Skyanalog G-3 MKII

Skyanalog G-3 MKII – sapphire cantilever MC cartridge, top of the G-series

The G-series at its most refined

The Skyanalog G-3 MKII is the flagship of the revised G-series lineup, distinguished from the G-1 MKII and G-2 MKII by a sapphire cantilever — the hardest material deployed across the entire G-MKII family. Sapphire shares a Mohs hardness of 9 with ruby but differs in crystal structure, consequently offering a specific combination of stiffness and internal damping that makes it particularly well suited to cantilever applications. The G-3 MKII delivers the most accurate signal transmission of the three G-MKII models and represents the logical endpoint of the series for listeners who demand the maximum from their vinyl.

Why sapphire sets the G-3 MKII apart

Sapphire's crystallographic properties give it a distinct mechanical character compared to ruby, despite identical chemical composition. Bending stiffness is higher, and self-resonance within the cantilever is more effectively controlled — therefore transients are reproduced with exceptional speed and precision. Above all, this translates to sharper imaging, finer low-level detail retrieval, and a more composed presentation at the frequency extremes. Paired with an elliptical stylus ground to a 5/15 µm tip radius, the G-3 MKII combines analytical rigour with genuine musical engagement.

Yan suspension and shared G-MKII architecture

The G-3 MKII is built on the same technical foundation as the entire G-MKII family. The Yan suspension system pairs custom-grade piano wire with a proprietary rubber compound of increased rigidity, thereby suppressing unwanted resonances without affecting frequency response. Recommended tracking force is 1.35 g — lower than the MKI generation — which reduces mechanical wear on stylus and record alike. Internal impedance is 6 ohms, with a recommended load of 200 to 470 ohms. An adjustable phono stage will consequently extract more from this cartridge than a fixed 100-ohm input.

Housing, finish, and system matching

The G-3 MKII's grey anodised aluminium body shares the bead-blasted surface treatment of its G-MKII siblings. This aerospace-derived process work-hardens the alloy and creates a dimpled finish that damps structural resonances within the body itself. Flat front and side faces simplify headshell alignment. At 10.7 g with a dynamic compliance of 12 µm/mN, the cartridge suits tonearms of medium effective mass. The ideal system resonance sits between 8 and 12 Hz — our team is happy to help you verify compatibility.

Specifications

• Type: Moving Coil (MC), low output
• Cantilever: Sapphire
• Stylus: Elliptical, bonded
• Stylus tip radius: r/R = 5/15 µm
• Stylus angle: 20°
• Output voltage: 0.32 mV
• Internal impedance: 6 ohms
• Recommended load impedance: 200–470 ohms
• Recommended tracking force: 1.35 g (range: 1.1–1.4 g)
• Dynamic compliance: 12 µm/mN
• Coil material: pure iron, square winding
• Channel separation: better than 30 dB (1 kHz)
• Suspension: Yan system
• Body: anodised aluminium (grey), bead-blasted
• Weight: 10.7 g

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the G-2 MKII and the G-3 MKII?

The cantilever material is the sole distinction — ruby in the G-2 MKII, sapphire in the G-3 MKII. Despite identical Mohs hardness, sapphire's different crystal structure yields higher bending stiffness and more effective self-resonance control, consequently improving signal transmission and transient precision. All other specifications are shared across both models.

How does the G-3 MKII compare to the Skyanalog REF?

Both use a sapphire cantilever, but the REF pairs it with a Micro-Ridge stylus rather than an elliptical profile, and features a two-part aluminium housing with further resonance control measures. The G-3 MKII represents the top of the G-series; the REF steps beyond that into reference territory at a considerably higher price point.

What phono stage does the G-3 MKII require?

The recommended load impedance of 200 to 470 ohms exceeds the 100-ohm standard on many fixed MC inputs. An adjustable phono stage is therefore recommended to optimise performance. Contact Novus Audio for tailored advice on compatible pairings.