Custom-Made Ebony Wood Body for ELAC STS 222, 240, 322, 333 Series Cartridge

Custom-Made Ebony Wood Body for ELAC STS 222, 240, 322, 333 Series Cartridge

A wood body made of ebony for an ELAC STS Series cartridge adds notable refinement and control to its sonic performance. Ebony is one of the densest tonewoods used in audio, known for its tight grain, excellent rigidity, and natural damping, which greatly influences the cartridge's mechanical resonance behavior.

🎵 How Ebony Wood Affects ELAC STS Sound:

🪵 Why Ebony Works:

• Very high density (~1.2 g/cm³): Minimizes unwanted vibrations

• Low internal resonance: Improves clarity and tonal precision

• Tight grain structure: Enhances mechanical coupling with headshell

• Natural damping: Reduces smear and preserves timing

🎧 Listening Impressions on ELAC STS:

• Clarity improves, especially in complex passages

• Highs are less splashy, with a more velvety presentation

• Instruments sound more lifelike, with cleaner attack and decay

• Works well with both vocal and instrumental recordings, particularly jazz, classical, and precise electronic music

• Brings a more modern and composed character to the sometimes vintage voicing of the STS series

✅ Best For:

• Listeners who want more control and refinement without excessive warmth

• Systems where the ELAC STS sounds too loose or bright

• Tonearms that benefit from better mechanical energy transfer

⚠️ Consider:

• Ebony adds significant weight; ensure tonearm compatibility

• Can sound a bit analytical in overly sterile systems — best matched with warmer amplification or speakers

🔚 Summary:

An ebony wood body for ELAC STS cartridges tightens, refines, and upgrades the sonic presentation — making it more precise, elegant, and dynamic. It's an excellent choice for extracting the best performance from these vintage MM cartridges without coloring their core sound.