Skyanalog Reference

Skyanalog Reference – flagship MC cartridge with sapphire cantilever and Micro-Ridge stylus

Designed from the ground up

The Skyanalog Reference is the flagship of the entire Skyanalog lineup and shares no design compromises with the G- or P-series. Its two-part gold anodised aluminium housing — developed exclusively for the REF — provides a significantly stiffer and less resonant platform than the single-piece bodies of the other models. Furthermore, the magnetic circuit has been completely redesigned to maximise interference rejection and ensure the most accurate signal retrieval possible. Hi-Fi News awarded it Outstanding Product in November 2024, noting that it does not need to hide from even the most expensive competitors.

Sapphire cantilever and Micro-Ridge stylus

At the core of the Skyanalog Reference sits a sapphire cantilever paired with a Micro-Ridge diamond stylus ground to a 3/80 µm tip radius. Sapphire's Mohs hardness of 9 delivers exceptional stiffness at minimal mass — consequently, bending distortion within the cantilever is reduced to an absolute minimum. The Micro-Ridge profile contacts the groove wall across an extremely narrow footprint, thereby tracing high-frequency groove modulations with precision that broader stylus geometries cannot match. The result is a frequency response extending from 20 Hz to 30 kHz, with a channel separation of better than 35 dB.

6N OCC copper coils and Yan suspension

The REF's coils are wound with 6N OCC copper — 99.9999% pure copper produced via the Ohno Continuous Casting process, which yields an unusually uniform crystal structure throughout the conductor. This reduces noise and distortion at the point of signal generation. The Yan suspension system is specifically tuned to the mechanical properties of the sapphire cantilever, therefore controlling unwanted resonances at a dynamic compliance of 15 µm/mN. Above all, this compliance figure makes the REF compatible with a wide range of medium to moderately heavy tonearms.

Gold housing and system integration

The two-part gold anodised body is immediately distinctive and features threaded fixing points for secure, repeatable mounting. Internal impedance is 50 ohms — lower than the G-MKII models — with a recommended load of 100 to 330 ohms. At 0.35 mV output, the REF works with any capable MC phono stage offering at least 60 dB of gain. A run-in period of at least 30 hours is recommended before critical listening. The symmetrical housing and exposed cantilever make alignment straightforward despite the cartridge's reference-grade specification.

Specifications

• Type: Moving Coil (MC), low output
• Cantilever: Sapphire
• Stylus: Micro-Ridge diamond
• Stylus tip radius: r/R = 3/80 µm
• Stylus angle: 20°
• Output voltage: 0.35 mV
• Internal impedance: 50 ohms
• Recommended load impedance: 100–330 ohms
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 30 kHz
• Channel separation: better than 35 dB
• Channel balance: approx. 0.5 dB
• Dynamic tracking ability (315 Hz): 80 µm
• Dynamic compliance: 15 µm/mN
• Coil material: 6N OCC copper, square winding
• Suspension: Yan system
• Recommended tracking force: 1.0–1.6 g
• Tonearm mass: medium
• Body: two-part, gold anodised aluminium
• Weight: approx. 11.8 g
• Run-in period: minimum 30 hours

Frequently asked questions

How does the Skyanalog Reference differ from the G-3 MKII?

The REF goes beyond the G-3 MKII in virtually every respect — sapphire cantilever with Micro-Ridge stylus rather than elliptical, 6N OCC copper coil winding, a completely redesigned two-part housing, higher dynamic compliance, and a lower internal impedance of 50 ohms. The G-3 MKII is the top of the G-series; the REF is a category of its own.

What phono stage does the Skyanalog Reference require?

The 50-ohm internal impedance and recommended load of 100 to 330 ohms call for a capable MC phono stage with at least 60 dB of gain. Fixed 100-ohm inputs are compatible; experimenting within the recommended range often yields the best results. Contact Novus Audio for tailored advice on compatible pairings.

Is the Skyanalog Reference straightforward to install?

Yes — the symmetrical housing with threaded fixing points and generous clearance above the record surface make alignment considerably easier than many reference-grade cartridges. A run-in period of at least 30 hours is recommended before critical listening begins.