Transfiguration users

[Petrat]

Transfiguration cartridges ceased production a few years ago. A couple of questions for users:
1. What did you replace your Transfiguration with? Anything currently in production that has a similar presentation?
2. Any experience of re-tippers that do a proper job? (i.e. correct stylus and don't screw with Transfig's strengths/sound)

 

[Argonaut]

Retipping Services and Installing a Diamond Cantilever

Since many years, I have had Transfiguration Proteus cartridges in my main analog set up (Brinkmann Balance turntable and SAT tonearm). I also have a Lyra Etna and a Phasemation PP200 mounted on two other turntables. When my first Transfiguration Proteus had to be retipped, Immutable Music...

www.whatsbestforum.com

 

[Zero000]

My Orpheus is still going fine, twice re-tipped by Expect Stylus Co, England.

 

[Petrat]

Thanks for the info.

I had a Transfig. Spirit back around the turn of the century. When I bought it, the UK distributor was offering a trade in for new when the cartridge reached the end of its life. Unfortunately when the time came, they no longer offered that deal, so I had it re-tipped by a UK outfit who fitted a Geiger stylus. It sounded very different to the original, so I am a bit wary of re-tips the don't use the correct stylus. However, I believe Anamighty in France do use the correct Ogura PA ones?

I also thought I read something to the effect that the Hyabusa (?) cartridges are very similar in design to the Transfig. ones, and that they would rebuild old Transfiguration carts. Or maybe I imagined that Anybody heard one?

 

[theflattire]

Steve at VAS retipped my Spirit MKIII.
I think we went with an Ogura PA.

 

[shakti]

Mutech is using the generator technology from the former Transfiguration carts, produced as OEM by My Sonic Lab.

very good carts!

Just a new one presented in Munich

 

[tima]

Mutech is using the generator technology from the former Transfiguration carts, produced as OEM by My Sonic Lab.

very good carts!

Just a new one presented in Munich

Thanks for that. I had the Orpheus and Phoenix (still have) and enjoyed them.

Are you referring to the Hayabusa ?

Cartridges by Mutech - Galibier Design

Cartridges by MutechIn the past decade, a group of Japanese designers with centuries of combined cartridge design experience are finally gaining the attention of U.S. analog lovers. Deservedly gaining recognition alongside the likes of Koetsu, Fidelity Research, Kiseki and Supex, U.S...

galibierdesign.com

 

[shakti]

Are you referring to the Hayabusa ?

I have the Orpheus L and had the Hayabusa,
in Munich Mutech had a new cart, based on Transfiguration generator on Demo, do not know the name.

 

[tima]

I have the Orpheus L and had the Hayabusa,
in Munich Mutech had a new cart, based on Transfiguration generator on Demo, do not know the name.

Thanks. What did you think of the Hayabusa ?

 

[jcarr]

Mutech is using the generator technology from the former Transfiguration carts, produced as OEM by My Sonic Lab.

very good carts!

Just a new one presented in Munich

The magnet and generator technology that went into the Transfiguration cartridges was invented by Eiji Kanda and initially supported by Asakura at Supex, as you can read here

MUTECH - Nirvana Sound

Eiji Kanda was a legendary craftsman of audio transformers and MC Cartridges who had spent his career designing products for many well-known brands.

nirvanasound.com

and here

Audiogon Discussion Forum

Philips distributed a number of MC cartridges, mostly in Japan. Type-numbers are GP922, GP922Z, G924XE and G925XSHere >>click<< is a picture...

forum.audiogon.com

Some years after Asakura retired (due to health reasons) and Supex effectively ceased, Kanda teamed up with businessman Seiji Yoshioka, and the result became Transfiguration.

Later, Kanda and Yoshioka acrimoniously parted ways, leading to Kanda founding Mutech.
Once Kanda left Transfiguration, Yoshioka had to stop sales of single ring-magnet MC cartridges (since these were built by Kanda), while Mutech continued along this path.

Kanda subsequently trained and worked with Akiko Ishiyama of IT Kogyo, before he passed away in 2020.

The new cartridge is called the RM-Hayate, and is made by Akiko Ishiyama, based on designs left by Kanda (not My Sonic Lab, where did that idea come from?).

Perhaps you can use a translator on this Japanese page.

MUTECH ミューテック RM-HAYATE 颯 MCカートリッジ 日本製 オーディオ専門店 サウンドハイツ

MUTECH RM-HAYATE 《颯》 一貫して独自に開発したヨークレスのリングマグネット方式の磁気回路を極限までシンプルにした新世代のMCカートリッジ

www.soundheights.jp

 

[Carlos Villarreal]

Is it true that vintage Sumiko cartridges like the Talisman, Alchemist and Virtuoso were acolaborationwith Transfiguration?