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HS-A02 offers an exceptional improvement in analogue reproduction quality through highest possible rigidity — more than twice of the next best headshell on the market.
Aren't all headshells more or less same?
hs-a02 is Measurably better
Korf Audio did a large-scale study of historic and currently available headshells using our unique set of vibration measurement techniques. You can follow the study and see its results at https://korfaudio.com/blog46
As a result of this study, we designed the HS-A02 with rigidity in mind, using advanced simulation and prototyping tools. It's more than twice as rigid as the next best headshell measured by Korf Audio. Higher stiffness directly translates into clearly audible sonic improvement.
As a result of this study, we designed the HS-A02 with rigidity in mind, using advanced simulation and prototyping tools. It's more than twice as rigid as the next best headshell measured by Korf Audio. Higher stiffness directly translates into clearly audible sonic improvement.
Unique one-piece CONSTRUCTION with reinforcing rib
The advances in ceramic production allowed us to integrate the connector and the headshell into one seamless casting. There's not a single point where the headshell is structurally weakened by a connection or use of lesser materials.
To further increase rigidity, we've created a rib supporting the 90 degree "bend" in the headshell. This rib decreases the effective length of the flat headshell part, and thus moves its resonance frequency up and the deflection down.
In all the other ceramic headshells, rigidity is compromised by the interface between the metal/polymer connector barrel and the ceramic part.
To further increase rigidity, we've created a rib supporting the 90 degree "bend" in the headshell. This rib decreases the effective length of the flat headshell part, and thus moves its resonance frequency up and the deflection down.
In all the other ceramic headshells, rigidity is compromised by the interface between the metal/polymer connector barrel and the ceramic part.
fully compatible
Fits all the tonearms that accept the standard "SME/Ortofon/JIS" type straight headshells.
HS-A02 weighs 13 gram, including wires and fingerlift. If you are worried about the headshell mass and its impact on tracking, please use our Tonearm/Cartridge Matching Calculator. In general, most arm/cartridge combinations work fine with HS-A02.
Note: there are some cartridges that need very light or highly resonant headshells to sound good. Such pickup cartridges would not benefit from using the HS-A02 headshell. To the best of our knowledge, these include JICO Seto Hori moving coil cartridge and all Grado MI cartridges
HS-A02 weighs 13 gram, including wires and fingerlift. If you are worried about the headshell mass and its impact on tracking, please use our Tonearm/Cartridge Matching Calculator. In general, most arm/cartridge combinations work fine with HS-A02.
Note: there are some cartridges that need very light or highly resonant headshells to sound good. Such pickup cartridges would not benefit from using the HS-A02 headshell. To the best of our knowledge, these include JICO Seto Hori moving coil cartridge and all Grado MI cartridges
Attention to detail
- Better signal integrity through the use of pure silver litz wiring and custom gold-plated contact pins
- More rigid connection to the tonearm thanks to the double locking pin. The clamping load is spread over the entire diameter of the barrel
- Beautiful custom-made brass fingerlift, screws and knurled nuts are included
- HS-A02 is supplied in foam-padded display packaging
Please note that due to the nature of the ceramic material, slight discolorations and minor shape irregularities are possible. They make each headshell unique and do not constitute a defect.
Get yours today!
Available right now for € 199.- plus shipping
at our partners The Supersense
at our partners The Supersense
What Our Customers Say
“
Phono playback systems are an essential design tool in our business and the enjoyment of music. To this end it is important that every element of your playback system is optimized.
An often overlooked piece in this chain is the headshell. I have tested and listened to multiple headshells and I can honestly say that the Korf HS-A02 is the finest device of its kind by a wide margin. You might be surprised that something so seemingly insignificant can change the performance of your tone arm dramatically. The design is based on scientific principles and painstaking research, no snake oil here.
Korf's research into resonance and vibration has borne fruit and has produced something special.
To sum it up, if you are serious about music reproduction you owe it to yourself to try the HS-A02... put in a few words, elegance, simplicity and purity.
An often overlooked piece in this chain is the headshell. I have tested and listened to multiple headshells and I can honestly say that the Korf HS-A02 is the finest device of its kind by a wide margin. You might be surprised that something so seemingly insignificant can change the performance of your tone arm dramatically. The design is based on scientific principles and painstaking research, no snake oil here.
Korf's research into resonance and vibration has borne fruit and has produced something special.
To sum it up, if you are serious about music reproduction you owe it to yourself to try the HS-A02... put in a few words, elegance, simplicity and purity.
“
Your headshell is still the best I have heard!
“
I have a lot of high end headshells and the Korf ceramic headshell is easily one of my most favorite headshells. I bought 4 of them for myself and another 4-6 more for friends. I have about 15 cartridges and mount some of my finest ones on the Korf ceramic headshell. I highly recommend this headshell to those who are audio enthusiasts and want nothing short of the best.
“
As a long time audiophile I have often wondered about the advantages of different headshells. I knew through experience that the quality of the material and design had an effect on sound quality. I recently purchased the new Technics SL1210GAE and the stock headshell is ok but not great. I also used an Ortofon carbon fiber headshell and it made a nice difference. So I started doing research on what else is available, came across a blog by Alex and followed his developments and tests. I felt his approach to reduce resonance at the most important place — where cartridge attaches to its support — could and should improve the sound.
What I found with his ceramic design was that the headshell just gets out of the way of of the micro movements of the stylus and cantilever allowing for all or music retrieval to be revealed. It really is like removing a layer of cloth over the sound with clearer highs and dynamic bass. The Korf headshell is a component on its own and highly recommended.
What I found with his ceramic design was that the headshell just gets out of the way of of the micro movements of the stylus and cantilever allowing for all or music retrieval to be revealed. It really is like removing a layer of cloth over the sound with clearer highs and dynamic bass. The Korf headshell is a component on its own and highly recommended.
Terms and Conditions
- ShippingOur partner The Supersense will ship your headshell worldwide from Vienna, Austria. Shipping and handling is at cost.
If you are outside the EU, we cannot promise that you will or will not have to pay your country's import taxes and duties. - ReturnsIf you aren't satisfied with your HS-A02 headshell for any reason whatsoever we will gladly take it back within 40 days from the date of delivery.
There is no charge for restocking If you return all items in the original packaging. If you are in the EU we will cover the return shipment costs. - 1 Year WarrantyWe will replace your HS-A02 headshell free of charge if it fails due to manufacturing defects within 1 year from the date of delivery.
- Safe and SecureWe will keep your data as secure as we can and will not do anything with it without first getting a permission from you. If you don't want us to store your data any more (for example, your email address), just let us know and we will delete it straight away.
We would never sell your details to any marketer. Period, no exceptions. - Quality EngineeringWe only offer things that we have designed ourselves, and that are manufactured to our specifications under our control.
We do not re-badge someone else's products to sell them as our own. - Real People, Real OpinionAll product endorsements you see on our site and in our advertising are from real people who enjoy their Korf Audio products.
Korf Audio would not exist without free exchange of sincere opinion on the internet. We do not post any promotional content pretending to be a personal opinion on any public forum.
HS-A02 Specifications
- SME/Ortofon/JIS type turntable headshell
- Single seamless casting, material: Alumina Ceramic
- Pure silver Litz connecting wires
- Custom gold-plated contact pins
- Custom non-magnetic brass mounting hardware
- Double locating pin for extremely secure connection
- Weight 13 gram, including wires and fingerlift
Want to know what else we're up to?
We love to share what we know and to show what we are doing in our blog. Usually, there is one new post a month. Please subscribe by leaving your mail below:
There's a lot to explore in the Blog Archives! Here are some of the most read articles:
From stamped aluminium sheet to exotic ceramics, from the simplest to clockwork-complex—the variety of headshells is bewildering. But do they really differ so much?
Many analogue enthusiasts believe that the cartridge's compliance should be precisely matched with the tonearm's effective mass. But what if we measure what happens when there's a supposed mismatch? Is there a tracking-busting low frequency resonance?
In a three-part series, we explore the "common knowledge" around the azimuth adjustment. Is it based on solid fact, or is it simply a carryover of misapplied research and questionable practices?
Contact us
or you can simply write to alex@korfaudio.com
Photos: Ákos Burg, www.akosburg.com, Korf Audio