Experience the Award-Winning Phono Cartridges

ZYX is a Japanese phono cartridge manufacturer founded in 1986 by engineer Hisayoshi Nakatsuka, whose career spans several influential stages of analogue cartridge development. Before establishing ZYX, Nakatsuka worked at Trio/Kenwood, later at Ortofon in Denmark where he contributed to the MC-20 cartridge, and subsequently led OEM cartridge development at Namiki Precision Jewel.

ZYX cartridges focus on reducing mechanical and electromagnetic distortion within the generator. Nakatsuka’s designs carefully address coil geometry, magnet structures, and vibration control in order to preserve the timing relationships within the musical signal. The brand name itself refers to the three elements of analogue sound reproduction: time (Z), amplitude (Y), and frequency (X).

Over the years ZYX cartridges have earned international recognition, including multiple “Cartridge of the Year” awards and Class-A ratings in Stereophile, reflecting their reputation among serious analogue listeners.