SL1 MKII Cartridge
Original price was: 990 $.590 $Current price is: 590 $.
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Your Analog Awakening
You’ve built a system you love. You collect records that hold meaning. But sometimes, something still feels just out of reach: a deeper emotion, a fuller presence, a true sense of intimacy with the performance.
That’s why we created the SL1 MKII.
The SL1 MKII is a bridge between you and the soul of the music. A high-output moving coil designed to deliver breathtaking analog realism, without the need for an MC preamp.
Gregory de Richemont – Founder
What Makes the SL1 MKII Unique:
True MC Sound, No Extra Gear
Enjoy the clarity and depth of Moving Coil with 2.5mV output. Works with any MM phono stage.
Designed for Musical Emotion
6N copper coils and a precision stylus deliver a wide soundstage, rich imaging, and lifelike detail.
Simple Installation
Threaded holes and straight body lines make installation smooth, even for first-time users.
60-Day Risk-Free Trial
Live with it for 60 days in your system. Feel the difference in your music. If it doesn’t move you, send it back.
We are deeply impressed by what this cartridge can get out of a record.
In the days following our listening session, we searched both the digital and analogue realms at home for the same listening sensation, especially with the ‘Déjà Vu’ album. We couldn’t find it.
We say sensation, but it was more than that. It felt like an event, a special performance or concert that leaves a lasting impression.
Yung Lie – Alpha Audio
Customer Reviews:
The New SL1 MKII is JAW-DROPPING Good sound!
This new SL1 MKII was like the heavy curtain was opened up and the piano and violin was right in front of me. I could hear the bow on the strings, the piano hammer the strings. Right now I don’t have to spend thousands on a preamp! Every night I play lps for 3 hours, OMG the sound is right next to you and the fidelity is unforgettable!
CORE COMPONENTS
BORON NITRIDE CANTILEVER
The SL1 MKII uses a precision-engineered Boron Nitride cantilever, a ceramic material selected for its exceptional stiffness and low mass. Compared to aluminum, it is 3.6 times more rigid and 28% lighter:
Rigidity (Gpa)
Density (g/cm3)
This combination improves the speed and accuracy of vibration transfer from the stylus to the coils, enhancing your ability to hear micro-details, transients, and subtle textures with stunning clarity.
ULTRA LIGHT COILS
At the heart of the SL1 MKII are hand-wound 6N copper coils, designed for both low impedance (56Ω) and high output (2.5mV). This ultra-light moving mass delivers excellent groove tracking and preserves even the finest musical information.
You’ll hear more lifelike dynamics, greater immediacy, and an effortless response to musical peaks, all while enjoying the compatibility of a standard MM phono input.
LINE CONTACT STYLUS
The advanced line contact stylus shape offers a wider contact area with the groove walls than conical or elliptical tips. This precise contact improves tracking, lowers distortion, and extends the life of both stylus and record.
Expect smoother treble, a better sense of space, and increased musical realism, especially on complex passages and inner grooves.
SPECIFICATIONS
PHYSICAL
- Type: Stereo Moving Coil
- Stylus: Diamond, Line Contact
- Cantilever: Boron Nitride
- Coil Wire: 6N Copper
- Body: 7075 Aluminum Alloy and Acrylic
- Height: 17.8 mm
- Weight: 8.7 grams
ELECTRICAL
- Output Voltage: 2.5 mV at 1 kHz, 5 cm/s
- Frequency Response: 10 Hz to 40 kHz
- Channel Separation: Better than 28 dB
- Channel Balance: Better than 0.5 dB
DYNAMIC
- Dynamic Compliance: 16 μm/mN at 10 Hz
TRACKING & SETUP
- Recommended Load: 47 kOhms (MM phono preamp)
- Tracking Force: 1.5 to 1.9 grams (Reference: 1.7 grams)
- Recommended Tonearm Mass: 7 to 25 grams
- Break-in Period: 20 hours
ACCESSORIES
- Stylus Brush
- Stylus Guard
- Hexagonal Screwdriver
- Short and Long Mounting Screws with Washers
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Where can I read reviews of the SL1 MKII Cartridge?
- Is there a warranty for the SL1 MKII cartridge?
- With which turntables or tonearms can I use the SL1 MKII Cartridge?
- What is the stylus lifespan of the SL1 MKII cartridge?
- Can the SL1 MKII cartridge be retipped?
You can explore reviews of the SL1 MKII Cartridge from several sources:
Yung Lie‘s insights are available on Alpha-Audio HERE, while Jean Razzaroli has shared his thoughts on Vinyle & Audio magazine HERE (PDF).
Additionally, customer feedback can be found on Le Son’s Trustpilot page HERE.
These reviews offer a range of perspectives on the SL1 MKII’s performance and quality, giving you a well-rounded understanding of what it delivers.
We stand behind the quality and performance of the SL1 MKII, and we offer a comprehensive 1-year warranty. This warranty begins from the moment you receive your package.
For complete details and conditions of the warranty, we invite you to review our General Terms & Conditions. Our aim is to provide you with not just an exceptional product, but also the peace of mind that comes with knowing your investment is protected.
Every turntable setup has its unique characteristics, and understanding these is crucial for achieving the best sound. The interaction between the cartridge and tonearm creates a specific resonance frequency, shaped by two main factors: the ‘springiness’ of the cartridge, known as compliance, and the effective mass of the tonearm.
In an ideal setup, this resonant frequency should fall between 8Hz and 11Hz to ensure optimal performance. The SL1 MKII cartridge, with its compliance of 16μm/mN, is designed to pair seamlessly with medium-light and medium mass tonearms (effective mass ranging from 7 to 25 grams). Not sure if your turntable fits this category? Don’t worry. Our team is here to assist you. Contact us, and we will help verify the compatibility with your setup.
Unlike common stylus shapes such as conical or elliptical, a line contact stylus distributes the vertical tracking force (VTF) over a wider area. This reduces wear and prolongs the stylus’s lifespan.
Furthermore, the SL1 MKII cartridge is engineered with a low VTF of just 1.7g. This gentle approach minimizes the pressure exerted on both the record and the stylus, enhancing the longevity of your record collection and the stylus itself.
On average, the stylus of the SL1 MKII cartridge offers a lifespan ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 hours of playback. To put it into perspective, if you enjoy your records for about two hours every day, the SL1 MKII stylus can serve you well for approximately two years.
Over time, even the highest quality styli require retipping. We offer a retipping service for the SL1 MKII, ensuring your cartridge delivers exceptional audio quality in the long run.
When you feel it’s time for a retipping, simply reach out to us. We will provide you with all the necessary information and guide you through the process, making it as smooth and straightforward as possible. Our goal is to ensure your SL1 MKII cartridge remains a vital part of your audio setup for years to come.
The SL1 MKII standard retipping service, priced at 190 USD including shipping and customs duties, provides a new cantilever and stylus assembly, with a commitment to complete the work within 8 business days from receiving the cartridge.
If there is anything else you would like to know or if you need further assistance, feel free to CONTACT US.
Our team is dedicated to providing you with timely and helpful responses, usually within 24 hours.
