Wilson Benesch TESSELLATE® Ti Cartridges

    Wilson Benesch has a rich history of crafting high performance cartridges dating back to the 1990’s, having developed a range of cartridges that included the Matrix, the Ply, the Carbon and the Analogue. In recent years as the company embarked on the ambitious project of developing the GMT ONE system, it also focussed in creating a range of cartridges that re-write the rule book on cartridge design. With an acknowledgement to the past, the new TESSELLATE Ti cartridges shift focus to the present and future, leveraging state-of-the-art materials and manufacturing technologies, including titanium alloy and unprecedented manufacturing techniques.

    Materials Science Taken to an Extreme

    When selecting a material for an analogue cartridge body, the optimal material characteristic is a balance between low mass and high stiffness, which is why WB selected titanium as the medium. Importantly, a high level of stiffness must be complemented by high levels of damping, which prevents the high Q resonances that could otherwise undermine the benefits of such rigidity.

    TESSELLATE Ti Cartridge Polished Gold Finish

    Advanced Geometric Optimisation

    The TESSELLATE Ti Cartridges represent the pinnacle of geometric optimisation in cartridge structures. Developed in collaboration with Renishaw PLC and the University of Sheffield, the TESSELLATE Ti Cartridge body and headshell is manufactured using State-of-the-Art 3D additive manufacturing technology. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) additive manufacturing technology uses multiple high-power lasers to weld together particles of titanium layer-by-layer to construct a single-piece cartridge body. There is zero redundancy of materials, resulting in a structure entirely devoid of unnecessary mass. The Wilson Benesch design team, in collaboration with Renishaw PLC, also optimised the structure to create a tessellated internal configuration that provides anisotropic material properties similar to those found in a crystal structure. This unique structure delivers levels of internal damping that have previously unattainable.

    Semi-Open Architecture

    The semi-open architecture of the TESSELLATE Ti cartridge headshell design is informed by the research completed in the development of the Ply, Carbon and Analogue cartridges. During this development, Wilson Benesch found that by changing the headshell geometry surrounding the cantilever, from a flat surface in the Analogue cartridge to a curved headshell surface in the Carbon cartridge, Wilson Benesch were able to achieve significant sonic benefits. The curved geometry increased stiffness and eliminated reflective surfaces, thus avoiding high Q resonances. The TESSELLATE Ti Cartridge adopts this semi-open structure, achieving maximum stiffness, minimum mass, maximum damping, and reducing reflective surfaces to a minimum. The design is highly evolved and optimised.

    TESSELLATE Ti Cartridge Polished Silver Finish

    Hybrid Cantilever Design

    To fully exploit the unique properties of carbon fibre, it is crucial for designers to understand how to work with the material. For the first time ever, a uni-directional (UD) carbon fibre sleeve has been employed in the TESSELLATE Ti Cartridge cantilever. This innovative technology marries the benefits of advanced cantilever systems with the damping advantages of UD carbon fibre, resulting in improved tracking ability through reduced resonance in the cantilever.

    The UD carbon fibre adds virtually no additional mass, yet when placed in an offset asymmetrical position in the middle of the cantilever, it provides significant additional stiffness and damping. With this hybrid cantilever technology and a choice of Boron, Sapphire, and Diamond cantilevers, the TESSELLATE Ti Cartridges offer a versatile range that caters to different preferences and system requirements. Whether you prioritise accuracy, transparency, or sonic refinement, there is a cartridge with a hybrid cantilever to meet your needs.

    The Fin

    When Wilson Benesch were conducting research, it became apparent that various forms of resonance had to be mitigated as close to the cartridge as possible so they do not become a problem that is amplified downstream and needs to be solved by the tonearm. This concept drove the development of the tessellated geometric pattern in the cartridge body and it was determined through research that the ability of the system to mitigate resonances was enhanced when another piece of low weight, high stiffness high damping material was place directly on the opposite side of the cartridge. Wilson Benesch developed the Fin, a tessellated device that goes hand in hand with the cartridge and makes a significant contribution to the sound quality. Although it is ordered as a separate component, the Fin is considered to be a part of the Tessellate Ti cartridge system and gives you another step towards ultimate fidelity.

    TESSELLATE Ti Cartridge Fin

    Finish Options

    The TESSELLATE Ti Cartridges are available in three finish options:

    • The Matt Titanium finish is exactly as the titanium body has been ‘grown’ in the SLS machine and its surface is textured.
    • The Polished Silver finish is exactly as the name describes and the cartridge body has been polished by hand to create a mirrored finish.
    • The Polished Gold is the most premium finish available. The gold colouring is applied using vapour deposition technology after the cartridge body has been polished by hand.

    How do they sound?

    As we know, sonic impressions are subjective however we can provide some commentary to assist you with your selection. Our impressions are that the sonic characteristics of the Tessellate Ti Cartridges seem to align with the perceived sonic attributes of the cantilever material. Our impressions are as follows:

    Ti-B (Boron cantilever)

    • Fast transient response.
    • Good micro-detail retrieval.
    • Balanced tonality with slightly warm to neutral character.
    • Controlled bass with good texture.
    • Smooth treble with less glare.

    Ti-S (Saphire cantilever)

    • Smooth, extended treble with an airy presentation.
    • More relaxed, fluid sound compared to boron’s speed.
    • Does sound slightly less immediate in transients than the boron or the diamond.
    • Excellent for vocals and strings, giving a beautifully liquid midrange.
    • Does not have quite the same micro-detail extraction as boron or diamond.

    Ti-D (Diamond cantilever)

    • Ultra-fast transients with life-like immediacy.
    • Maximum micro-detail and low-level retrieval. One of the most detailed cartridges we’ve ever heard.
    • Very neutral – more neutral than other diamond cantilevered cartridges we’ve heard because of the carbon sleeve on the cantilever.
    • Bass is tight, impactful, and precisely articulated.
    • Treble is extended and notably clean without glare thanks to the carbon sleeve and the tessellated body.

    Please contact Dohmann Audio or any of our global partners to discuss cartridge options and recommendations.