Moving in at the very top of Goldring's range of moving coil cartridges, Ethos SE promises uncompromising engineering with unique new features which, says the brand, results in "exquisite sound reproduction capabilities".

Goldring says the Ethos SE benefits from a raft of exclusive and carefully engineered upgrades, including pure silver coils, low-reluctance pole shoes, and a black anodised, aircraft-grade aluminium body. We are told to expect new standards in detail retrieval, channel separation, and low colouration - "even when judged against cartridges costing a great deal more".

Reducing the effective tip mass of any phonograph pick-up will enhance its performance, so the Ethos SE relies on Ag 9999 pure silver coil windings. Goldring underlines this has very low internal resistance and lower mass because fewer windings are used. The coils, therefore, have a significantly lower mass than their standard copper windings. Here, the expected result is better tracking of the record groove and a greater transient response, a reduction in resonance throughout the audio band, and a flatter overall frequency response.

This refinement is partnered by a low-mass cross-armature of permeability Swedish iron instead of the conventional (and heavier) square alternative. Goldring states that this improves channel separation (better than 30dB @ 1kHz) and delivers an armature assembly that can produce an extraordinarily realistic stereo soundstage. The manufacturer also informs us that high-frequency detail levels are improved, distortion is reduced, and mistracking is almost totally eliminated. The channel balance is listed as within 1dB @ 1kHz.

The Ethos SE features a narrow, low tip mass (0.34 mg) and large contact area stylus. It is a nude design with a polyhedral, line-contact diamond profile, connected to the armature by a stiff yet lightweight alloy cantilever tube.

Originally developed during vinyl's initial rise to ubiquity, the GOL-1 generator is still handmade by Goldring and ensures a smooth and extended frequency response. Furthermore, the pole shoes on the SE version have been subjected to a new process, which is said to enhance the permeability of the metal, creating a lower reluctance magnetic circuit. The upshot, we're told, is that the frequency response is flattened and extended (20 Hz – 20 kHz ± 2 dB), especially in the upper registers where musical detail resides.

The GOL-1 generator sits in a precision-milled 6082-T6 aircraft-grade aluminium body shell. Goldring says it selected this material for its low density and superior rigidity. The Ethos SE is finished in anodised black. The recommended tracking weight is 1.75g (1.5 - 2.0 g) alongside a 20° tracking angle.

The Goldring Ethos SE moving coil cartridge is available now, priced at $1,999 USD.

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