The body is precision-machined from aluminum alloy, then carefully buff-polished and finished with metallic anodizing.
It features a micro-ridge stylus tip and a boron cantilever.
For the first time in an IKEDA cartridge, the base incorporates a specially engineered damping alloy with superior vibration absorption properties.
This results in enhanced sonic clarity and definition, delivering a sound that is remarkably free from any muddiness.

The Amane delivers not only an abundance of detail and remarkable precision—as one would expect—
but more notably, it excels in its solid sonic structure, its soft, flesh-like textures,
and an uncanny immediacy that locks focus with pinpoint accuracy.

Baroque recordings immediately draw you in with their dense, immersive texture.
In a piece combining string ensemble and flute, the strings exhibit a supple, resilient tonality from top to bottom.
The bass plunges deep, with double bass tones that resonate freely and cleanly—completely free of unwanted overtones—
delivering an effortlessly grounded presence.
And then the solo flute stands firm at center stage.
Its tone and breathwork are captured in exquisite detail,
but it’s the sheer sense of presence that’s truly intoxicating.

There’s also a palpable warmth—every element is precisely drawn without excess,
yet the overall sound carries a gentle heat, making it wonderfully tactile to the ear.

With piano, one is immediately struck by the bold opening chords—
yet what’s surprising is their sheer vibrancy.
The sound is powerful, but never dry or brittle; it’s infused with moisture and warmth.
The tone is full-bodied, richly colored, and wonderfully alive.
While the Amane delivers outstanding clarity,
it avoids the overly sharp, brittle brightness that can plague lesser cartridges.
Instead, its brilliance feels like soft, natural sunlight—glowing, not glaring.
That’s the kind of freshness the Amane brings.

Even the quietest passages benefit from this refined sensitivity.
Delicate, micro-level nuances are fully retrieved from the grooves,
each rendered with vivid color and emotional weight.
One is left wondering just how much musical information this cartridge is able to extract—
it’s that expressive and convincing.

Orchestral recordings are presented with extraordinary resolution.
Even recordings that tend to sound congested are opened up with astonishing clarity.
Complex passages are broken apart with finesse, revealing a vibrant, living soundscape.
The dynamic range is nothing short of impressive,
and the tactile weight of the low strings is deeply satisfying.
Instrument placement within the soundstage is precise and unclouded,
enhancing the vivid sense of presence.

Choral recordings, too, are handled with a level of sophistication that borders on the emotional.
It’s honestly astonishing how far this cartridge goes in drawing out every last detail.
That’s my genuine impression—one of deep admiration and appreciation.

Specifications

Model Name: IKEDA Amane
Generator Type: Moving Coil (MC)
Output Voltage: 0.3 mV
Recommended Tracking Force: 2.0 ± 0.2 g
Impedance: 2.5 Ω
Weight: Approx. 35 g
Note: Designed exclusively for universal tonearms