Tedeska cartridges are all moving coils. They make mono and stereo cartridges. And this is where ordinary ends. Each Tedeska cartridge is a unique combination of tone wood, cantilever, and tk. When the construction of a cartridge's innards is complete, it is capped by a piece of bone, from either a cow or a camel, and it is polished with a French polish. Some of the cartridge names are odd: Dux, Invention - K, Comes. Others are fairly ordinary: Sinfonia - K, Sellas.
Tedeska cartridges come in two "families", 1/2 inch and dose. They are also broken down into "lines": "Ono "Wins"; Mono "Quempas"; Stereo "Solid Core"; Stereo "Progressive"; Stereo "Microcosmos." All either have bayonet connections or mount in a Tedeska head shell with a bayonet connection. The connector can either be diamond- or square-pattern. They are further classified by tonal color. "To generate this color variety, we are continually experimenting with various techniques and materials. ... The distinctive tonal color of a cartridge is, we would say: a harmony of the choir of all components."
“The headshell with dots on the top is Tedeska Amalfi (€6400),” Lee wrote in an email. “The Amalfi is only available with a half-inch system.”
“The Amalfi combined with the half-inch system is Tedeska Microcosmos-C model (2) (close up photo, €8200). The other model with dots on the top is the Microcosmos-K model (€8200).”
These beautifully crafted, handmade phono carts, including handmade lead wires, are small works of art, though I admit I have yet to hear one. I hope that will change soon.
