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
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Focuses hard and fast on tonal realism, and provides quality sound
- Offers a broad and open soundstage
- Has straight sides, making alignment and cueing easy
Product Considerations
- Not tuned for Metal music
- With a 2g downforce, not quite as secure a tracker as the top Ruby Reference
- The exposed cantilever may agitate nervous types
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The AVID Ionic offers similar inky-black backgrounds to the SME Model 60, but the SME surpasses the AVID in its shattering dynamics and its utter transparency and clarity in the upper frequency range
Takeaway: The AVID Ionic cartridge is a balanced and neutral cartridge that is focused on detail and clarity, not on being bigger or louder. With a good turntable, this cartridge will open up a world of information and be a sonic friend for life.
All
Ionic
reviews
Manufacturer details
TYPE:
MOVING COIL
OUTPUT VOLTAGE:
0.32mV
FREQUENCY RESPONSE:
15Hz-25KHz
TRACKING FORCE:
2.0gr (±0.2gr)
LOAD IMPEDANCE:
\>100Ω
CANTILEVER MATERIAL:
ALUMINIUM
STYLUS PROFILE:
ELIPTICAL
STYLUS MATERIAL:
SOLID DIAMOND
NET WEIGHT:
9.1g
With everything rigidly encapsulated within the solid aluminium body, there is never a hint of harshness, vocals as smooth as silk or raucous and live but never with distortion. Our Ionic low output Moving coil cartridge encapsulates all that is good about our designs in an attractive package, keeping true to our original design principles, but so much more affordable.
Flagship Principles
Employing the same approach to removing vibration away from the critical stylus point by using the same machined cartridge body allows vibration to pass into the tonearm rather than feeding back to the cantilever assembly, reducing the commonly heard 'needle-talk'.
Despite this being our entry model, we have managed to retain the same magnet assembly and coils, keeping cantilever dynamic inertia low, reducing the potential risk of record damage and making sure surface noise is low.
awaken your music
With the Ionic cartridge on your turntable, you are guaranteed an outstanding musical performance from all your vinyl, bringing life and realism into your living room. Vocals leap out from the silent background and offering a deep soundstage that puts y...
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- AVID's design philosophy revolves around minimizing unwanted noise and vibrations by using rigid, heavily damped, proprietary materials for the body and yokes of their cartridges, turntables, and tonearms.
- Neutrality is a recurring theme, with Avid products aiming for an "utterly neutral" sonic signature to provide a blank canvas for other components and recordings to shine.
- AVID turntables and cartridges are designed to be relatively insensitive to their environment, not requiring exotic racks or dedicated supports, suggesting their designs handle vibrations effectively.
Select products
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.
Our take on the brand
Look inside the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Used
AVIDHIFI
What if you spend more?
Ultimate stereo cartridge with EMT multi-layer core transducer and titanium body All EMT Novel products feature the innovative EMT multi-layer core transducer technology. The coil core is designed in two parts and is arranged around a carrier made of high-strength titanium, which encloses the sapphire needle carrier. Incredible realistic performance is achieved, while at the same time the tried and trusted EMT typical specs are respected. The generator coil of the JSD Novel Titan is made of pure silver and creates a fine and smooth sound. The titanium housing ensures optimal energy dissipation on high-quality tonearms.
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Our summary
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
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. The result is absolute purity of tone, with deep, detailed bass, extraordinary smooth clarity of the midrange, and crisp, clean highs bathed in pure air; together with the vast dynamic range of this design – and making a clear departure from the thin sound that so often is present in many MC cartridges – the TDC-01 presents a musical presentation of absolute beauty, solid authority, and incredible, holographic realism.
Our summary
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
Ultimate stereo cartridge with EMT multi-layer core transducer and high-density body All EMT Novel products feature the innovative EMT multi-layer core transducer technology. The coil core is designed in two parts and is arranged around a carrier made of high-strength titanium, which encloses the sapphire needle carrier. Incredible realistic performance is achieved, while at the same time the tried and trusted EMT typical specs are respected. The generator coil of the JSD Novel Gold is made of pure gold and creates a rich and colourful sound. The heavy housing made of a special alloy ensures optimal energy dissipation, even on demanding tonearms.
Our summary
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The LMC-5 creates a clearer window onto the music, offering more clarity, tighter focus, and better soundstage
- Fantastic bass quality
- Well-conceived and constructed with excellent build quality
- The midrange is sonorous, making strings sing
- Easy to mount and align due to its body shape and threaded holes
Product Considerations
- A somewhat polite top end might not be ideal for those who prefer a brighter sound with more sizzle
- Proper VTA/SRA is critical to achieving ideal balance
- The pins may be smaller than the crimps on some tonearm cables, requiring adjustment
- Vocals can be a little lean, depending on the system
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Versus Goldring Eroica HX, the LMC-5 creates a clearer window onto the music and has better soundstage
- Versus Denon DL-103 and Ortofon SPU series, the LMC-5 renders people, instruments, and the recording venue in three dimensions, has precise attack, and ultimate refinement
Takeaway: The Luxman LMC-5 is a well-built, beautiful cartridge that offers clarity, detail, and a romantic sweep to the sound, making it worth buying. It is a great cartridge to add to one's system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Key to the enduring appeal of the LP12 is the indefinable rhythmic joy to the way it makes music
- The Linn Selekt LP12 retains an extraordinary ability to draw you into the performance with a simple rhythmic rightness
- The Selekt offers a level of performance that is an order of magnitude higher than LP12s of old
- Fine details that are so easily lost from the grooves of a record are worked effortlessly into the performance
- The LP12 is utterly painless to live with
Product Considerations
- The Kendo cartridge isn't a very forgiving performer and can sound a little hard and forward with less pristine pressings
- The Arko arm has a rather stiff example—that needs a little force—to move it out of its rest
Takeaway: The Linn Selekt LP12 is an insightful and enjoyable turntable that delivers an absolutely competitive performance with anything else at its price point. It is a formidable turntable that delivers the emotional content of the music above all else
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Direct connection with music's dynamism and energy
- Stellar cartridge that gets under the skin of music with outstanding coherence and energy—encompassing, beguiling warmth of vinyl replay
- Honest sound, extracting so much information from the groove, the sound is uncanny
- Superb tracking and an ability to listen through pops and crackle well
- Excellent sight-lining for horizontal alignment within the headshell
Product Considerations
- Nude stylus with no stylus guard requires careful installation
- More about musical drive than about air and spaciousness
Takeaway: The EMT JSD Pure Black is a cartridge that provides a direct and energetic connection to the music and brings out the warmth of vinyl. It is honest and extracts a lot of information to make records sound great.
Video review
Our take on the brand
How to buy
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