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Get an exceptional improvement in analogue reproduction quality!
Korf HS-A02 works with practically all tonearm and cartridge combinations.
Korf HS-A02 works with practically all tonearm and cartridge combinations.
What's included:
– HS-A02 full ceramic headshell
– Pure silver litz wires
– Custom gold-plated contact pins and cartridge clips
– Brass fingerlift
– Screws in 3 lengths, knurled nuts, nylon washers
Mass 13 gram including wires and finger lift. For more specifications, click here.
We ship with a courier service every Wednesday. This is a lot faster than the regular post.
Slight discolorations and minor shape irregularities are possible. This is the nature of the ceramic material, not a defect.
Slight discolorations and minor shape irregularities are possible. This is the nature of the ceramic material, not a defect.
Reviews of HS-A02 Ceramic Headshell
Korf Audio HS-A02 headshell is one of The Absolute Sound's "2024 Recommended Products Under $1,000"!
TAS's Tom Martin said: "If you're using a standard removable head shell in your tone arm, this would seem to be the one to beat. ... The Korf has good mechanical rigidity measurements, we like the sound of it, and it's reasonably priced at $215 or thereabouts."
TAS's Tom Martin said: "If you're using a standard removable head shell in your tone arm, this would seem to be the one to beat. ... The Korf has good mechanical rigidity measurements, we like the sound of it, and it's reasonably priced at $215 or thereabouts."
The Danish website Pladespilleren.dk tested the Korf headshell against some serious (and more expensive) competition. Here's what they say:
"Very smooth and with lots of details upwards a "clean" sound. There is a calmness in the upper octaves, but at the same time a very fast bottom that starts and stops. ... Overall, the Korf house is one of the most neutral and revealing I have heard. It can make even cheaper pickups perform their best. ... Definitely an excellent headshell."
"Yes, there is a sound difference in headshells, not just these three, but many others as well. I have long since stopped using headshells of pressed plate. The three headshells tested here all belong to the top. Taking the price into consideration the Korf HS-A02 is close to a best buy. Absolutely recommended."
"Very smooth and with lots of details upwards a "clean" sound. There is a calmness in the upper octaves, but at the same time a very fast bottom that starts and stops. ... Overall, the Korf house is one of the most neutral and revealing I have heard. It can make even cheaper pickups perform their best. ... Definitely an excellent headshell."
"Yes, there is a sound difference in headshells, not just these three, but many others as well. I have long since stopped using headshells of pressed plate. The three headshells tested here all belong to the top. Taking the price into consideration the Korf HS-A02 is close to a best buy. Absolutely recommended."
What Our Customers Say
- 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.Jerry SneadMaryland, USA - 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.Tim ConnorKitsuneHiFi, USA
- 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.Jam SomasundramQuadratic Audio, USA - Your headshell is still the best I have heard!Victor PehAural Designs, Singapore
Why are Korf Headshells Better?
The World's Only Fully Ceramic Headshell
It's a single piece of alumina ceramic:
Advanced materials and construction make the headshell "disappear" sonically. You will hear what your cartridge and tonearm are really capable of!
- Light and incredibly strong
- As rigid as steel at less than half the weight
- The headshell and the connector are one seamless casting
- No internal breaks or lesser materials
- Unique supporting rib minimizes resonances
Advanced materials and construction make the headshell "disappear" sonically. You will hear what your cartridge and tonearm are really capable of!
Based on a Large Scale Study
We studied dozens of headshells to see what separates the best from the rest:
We build our headshell 2-3 times stronger than the next best headshell we measured. While keeping the energy storage as low as the best headshells out there.
- Quality headshells have high bending resistance. They are very stiff in bending and in torsion, showing low deflection
- Quality headshells have low energy storage. They "ring" only for a short time, and have only one or two clearly defined own frequencies
We build our headshell 2-3 times stronger than the next best headshell we measured. While keeping the energy storage as low as the best headshells out there.
No Detail is Ever Insignificant
- Pure silver litz wiring
- Custom gold-plated contact pins
- Double locking pin for a more rigid connection to the tonearm. The clamping load is spread over the entire diameter of the barrel
- Beautiful custom-made brass fingerlift, screws and knurled nuts are included
- Fully compatible. Fits all the tonearms that accept the standard "SME/Ortofon/JIS" type straight headshells
- Supplied in sturdy display packaging
HS-A02 Specifications
Fits all the tonearms that accept the standard "SME/Ortofon/JIS" type straight headshells. If you are worried about the headshell mass and its impact on tracking, please use our Tonearm/Cartridge Matching Calculator. Most arm/cartridge combinations work fine with HS-A02.
- 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
Note: there are some cartridges that need very light or highly resonant headshells to sound good. Such pickup cartridges might 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
Terms and Conditions
- ShippingWe will ship your purchase worldwide from Klosterneuburg, 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 purchase 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 anything you bought from us 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.
Photos: Ákos Burg, www.akosburg.com, Korf Audio