Aurex C-550M

Commentary

MM type cartridge that uses carbon fiber cantilever.

The C-550M is a single cartridge model and the C-550MS is a shell pre-wired model.

Carbon fiber cantilever is used for the cantilever.
Carbon fiber is a composite material of carbon fiber and thermosetting resin. It is one of the ideal materials for cantilever because of its light weight, high rigidity, and high internal loss characteristics. The development of Rolex began in 1969, and the solid carbon fiber cantilever utilizing the characteristics of the material straight with C-550M has been realized. By making it a solid rod of 0.37 mm diameter, it has overcome the difficulty of processing.

The characteristic diagram shows a peak at around 17 kHz. This peak is used to improve flatness in the mid - and high-frequency range without being squeezed.
This peak is not caused by the cantilever itself, but by the vibration system including dampers and magnets.

An extended needle developed by Aurex is used for the needle tip.
The エンクステンド needle belongs to a group called the line contact type in the contact shape of the needle tip. The contact area is large, and the shape of the contact surface is close to that of the cutter needle. Therefore, high frequency resolution and reproduction sound with less tracing distortion can be obtained.
The needle is made of corundum crystal, which has the same hardness as a diamond needle but has good cost performance. It is polished so that the axis direction of the high hardness comes into contact with the sound groove.

The magnetic circuit uses ferrite yoke with excellent high-frequency characteristics.

Model Rating

Type	MM Type Cartridge
Frequency characteristic	20 Hz to 25 kHz
Output voltage	5 mv (1 kHz, 50mm/s)
Separation	25dB(1kHz)
Channel balance	1dB(1kHz)
Compliance	15x10-6cm/dyne
DC resistance	470 Ω
Impedance	2.8k Ω (1 kHz)
Needle pressure	1.0g ~ 2.0g
Needle tip	Ultra-extended needle
Cantilever	Solid carbon fiber
Dead weight	5.2g
Exchange needle	N-550C-EX(¥4,500)