Wilson Benesch TESSELLATE® Ti Cartridges

    Wilson Benesch has a rich history of crafting high performance cartridges dating back to the 1990s, developed an acclaimed 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 world most technologically advanced analog playback system which included the GRAVITON Ti tonearm, 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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

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