Phasemation PP-2000

Phasemation has been hi-fi+’s most recent analogue ‘find.’ The Japanese company’s entry-level PP-200 cartridge impressed us and the EA-350 phono stage did the same. Now its three for three with the Phasemation PP-2000 moving coil cartridge.

Following the recent introduction of the PP-5000 flagship, the PP-2000 is now second from the top. It has a ‘five + one’ cartridge range; the ‘+ one’ being a dedicated mono model.

The PP-2000 features a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coated Duralumin body with vibration damping built-in to keep noise low.

Its line contact diamond stylus has a boron cantilever that attaches to 6N oxygen-free copper magnetic coils. The magnet is made from samarium cobalt with a Permendur (cobalt/iron) yoke, an expensive option but one that combines high energy density and saturation, permeability, and temperature stability. Phasemation also reshaped the yoke to increase the uniformity of the magnetic field.

Internal impedance

The PP-2000 produces a 0.3mV output with a four-ohm internal impedance, which is on the low side but nothing to trouble a decent phono stages. Phasemation’s own EA-350, for example, had no problems, even though that meant we never got to play with the company’s step-up transformers. Weighing in at 14.3g and with very low compliance of 8.0 × 106cm/dyne, the PP-2000 is ideal with moderate to high mass tonearms, such as an SME V or similar. My Kuzma 4Point 9 arm worked perfectly.

Setting up the cartridge is aided by the squared-off shape and the sightline at the front of its body, which is useful because the cantilever is short. The PP-2000 follows the Japanese trend of eschewing threaded inserts in the mounting holes. Downforce of between 1.7 and 2g is recommended.

This is a real beauty of a cartridge, in more ways than one. It looks beautiful on the tonearm; all rich blacks and gold in a ‘restrained bling’ that makes sense in the flesh. It tracks beautifully; only an old Decca ‘1812’ foxed it, and it has grooves so wide you aren’t sure if it’s music or tramlines. And, most of all, its sound is always beautiful and elegant.

Gliding is cool

Some cartridges are ‘edge of the seat’ stuff; all leading edges and aggression. This is the opposite and it’s all the more wonderful for being just that. Music just glides out of this cartridge with a rare refinement and grace, and a lot of tonal balance. You will play jazz through this cartridge; it’s not that it is tailoring the sound to make it a jazz-only design, but you will just find yourself playing cool jazz for the sheer beauty of the sound.

The soundstage is full and focused, the individual instrument voices are perfectly portrayed, and the whole musical event is simply played with such panache that it makes the pull of those late 1950s jazz standards irresistible. And playing ‘Summertime’ from Porgy & Bess [Verve] puts Ella Fitzgerald in the room. It can do rock and dance music and classical – especially classical piano – extremely well, but that ‘hairs on the back of the neck’ moment when listening to ‘Summertime’ just sets the Phasemation apart.

The more you listen to the PP‑2000, the more you want to listen. The Phasemation PP-2000 doesn’t exaggerate or understate the music and makes many cartridges sound peaky and uneven by comparison. This is the real deal. If you like music played with elegance and beauty, this is one of the best-sounding cartridges you can buy!

Price and contact details

• Price: £4,595

Manufacturer:

Phasemation

www.phasemation.com

UK distributor

Select Audio

www.selectaudio.co.uk

+44(0)1900 601954

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