Results of 'Analog Grand Prix 2026' Announced: Selecting the Year's Best Analog Audio Items

Ongen Publishing Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Yusuke Kazama) announced the results of 'Analog Grand Prix 2026,' an award selecting the year's best analog-related items, on Friday, April 3, 2026.

## About 'Analog Grand Prix'
'Analog Grand Prix' is an award established in 2008 by Ongen Publishing. It selects 'equipment indispensable for analog playback that conveys an analog feel and is suitable for recommendation to our readers' from a wide variety of devices supporting analog playback. The review committee is held annually during the spring season.

The target product categories include analog-related equipment such as cartridges, phono equalizers, and record players, as well as vacuum tube amplifiers. Selection is based on votes from 23 audio specialty shops across Japan and a review committee consisting of four audio critics.

A video introducing the review process held on March 4, 2026, and general comments from the four judges is also available.

**'Analog Grand Prix 2026' Review Committee Video**: https://youtu.be/3naLQ9I93mA

**Participating Specialty Shops (Alphabetical order)**:
CAVIN Osakaya (Hokkaido) / Sendai Nodaya (Miyagi) / Nodaya Sendai Store (Miyagi) / MUSiCA (Fukushima) / Sound Heights (Chiba) / Audio Union Ochanomizu Accessory Hall (Tokyo) / Teleon (Tokyo) / Home Shokai (Tokyo) / Sound Create (Tokyo) / Kusakabe Denki (Tokyo) / Audio Square (Kanagawa) / Denkido Square Shonan (Kanagawa) / Challenger Onkyo (Gunma) / Audio Core (Nagano) / Royal Audio (Nagano) / Clear Sound Imai (Toyama) / Nomura Musen (Aichi) / Joshin WEB (Osaka) / Shimamusen (Osaka) / Edion Hiroshima Main Store (Hiroshima) / Art Crew (Fukuoka) / Max Audio (Fukuoka) / Yoshidayer (Fukuoka)

**Audio Critic Judges**:
Mr. Ikuo Tsunoda (Chairman), Mr. Shun Ishihara, Mr. Chitake Inoue, Mr. Yoshio Obara

## 'Analog Grand Prix 2026' Award Details

● **Analog Grand Prix Gold Award**
The Gold Award, positioned at the pinnacle of the Analog Grand Prix, is bestowed upon top-class models boasting exceptional technical elements and an overwhelming presence.

**- Analog Player: DENON 'DP-500BT'**
An entry-class player from a long-established brand. It features an S-shaped tonearm developed based on the unique 'tracking error curve' philosophy to suppress errors in inner-groove distortion. It includes an MM cartridge and a built-in phono equalizer. The multi-functional product planning, including auto lift-up & stop and Bluetooth support at an affordable price, was highly evaluated.

**- Analog Player: THORENS 'TD124DD'**
A legendary model 'TD124,' representing the prestigious brand that made a miraculous comeback, has been revived with the latest technology. While faithfully reproducing details, it incorporates modern technology in the motor and platter, adopting a high-precision direct drive system. Newly developed dynamic balance tonearm and external linear power supply were also featured. The fusion of tradition and latest technology gathered high praise.

**- VM Cartridge: Audio-Technica 'AT-VM760XSL'**
The 'AT-VMx series' underwent its first model change in nine years. Besides the extensive lineup, the high perfection of this top model was praised. It uses PCUHD (High-purity Oxygen-free Copper) for the coil conductor and features interchangeable styli within the series. This model employs a special line contact stylus and a boron cantilever.

**- MC Cartridge: Audio-Technica 'AT33xMLB'**
The 'AT33x series,' featuring a hybrid body of three materials, is a Japan-made MC cartridge finished by hand. This top model is equipped with a solid micro-linear stylus and a tapered solid boron cantilever. Its perfection as Audio-Technica's top-tier MC cartridge garnered high evaluation.

**- MC Cartridge: ortofon 'MC X40'**
The best-selling 'MC series' has been revamped. This top model '40' was added to the conventional '10,' '20,' and '30' lineup. It features high-purity silver wire coils and a honeycomb stainless steel frame common to the series. This model uses a solid Shibata stylus and a boron cantilever. Its high completeness as a flagship machine was highly rated.

**- MC Cartridge: ACOUSTIC REVIVE 'MC-1'**
The first MC cartridge from the popular accessory brand. It uses PC-Triple C/EX, a hybrid forged conductor of silver and copper with high conductivity, for the coil winding. The body is precisely shaped using a 3D printer with a special resin material impregnated with natural minerals. The generator mechanism is the newly developed VX system. The originality of the technology and materials was highly praised.

**- Tonearm: SAEC 'WE-709'**
A tonearm employing a newly developed double knife-edge mechanism. By increasing the knife diameter and improving the blade-receiving structure, it achieves even higher sensitivity and rigidity. A new inside-force canceller mechanism was adopted for vibration suppression. Internal wiring is PC-Triple C. It was evaluated as a tonearm challenging the new generation of analog playback.

**- Phono Equalizer Amplifier: ACCUPHASE 'C-57'**
A successor to the popular C-47, this model is a full redesign using the latest circuits and high-quality sound elements. The external change includes larger input impedance switches and a symmetrical panel design. A new 60Ω option was added to the input impedance. Its high stability as a reference machine is a key evaluation point.

**- Phono Equalizer Amplifier: Phasemation 'EA-1500'**
This model consolidates the technology of the two flagship models—the 6-chassis EA-2000 phono equalizer and the T-2000 MC step-up transformer—into two chassis: a tube-based power supply unit and an amplifier unit. While inheriting technology from higher-end models, it also introduces a new feature supporting photoelectric cartridges...