“ …the Black sounded surprisingly extraordinary in the areas of palpable instrumental/vocal timbre, transparency, speed, and clarity right out of the box.”
APRIL 2, 2026
Jon Valin’s review in The Absolute Sound’s Analog Issue is subtitled "Setting a Standard—Again” and he concludes:
"This is a great cartridge...In his sterling review of the Grand Master in HFNRR, Ken Kessler said something he seldom says about products under review. To wit, this is possibly the best cartridge he’s ever heard. I hate to be a copycat, but…ditto."
Read the entire Absolute Sound review here.
RECENT NEWS
Join Us at AXPONA 2026 APRIL 10-12th, 2026: We invite you to experience world-class analog playback at AXPONA 2026. You can schedule a private appointment or simply stop by — walk-ins are welcome. You’ll find us on the main floor in the Connection Room, Perfection Room and Knowledge Room, alongside our Chicago dealer, Quintessence Audio.
MARCH 31, 2026
Simply put, the Excel Sound team has delivered a masterpiece.
FEBRUARY 11, 2026