I named them the bass monsters. Probably coloured but who cares? If I need bass, I call the Acutex. There are some weird things about these cartridges.I first heard of Acutex when I somehow got a Piezo YM-308 in my hands a couple of years back (I can't remember how). At the time I assumed it was somewhat of a lowly cartridge, probably with a conical tip so I never paid much attention to it. One day I just mounted it for fun and I thought this cartridge was sounding much more interesting than I wrongly assumed. So I tried to get some info about it and found out that Piezo=Azden=Acutex. Azden remained a bit of a mystery but there were bits and scraps of information to be found about Acutex. I believe Acutex was the American brand name of Piezo/Azden.My info so far as found in different places on the net:Two series of cartridges of interest: the M3xxIII and the M4xx series. The M3xxIII series I'm talking about are the M310 through the M320 models, not the M306 (conical) and M307 (elliptical) models. I think these are not interchangable with the others. These 2 don't have the tri-pole system but the dual-pole just like the M206, M207 and M208.Of the M3xxIII series there are two different body versions: the old flat nose (end 70's) and the newer long nose (beginning 80's). The M4xx series only consists of long nose versions. The long nose versions are all LPM, Lowest Possible Mass (what a statement!).Both series are "Tri-pole Induced Magnetic Systems" with a US patent.The M3xxIII long nose version has a different stylus mounting than the M4xx series so styli are not interchangeable. I like the M3xxIII mounting over the M4xx because it's much more secure, it feels less flubby. The original flat nose version is even better, it's the best stylus mounting I've ever seen: easy, safe and firm, just the way I like it. The big magnet keeps the stylus in place.Gold pins on the 315,320 and on the 415/420.Both series have a stylus range from 1 elliptical to 3 so-called STR (Super Tri Radial??) styli.M3xxIII series both flat-nose and long-nose models:310: 0.3x0.7 mil elliptical, aluminium cantilever312: STR 0.3x1.6x0.6 mil, aluminium cantilever, bonded315: Perfect STR 0.3x1.6x0.6 mil (selected from 312??, nude??)320: Perfect Vital STR 0.3x1.6x0.5 mil, titanium cantilever, nude mounted? The 320 has the lowest mass jewel.M4xx series:410: probably 0.3x0.7 mil elliptical412: STR (no stylus dimensions)415 & 420: Perfect STR (no stylus dimensions)The M4xx styli have a translucent plastic body, the M3xx have not.The M3xx series old flat nose style should have a DCR of 610 Ohm.The M3xx series long nose should have 580 Ohm.The M4xx series 710 Ohm.I measured them and it doesn't really add up.M3xx old flat nose body: 625 & 589 Ohm, in range of stated 610 OhmM3xx long nose body: 515 & 515 Ohm (wow!), in range of stated 580 OhmM4xx body: ranging from 435 to 460 Ohm, measured with 3 bodies. No way near 710 Ohm as stated in the booklet.Weird isn't it?Acutex revised the tracking force for the M3xxIII series long nose to a much higher VTF. For example the M320III: original VTF was 0.4-0.75mg, revised to 1.5-2.3mg. Makes you wonder about the compliance figures. M320III has 42x10-6 cm/dyne. Weird, isn't it?Enough with all the words, let's have some pics!
