Description
RARE Direct Sound/Excel ES-1CE (Argent MC-310) LOMC Cartridge - Demo This listing is for one slightly used “demo” Direct Sound/Excel ES-1CE LOMC cartridge. This cartridge was in with the Argent inventory & is the same as the Argent MC-310 – see photo 19. Since it is not in “retail” packaging & did not have a serial number imprinted on the side, we are assuming this cartridge was used as a “demo”. (I etched in the #2 for inventory purposes.) Time on this cartridge is unknown, but the stylus tip looks to be in excellent condition. The specifications & features are listed below. YouTube demo video at: https://youtu.be/wGJYQTmUbIk Specifications: (From the advertisement in Japanese – last photo) Type – Moving coil Frequency response – 10 ~ 50 kHz Output voltage – 0.1 mV (1 kHz @ 50 mm/s) Channel balance – within 1 dB (1 kHz) Separation – 25 dB (1 kHz) Load Impedance - >12 ? Output Impedance – 3 ? (@ 1 kHz) Vertical tracking angle – 20 degrees Compliance – 8 x 10?? cm/dyne Tracking force – optimum 2 grams ± 0.2 grams Stylus tip – 0.3 x 0.7 mil Elliptical Nude Diamond Cantilever – Aluminum tube Weight – 7 grams JIS – 12.7 mm = standard ½ mounting List price – 23,500 yen = $169.48 Features: · One-point suspension system with two-shoulder damper for exceptional transient response. · Outer shell of ABS, a specially developed resin, for improved balances in the low and mid ranges. · Low mass nude diamond stylus and light weight cantilever provide excellent tracking capability. · Each cartridge is individually calibrated and bears a serial number. · Individual frequency response graph enclosed. Using the Argent MC-310 $79.00 “dealer” price back in 1985, adjusted for inflation, is the 2023 equivalent of $224.01. Using the inflation calculator at: officialdata.org/us/inflation/1985?amount=145 Let me give you some background: About 6 months ago I saw an Argent cartridge posted here on eBay. I had never seen or heard of that particular make, as possibly you have not either. I contacted the seller (tod8880) about specs & any other info he might have available. After some discussion, Todd asked I could give him some help trying to sell what turned out to be the LAST remaining inventory of the Argent cartridges. Todd’s wife is a cousin to the widow of Mr. Takayama, who worked for Direct Sound/Excel until his recent passing. Mrs. Takayama asked Todd if he could sell the remaining inventory. To make a very long story short, I am helping Todd do this. The majority of the sales will go to Mrs. Takayama. We did come across an Argent forum posting on the Audiogon website. It is called: “Mysterious Cartridges: forgotten Argent MC”. Todd & I found it to be very informative & have been in contact with some of posters on that discussion. If you interested in or just curious about the Argent cartridges, you should read it. Todd sent me all of the Argent items that were in Mr. Takayamas’ office in Boston. There are also a few Direct Sound/Excel cartridges. It took me about a week to go through all of them. I have inspected every one as best as I could. I checked the cantilevers for alignment & suspension. For the HOMC cartridges, I checked them as I do for all of my eBay cartridge listings. (I have sold over 1100 MM cartridges here.) I took photos of every cartridge showing the cantilevers, stylus tips, serial numbers, Br?el & Kjaer test strips, packaging, & accessories - if there were any. I am not going to state how many total cartridges there are, but we have at least 1 of every model, with the exception of the TOTL Diamond & Ruby cartridges. Also included are the original acrylic cartridge container & a “spec/data” pamphlet for an Argent MC-300/MC-310. Even though the cartridge was “checked” with an Ohmmeter & this combination has been visually checked, Todd will accept returns if found to be defective. This item will require an adults’ signature for delivery. The shown mailing cost includes full insurance & a delivery signature. All of the cartridge/stylus combinations I sell are sold AS IS - in working condition. I do not offer ANY type of refund, exchange, or return on these cartridge/stylus combinations. If you have an issue with sibilance, it probably means that the cartridge/stylus is not a good match for your tonearm. Not that there is anything defective with this cartridge or stylus. Note: The cantilever (the thin silver tube which the stylus tip is mounted to) is the fragile part of the stylus assembly. The stylus needs to be handled carefully. If the buyer breaks or bends the cantilever when un-packaging, inserting the stylus assembly into the cartridge, or handling the cartridge once the stylus is mounted, I will not be held responsible. This includes while mounting the cartridge to your headshell. It is best to mount your cartridge somewhat loosely first. Then install the stylus. Once the stylus is mounted into the cartridge, adjust the cartridge for the correct overhang for your particular turntable. If you are unfamiliar or inexperienced with installing, mounting, & adjusting cartridges/styli, please have an experienced professional do the installation for you. I do not ship outside of the United States or accept payments from non-U.S. registered accounts, even if your eBay “confirmed” shipping address is inside the U.S. SOLD “AS SHOWN” & “AS IS” I am not the original owner of most of the items I sell & I cannot guarantee THIS item is from a PET, CHILD, or SMOKE FREE environment. If you receive an item & there is an issue, PLEASE contact me BEFORE you leave feedback. Please check my other current listings. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO READ MY AUCTION TERMS. By BIDDING ON or using the BIN “Buy It Now” feature (If available) You ARE agreeing to My Auction Terms which are posted below. MY AUCTION TERMS: ALL ITEMS ARE SHIPPED BY USPS Ground Advantage Or Priority Mail TO YOUR “confirmed” eBay ACCOUNT ADDRESS. Bidding: U.S. registered eBay accounts ONLY. If you bought the wrong item, decided you do not want the item, or you hoped it was more than I stated in the listing, the item is yours to do whatever you like with it, with the exception of returning it to me &/or asking for a refund. Any unpaid item cases or cancelled winning bids/BINs will result in the buyer being permanently blocked from bidding on or buying any of my items. Warranty: Every item that I list is sold “AS SHOWN” & “AS IS” with NO WARRANTY, expressed or implied, unless I state a specific warranty within the description of the listed item in the auction. I spend a lot of time trying to describe all of the items that I list as accurately as I can. I am definitely not perfect & I do make mistakes. If you have ANY questions, need more information, or would like to see additional photos of the item that I have listed, ask me BEFORE you bid. I do not list any item that I know does not work as working. If the item is listed as USED or Refurbished, I cannot guarantee the item will work when you receive it as things can during the shipping process & vintage electronics can fail at any time. I do not accept returns; provide refunds (full or partial) or exchanges, with the exception of SNAD claims. If you win a SNAD claim, you will need to return the item to me packaged in the same way as your received it & in the same physical & functional condition as you claim you received the item. I will make a video of the unpacking & testing of ALL returned items to verify the condition of the item. ANY discrepancies will be reported to eBay. Payment: My PayPal account is set up to BLOCK payments from all non-U.S. registered PayPal accounts. I will only accept payments by accounts that are REGISTERED within the U.S. States & has a “confirmed” address. Shipping: I will only ship your item to your eBay “confirmed” address & the item will be shipped by either USPS Ground Advantage OR Priority Mail. Any item OR combination of items that sells for more than $74.99 will require an adults’ signature. I will not ship outside the United States. I do not charge for packaging, nor do I charge a handling fee. Everything I have posted on eBay is in my possession. I will usually ship your item within 3 “business days” (NOT including Saturday, Sunday, or Holidays) after I have received your payment.
Live search