  • Positioning: The entry-level model aimed at budget-conscious users.  
  • Description: Offers a reliable belt drive mechanism and basic isolation features that help deliver clear sound in smaller rooms. In comparison to the other models, it provides essential performance without advanced engineering details for those who need simple functionality at a lower cost.

Diva-II-SP-turntable  

  • Positioning: A mid-range model that builds on the entry-level design with enhanced mechanical features.  
  • Description: Introduces an improved suspension system and refined tonearm design that help boost tracking precision and stability over the Ingenium. Compared to other products in the lineup, it offers a balanced step up in engineering for medium-sized setups.

Volvere-turntable  

  • Positioning: A mid-to-high tier option focused on greater mechanical stability and refined performance.  
  • Description: Uses an upgraded motor control and enhanced isolation measures that result in steadier operation and improved sound reproduction. In contrast to the Ingenium and Diva-II-SP models, its superior build quality and technical improvements suit buyers looking for a noticeable upgrade in performance and precision.

Acutus-reference  

  • Positioning: A high-end reference model designed for dedicated audiophile listening environments.  
  • Description: Features precision machining and an innovative motor system that markedly reduce vibration and enhance accurate tracking, setting it apart from the lower-tier products. Compared to the Ingenium, Diva-II-SP, and Volvere models, it offers advanced isolation and refined control.

Acutus-reference-mono  

  • Positioning: The flagship model with the highest level of engineering refinement in the lineup.  
  • Description: Features a bespoke mono-block design that significantly improves channel separation and minimizes interference, distinguishing it from all other models. Compared to the Acutus-reference and the rest of the range, it provides the most sophisticated circuitry and tonearm system.
See all the brand's products

Read the reviews

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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer's notes

Luxuriously black in finish, as the name announces, Boron has been employed for the cantilever. Light and stiff, it's a perfect material for this application and coupled with the micro ridge stylus, offers a silky-smooth sound with the openness and pace of its big brother. Grooves are negotiated without any fluster, offering up the musical entirety of your records with a dynamic, life like presentation and drawing you into the performance.
Luxuriously black in finish, as the name announces, Boron has been employed for the cantilever. Light and stiff, it's a perfect material for this application and coupled with the micro ridge stylus, offers a silky-smooth sound with the openness and pace of its big brother. Grooves are negotiated without any fluster, offering up the musical entirety of your records with a dynamic, life like presentation and drawing you into the performance.

window of sound

Surface noise, the scourge of playing vinyl records disappears to almost vanishing point using the micro ridge stylus and reducing the commonly heard 'needle-talk' which causes distortion and damages records.The low moving mass and length of the cantilever assembly provides excellent tracking and fine information retrieval for a rich, true to life sound. Boron opens a glorious window of sound.

optimal sound

Installing the Boron is a pleasure, leaving you to enjoy the music rather than anxious that set up is less than perfect. The square angled design of the body and extending cantilever allow for accurate, easy installation and precise alignment for optimal sound reproduction and with a purpose designed stylus guard offering protection whilst not in use.

TYPE:

MOVING COIL

OUTPUT VOLTAGE:

0.32mV

FREQUENCY RESPONSE:

10Hz-45KHz

TRACKING FORCE:

2.0gr (±0.2gr)

LOAD IMPEDANCE:

\>100Ω

CANTILEVER MATERIAL:

BORON

STYLUS PROFILE:

MICRO-RIDGE

STYLUS MATERIAL:

SOLID DIAMOND

NET WEIGHT:

9.1g

Visit Manufacturer Site
Avid Hifiavidhifi.com
Average Price
$5,001-$10,000
Used Products
2
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
60
 of 600+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products
32
Founded
1995

Our take on the brand

AVID Hifi is a brand known for its turntables featuring unique engineering like sapphire bearings and dual-stage clamping systems that improve bass grip and soundstage projection. The brand's design philosophy involves developing technology in their high-end models and then adapting it for more affordable products, with their components made from solid aluminum and speakers weighing 100kg for exceptional build quality.
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi
Brand Page
Most data on ExtremeHiFi is proprietary—researched and reviewed after thousands of hours of loving labor. We archive our site's data and its pages on Archive.org and take legal action against those repurposing the data. We also fingerprint data to know when text and numbers came from us first.
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What if you spend a bit more?

No items found.

What else competes at this price?

JSD Novel Titan
6995
/
Released
2021
EMT Tontechnik
Ultimate stereo cartridge with EMT multi-layer core transducer and titanium body
Check on Amazon
EMT Tontechnik, originally developed for German broadcasters, is renowned for its high-performance moving coil cartridges and digital reverb units that emphasize honesty and coherence. Their turntables and cartridges maintain a distinct sonic signature that blends transient speed with musical attack, while their reverb units, including the EMT 246 with its EMT 250 algorithm, are considered among the best digital reverbs ever made.
Expand Details

Our Summary

No items found.

Product Strengths

  • Generous low-frequency transient textures, such as fingers plucking double bass strings
  • Smoothness, refinement, good timbral balance, and commendable transparency
  • Precise build quality
  • Seamless delivery, producing musical pleasure on a rich, colorful pallet

Product Considerations

  • The Titan does not include a stylus guard, which could be a problem for people with cats, children, or housekeepers
  • A particular vocal sibilant characteristic—a super-narrow, almost sweet peak—was noted
  • If hard rock is your thing—look elsewhere

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Original vs test pressing of The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark—the EMT's generous presentation of bass transient textures was there too, without overhang

Takeaway: The EMT JSD Novel Titan MC cartridge uses modern materials to enhance a classic design, delivering a fast and fresh sound. With its high output and precise build, it reliably delivers satisfying musical experiences.

Video review

Our take on the brand

EMT Tontechnik, originally developed for German broadcasters, is renowned for its high-performance moving coil cartridges and digital reverb units that emphasize honesty and coherence. Their turntables and cartridges maintain a distinct sonic signature that blends transient speed with musical attack, while their reverb units, including the EMT 246 with its EMT 250 algorithm, are considered among the best digital reverbs ever made.
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Visit
JSD Novel Titan
Page
Product Page
TDC01
8338
/
Released
2024
TechDAS
The TDC01 cartridge features a novel egg-shaped housing which was chosen because of its unchallenged structural Section Modulus properties. This unique housing made of A7075 Super Duralumin, and although difficult to machine with such extreme precision, is an ideal form factor to dissipate extraneous energy coming from the record groove. This, in turn, allows the generator system to reproduce only the clean signal of the music itself.
Check on Amazon
TechDAS is a premium turntable brand that uses rare air bearing and vacuum hold-down technologies, designed by former Micro Seiki engineer Hideaki Nishikawa. Their Air Force series turntables combine high-mass chassis with advanced air suspension systems to minimize vibrations, while their vacuum hold-down system reduces record warping for better sound quality.
Expand Details

Our Summary

No items found.

Product Strengths

  • Combines a satiny top-end sheen with an authoritarian dynamic slam and impressive transparency
  • Soundstages were deep and wide where appropriate
  • Produced transient sharpness on the bottom and in the mids
  • Tonally neutral-sounding
  • Bottom-end extension and resolution of low-level detail were high quality

Product Considerations

  • Super-refined reproduction of transients as somewhat on the polite side overall, and better suited to jazz and classical than to harder-edged rock, soul, and blues
  • Requires a very low loading value to get the most out of it, surprising considering the recommended 100-200 ohms
  • At 17gm, it is on the heavy side

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The TechDAS TDC01 Ti offered transparency similar to the Kuzma CAR-60
  • The TechDAS TDC01 Ti also produced Proteus-like overall dynamic 'slam'

Takeaway: The TechDAS TDC01 Ti cartridge is a high-quality product that combines smoothness with dynamic slam, making for a refined sound. Its neutrality and detail make it a good choice for audiophiles who enjoy jazz and classical music.

Video review

Our take on the brand

TechDAS is a premium turntable brand that uses rare air bearing and vacuum hold-down technologies, designed by former Micro Seiki engineer Hideaki Nishikawa. Their Air Force series turntables combine high-mass chassis with advanced air suspension systems to minimize vibrations, while their vacuum hold-down system reduces record warping for better sound quality.
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Visit
TDC01
Page
Product Page
JSD Novel Gold
7995
/
Released
2021
EMT Tontechnik
Ultimate stereo cartridge with EMT multi-layer core transducer and high-density body
Check on Amazon
EMT Tontechnik, originally developed for German broadcasters, is renowned for its high-performance moving coil cartridges and digital reverb units that emphasize honesty and coherence. Their turntables and cartridges maintain a distinct sonic signature that blends transient speed with musical attack, while their reverb units, including the EMT 246 with its EMT 250 algorithm, are considered among the best digital reverbs ever made.
Expand Details

Our Summary

No items found.

Video review

Our take on the brand

EMT Tontechnik, originally developed for German broadcasters, is renowned for its high-performance moving coil cartridges and digital reverb units that emphasize honesty and coherence. Their turntables and cartridges maintain a distinct sonic signature that blends transient speed with musical attack, while their reverb units, including the EMT 246 with its EMT 250 algorithm, are considered among the best digital reverbs ever made.
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Visit
JSD Novel Gold
Page
Product Page

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Magazine reviewers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below.

Product Strengths

  • Detailed and dynamic sound reproduction
  • Excellent high-frequency reach without harshness
  • Balanced and open sound
  • Tracks excellently, with zero bleed-over
  • Easy to install, with flat sides aiding in alignment

Product Considerations

  • The exposed cantilever requires careful handling during setup
  • The price may be prohibitive for some

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Gold Note Tuscany Red: The Gold Note is a little more open at the top-end, but costs more

Takeaway: The AVIDHIFI BORON MC Cartridge is a great cartridge if you want detailed and balanced sound, making music enjoyable without being too much. It's a good choice for audiophiles who want a high-quality listening experience.

How useful are hifi reviews? We consider them useful for three things: (1) Surfacing new products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've ever heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's unique attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we  discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on everything—rarely being negative for fear of souring relationships with manufacturers. Further, they seldom have more than a couple products on-hand at once, relying on their imperfect memories to compare to past products.

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