A turntable/arm combo was coming in for review and I was mulling over a good cartridge match. We have a few in-house that would be financially compatible (around 2K) with the $2990 ‘table, but I wanted to try something new. After some discussion at a recent meeting, Bryan Taylor, Canadian distributor of Skyanalog suggested the Chinese manufacturer’s range of cartridges.

Skyanalog has been around for nearly a quarter of a century and has been manufacturing OEM cartridges for important brands and now manufactures nine of its in-house branded cartridges, all moving coil. The REF, the G Series (this review is of the G-3, the most expensive G cart at USD 2200) and the entry-level P Series.

The G-3 is a lovely-looking, well-made cartridge. It was very easy to install and set up. Tracking sets at 1.6 grams. The Skyanalog has a sapphire cantilever, with an elliptical stylus from Orbray. The MC weighs 10 grams and has an output of 0.35 mV, an internal impedance of 8 ohms and a dynamic compliance of 10. Its recommended load is 200-470; as my Phasemation EA-350 is hard set to 110, loading was not ideal, however, the cart did not seem to suffer.

My Use

We installed the cart on the in-for-review Muarah MT3 Turntable (review forthcoming) (USD 2990), the two-point install on the ‘table’s Muarah MY-1/9 tonearm was quick and rock solid. Overhang and the null points were figured out almost first try with the the Ortofon protractor. And we dialled in 1.6 grams tracking with the Ortofon DS-1 digital stylus force gauge. Break-in is suggested at 30 hours; we complied. However, some righteous moving coil subtlety was happening on the first needle drop.

Sound

After the breakin, the treble smoothed out somewhat and the bass was better defined; everything got more refined, characteristic of a well-designed moving coil cartridge.

Voices sounded especially good, so Billie Holday’s smoky contralto had the years of experience you want on her records; here, Songs for Distingué Lovers, the superb, vibrant Classic Records reissue. And when Alvin Stoller’s kick drum excites the soundstage and the listener’s senses on “Day In, Day Out”, the G-3 did not leave you wanting.

Massed strings that can sound congealed played by lesser carts, were delineated on Romantic Russia, the classic Solti Decca from 1966. And when the brass comes on strong on Night on Bare Mountain, no worries, no distortion, just a full brass section. Even tracking the challenging final inner grooves of the RCA Living Stereo original pressing of Martinon and the LSO Borodin Symphony No. 2 (RCA crams the entire symphony on one side!) was zero effort by the G-3.

Chamber music sounded especially fine on the Skyanalog. The Philips pressing of the Debussy and Ravel String Quartets were rendered superbly by the cart—the Quartetto Italiano’s vaunted tone was fulsome on tuttis, but also allowed each player’s distinctive timbre to be heard clearly. This type of playback is what I’m listening for on top-quality moving coils.

After a few weeks with the cart on the MT3 turntable, I was deeply immersed. I then decided to throw on the Billie Holiday record onto my CAD 25,000 turntable/tonearm/cart combo. Oh boy, very impressive, a sound the admirable Muarah/Skyanalog could not compete with. A 17K difference in price and sound. It’s axiomatic that you get exactly what you pay for with high-end moving coil cartridges with very few exceptions. Also, the law of diminishing returns is in always effect. But all the while, I was enjoying the tonal qualities of the Skyanalog cartridge, its ability to convey power, its effervescent personality and its tracking prowess.

Summary

I was generally impressed with this lovely cartridge from China. I didn’t know what to expect, but a moving coil at $2200 has a lot of competition and had better bring it. It did.

If I had between USD 2000 and USD 2500 to invest in a cartridge, I’d take a serious look at the Skyanalog G-3. But for a few hundred dollars less, I’m familiar with the Pure Fidelity Stratos, the Phasemation PP-200, and the Goldring Ethos, all crackerjack carts. And for $2500, there’s the much-talked-about Hana Umami Blue.

So a big ask and a big pond for any new cart. Yet Skyanalog manufacturing is so good, that many top companies use their OEM expertise to bring their carts to market. Now is Skyanalog’s chance to shine, and with the G-3, they do. Be sure to give it a listen if you’re on the lookout for a new, young gun moving coil. Highly recommended.

Further information: Skyanalog