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
- Offers a stunning combination of sound and functionality, functioning as a very natural and 'do-all' cartridge
- Reproduces both ends of the frequency spectrum with a high degree of texture, detail, and punch, including excellent bass definition
- Creates a massive three-dimensional soundfield, delivering a more inclusive listening experience
- Provides a natural and correct tonal balance with a slight hint of warmth, avoiding edginess or brightness
- Offers a sound that encourages all-night listening sessions without listener fatigue
Product Considerations
- The stylus guard, while present, does not grip the cartridge body tightly, requiring careful handling
- The cantilever is completely exposed, increasing the risk of damage
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Dynavector 17D3 ruby karat, the Reference Ruby offers superior resolution and less graininess
- Vs TechDAS TDC01 Ti, the Reference Ruby veers more toward intimacy, while the TDC01 Ti offers a greater sense of grandeur
- Vs Lyra Atlas, the Lyra Atlas is more of a 'just the facts, sir' cartridge, while the Reference Ruby offers better tonal balance
- Vs Clearaudio Goldfinger, the Goldfinger offers a robust, tonally saturated, and dynamic presentation, where the Reference Ruby offers better tonal balance
- Vs Koetsu, the Reference Ruby does not over embellish as a Koetsu does to capture attention, while the Reference Ruby offers better tonal balance
Takeaway: The AVID Reference Ruby is a high-performing and balanced phono cartridge that extracts plenty of musical information from records. It is a good option for audiophiles looking for a cartridge that delivers both detail and a pleasant, natural sound.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Reference Ruby
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
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
Specifications
TYPE:
MOVING COIL
OUTPUT VOLTAGE:
0.32mV
FREQUENCY RESPONSE:
10Hz-50KHz
TRACKING FORCE:
2.0gr (±0.2gr)
LOAD IMPEDANCE:
\>100Ω
CANTILEVER MATERIAL:
SOLID RUBY
STYLUS PROFILE:
MICRO-RIDGE
STYLUS MATERIAL:
SOLID DIAMOND
NET WEIGHT:
9.1g
Description
Within the world of expensive esoteric cartridges, the Reference Ruby is not inexpensive but nowhere near inaccessible. Not designed to be second best, it will sit happily on any premium turntable, offering a fresh insight into your record collection.
Within the world of expensive esoteric cartridges, the Reference Ruby is not inexpensive but nowhere near inaccessible. Not designed to be second best, it will sit happily on any premium turntable, offering a fresh insight into your record collection. Music always sparkles with a jewel.
jewel of sound
Acquiring its name by harnessing the immense rigidity of a Ruby cantilever, musically this cartridge offers unparalleled resolution, dynamics and an openness to the sound that totally captivates.
Subtle details are a revelation of breath-taking transparency with lower frequencies formidably tight showing no loss of control and thanks to the micro ridge stylus surface noise is vanishingly low.
Design Masterpiece
By virtue of its construction, precise alignment for optimal sound reproduction is painless, the extending cantilever allowing accurate track selection and the purpose designed stylus guard offering protection when you are absent.
Exceeding our own design expectations, Reference Ruby will enrich your musical experience, abandoning the constraints of time to vividly discover your most cherished records with this design masterpiece.
jewel of sound
Acquiring its name by harnessing the immense rigidity of a Ruby cantilever, musically this cartridge offers unparalleled resolution, dynamics and an openness to the sound that totally captivates.
Subtle details are a revelation of breath-taking transparency with lower frequencies formidably tight showing no loss of control and thanks to the micro ridge stylus surface noise is vanishingly low.
Design Masterpiece
By virtue of its construction, precise alignment for optimal sound reproduction is painless, the extending cantilever allowing accurate track selection and the purpose designed stylus guard offering protection when you are absent.
Exceeding our own design expectations, Reference Ruby will enrich your musical experience, abandoning the constraints of time to vividly discover your most cherished records with this design masterpiece.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
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
Select product comparisons
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 Products
Avg. Product Price
$5,001-$10,000
Used For Sale
4
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
129
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
32
Founding Year
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.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
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?
From our interview with
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Brand Page
Used
AVIDHIFI
All of the Brand's Used Products
What if you spend more?
No items found.
What competes at this price?
EMT Tontechnik
JSD Novel Titan
6995
/
Released
2021
Ultimate stereo cartridge with EMT multi-layer core transducer and titanium body
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
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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
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.
Product Page
Product Page
TechDAS
TDC01
8338
/
Released
2024
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.
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
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.
Product Page
Product Page
EMT Tontechnik
JSD Novel Gold
7995
/
Released
2021
Ultimate stereo cartridge with EMT multi-layer core transducer and high-density body
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
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.
Product Page
Product Page
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