Etsuro Urushi Bordeaux Cartridge
The Etsuro Urushi Bordeaux is a high-end moving coil cartridge designed to deliver accurate, natural and highly resolved analogue playback. Combining advanced engineering with traditional Japanese craftsmanship, it focuses on preserving signal integrity and minimising loss throughout the vibration path.
Key features:
• moving coil cartridge
• super microline diamond stylus (80μm contact surface)
• sapphire cantilever
• solid sapphire base plate (2.5mm)
• samarium cobalt magnetic circuit
• gold-plated terminal pins
• extra-super duralumin (A7075) body
• hand-finished urushi lacquer
Design and performance:
The super microline stylus is engineered to trace the record groove with extreme precision, closely following the original cutting profile. This improves tracking accuracy, reduces distortion and reveals fine detail within the recording.
The sapphire cantilever provides high rigidity and excellent transmission of vibration, allowing fast, clean signal transfer without unwanted resonance.
A unique aspect of the Bordeaux is the inclusion of a pure sapphire base plate at the headshell interface. This creates a continuous vibration path from stylus to cartridge body, reducing signal loss and improving overall coherence.
Materials and construction:
• sapphire cantilever for high-speed, low-distortion transmission
• 2.5mm sapphire base plate for improved energy transfer
• A7075 duralumin housing for rigidity and resonance control
• gold-plated terminals for secure signal connection
• traditional urushi lacquer finish for strength and aesthetic detail
The rigid, integrated structure helps maintain stability and minimise unwanted vibration.
Sound characteristics:
• highly detailed and accurate
• strong sense of balance and tonal weight
• smooth, natural presentation
• excellent clarity with controlled dynamics
Versions available:
• standard version – 0.25mV output
• special edition – 0.4mV output (enhanced dynamics and performance)
Build and craftsmanship:
Each Bordeaux cartridge is hand-finished using traditional urushi lacquer techniques by the Urushi Sakamoto Company. The layered coating process enhances both durability and visual depth, giving the cartridge its distinctive finish and refined appearance.
Note:
The Bordeaux is designed for high-performance analogue systems and requires a suitable phono stage or step-up transformer to match its output level.
