Distinguished by the letter 'H' stuck to its underside, this high output version of the R-50 has an even higher output than ZYX suggests (0.48mV) at 0.73mV/1kHz re. 5cm/sec. Furthermore the vertical compliance of our R-50 was rather lower than expected at just 6cu which, with the R-50's lightweight 5g plastic shell, means heavyweight tonearms are de rigueur unless the system resonant frequency is not to be pushed too high (18Hz in the SME V). Tracking is also affected, the R-50 cutting loose beyond 60pm (80pm at 1.8g is specified) while failing to traverse the +15dB/300Hz groove with total security. Nevertheless, its lateral response is very flat and extended, including a slight +1 dB bass boost, and this plus its uniform distortion trend [see Graph] promises a dynamic central imagery.
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