Japanese audio specialist Analog Relax has introduced the EX‑700 MC, a moving‑coil phono cartridge with a housing carved from rare spruce timber. The company sources spruce from the same forests in South Tyrol that produced wood for Stradivarius violins and applies layers of classical oil varnish to achieve resonant properties. Each housing is hand‑finished, ensuring unique grain patterns and depth.

The EX‑700 uses a custom line‑contact stylus mounted on an anodized aluminium cantilever. The stylus shape tracks grooves with precision, reducing distortion and surface noise, while the cantilever’s rigidity helps convey detail and dynamics.

Inside, silver coil windings deliver an output voltage of 0.5 mV and an internal impedance of 8 ohms, making the cartridge suitable for most step‑up transformers and preamplifiers. The overall weight is around 9 g, allowing for straightforward tonearm matching.

Analog Relax positions the EX‑700 as a flagship cartridge for discerning vinyl enthusiasts. By combining luthier‑grade spruce with modern micromechanical engineering, the company aims to create a cartridge that blends musical warmth with resolution.

The price reflects its artisanal nature—around $13,500—so it will appeal to audiophiles who view hi‑fi components as investments.