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AnalogRelax EX300 Phono Cartridge
Adoption of newly developed "IF adhesive" stylus tip fixation for precise and powerful sound
EX300 adapted newly developed "IF adhesive" technology for stronger integration of the stylus and cantilever, also the body housing consists of high-grade walnut that is often used to the neck, back and sides of a guitar and is shaving out from the solid wood.
Previously, no attention was paid to fixing the stylus tip and cantilever. It's natural because it is a world where is invisible to the naked eye. However, it is an undeniable fact that considerable pressure has been applied on the fixed part of the stylus tip and cantilever over a long period of time during playing a record. Therefore, reviewing the fixed part of stylus tip and cantilever was the starting point of this time development. What we found during the test was that although it is micro level, there is adverse effect on the sound due to wobbling at the junction of the stylus and cantilever. And the result of trial-and-error, we have developed new adhesive material and bonding procedure of "IF adhesive". IF adhesive is a new adhesive method in which very fine diamond particles are mixed with a special adhesive to fill the space between the stylus tip and the cantilever hole. By integrating the stylus tip and cantilever firmly, it is possible that the amount of information and the presence can be improved dramatically.
Tone Wood for musical instruments Solid walnut used for body
We also obsessed about the wood material of the body housing for this time too as other models. The body housing adopted carefully selected from solid walnut, which is the tone wood used for the guitar. By using beeswax derived from nature for finishing, a deep color peculiar to walnut is created, which makes you feel even more excited.
It is suitable to payback any kind music category, it is characterized by sound precision and powerful sound reproduction with a solid foundation in the mid to low frequency range. It goes especially well with guitars made of the same wooden material.
・All products are made by artisans within Japan.
・The solid wood body is made with natural materials, there will be differences in color, grain, weight, etc. between products.
・The body color of the grains will change with age.
Dealers selling AnalogRelax near you
Authorized dealers for AnalogRelax EX300 Phono Cartridge
- The ASOC Gallery of Fine Audio — in-store — Stratford, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Absolute Hi End — in-store — Ormond, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Absolute Sounds — in-store — London, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Audio Venue — online and in-store — London, England, United Kingdom (website)
- House of Stereo — online and in-store — Jacksonville, Florida, United States (website)
- Imacustica — online and in-store — Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, Portugal (website)
- Jaguar Audio — in-store — Bellevue, Washington, United States (website)
- Loud & Clear — in-store — Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (website)
- Martins Hi-fi — in-store — Norwich, England, United Kingdom (website)
- The AUDIOBARN — in-store — Harlow, England, United Kingdom (website)
The warm tonal balance and spacious imaging make this MC cartridge shine with acoustic, jazz, and carefully recorded music. HiFi News praises its rich upper mids, smooth yet detailed treble, and wide soundstage, while noting a slightly less sure-footed nature with busier, more demanding passages. For listeners who favor refinement over aggression, it feels distinctly special.
Pros
- Warm, richly textured midrange with clear treble that stays smooth and detailed.
- Expansive stereo presentation with strong width beyond the loudspeakers.
- Natural, engaging timing and bass articulation on jazz and acoustic material.
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Cons
- Can sound less composed when music becomes dense, busy, or highly dynamic.
- Soundstage height and front-to-back depth are good, but not class-leading.
Sound Quality
87/100
Weighted average of sub-criteria below.
Overall Sound
88/100
Reviewers describe a relaxed, warmly balanced presentation that still preserves clarity and detail rather than sounding soft or woolly. HiFi News praises the cartridge for a tonal balance that leans warm while retaining treble clarity, upper-mid richness, and a generally detailed, engaging character.
Tracking Retrieval
84/100
The review supports solid but not class-leading groove retrieval: the cartridge keeps complex music moving confidently and maintains composure, but there is no explicit superlative tracking praise. The evidence is more about musical flow, clarity, and holding together well on denser passages than about exceptional inner-groove or mistracking performance.
Soundstage Imaging
88/100
Spatial performance is a clear strength, with a 'majestic swathe of information' extending between and beyond the loudspeakers. Depth is described as acceptable rather than exceptional and height as slightly truncated, which keeps the score in the high 80s rather than the 90s.
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Build Quality
83/100
The cartridge shows thoughtful, practical construction: a metal plate with tapped holes, elegant body shaping, and a front face that makes installation and alignment straightforward. The walnut solid-wood body and beeswax finish add appeal, but the review evidence is more about tidy execution and setup ease than exceptional engineering.
Features Usability
84/100
Tonearm compatibility looks good for a fairly standard MC setup: the cartridge is used successfully on an SME 309, and the review notes that a typical 100 ohm MC input should be fine. Its 0.5 mV output and moderate compliance suggest it is not especially fussy, though it still remains a specialized MC rather than a universal plug-and-play option.
The EX300 appears reasonably accommodating in real-world use, having been paired with an SME 309 and a standard MC phono input without issue. The review implies straightforward setup and normal loading expectations, which supports good but not exceptional system flexibility for an MC cartridge.
Value for Money
84/100
At £2698 in the UK, this is a premium cartridge, but the review frames it as worth auditioning and especially rewarding with quieter, more considered material. Value is solid rather than bargain-like: it sounds competitive in its class, but the praise is tempered by notes that it can be less sure-footed outside its comfort zone, so it reads as justified premium value rather than standout price-performance.
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