UNIverse Optimum

About the UNIverse Optimum

The ZYX UNIverse Optimum moving coil phono cartridge represents a pinnacle in cartridge performance, surpassing the already highly acclaimed UNIverse Premium. It features an extremely low coil resistance of 1 Ohm and a very low output voltage of 0.15 mV in one version, optimized for current amplification phono preamps, and another version with 4 Ohm coil resistance and 0.24 mV output for more standard loading. The cartridge uses a carbon fiber cantilever, differing from the boron cantilever in the Premium model, contributing to its refined sound characteristics. It delivers remarkable clarity, tonal balance, and neutrality without any analytical harshness or midrange coloration, offering a transparent and natural analog sound. The UNIverse Optimum is praised for its vivid realism, instrument separation, and sound staging, making it a new reference standard in high-end phono cartridges. It is compatible with various high-quality tonearms and pairs well with specialized phono preamplifiers such as the BMC MCCI ULN and Aurorasound VIDA-prima. The cartridge is distributed exclusively by SORAsound and is considered a bargain relative to its predecessor given its performance improvements.