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Soundsmith Cartridge Range

We are not permitted to offer this brand of cartridge outside the UK.

The Soundsmith Range

Although most entry-level cartridges from all manufacturers are machine made, Soundsmiths are hand made. Even so, the reality is that when you are manufacturing something so tiny, that has to perform so well, all of them are not the same. If you don’t see this statement from other manufacturers, then this is a “secret” they don’t want to share, and quite understandably so.

Soundsmith Cartridges are each carefully hand built before we test and keep accurate records by serial number of their performance. Those that meet or exceed specifications are sold. But, there are always a few that don’t measure well. These are broken down and some parts are used again. This does cost money, But the ones that pass the stringent testing out-perform many cartridges selling for two, three, four, or even five times the price.

Soundsmith Logo










Soundsmith Cartridge Range Comparison

Cartridge Hyperion Carmen MK2 Sussurro Paua The Voice Aida Zephyr MIMC Zephyr MK3 Otello
Cartridge Type Fixed Coil Fixed Coil Fixed Coil Fixed Coil Fixed Coil Fixed Coil  Fixed Coil Fixed Coil Fixed Coil
Stylus Type Contact Line O.C. Contact Line Elliptical O.C. Contact Line Contact Line Contact Line Contact Line  Contact Line Contact Line Elliptical
Output Low High Low Low High High  Low  High High
Stylus Contact Line Nude, 0.100mm SQ Nude Elliptical, 0.120mm SQ Contact Line Nude, 0.100mm SQ Contact Line Nude, 0.100mm SQ Contact Line Nude, 0.100mm SQ selected for low noise Contact Line Nude, 0.100mm SQ Contact Line  Ultra Low Mass Nude Elliptical Titanium Bonded, 0.20mm Round
Radius of curvature 6 x 17 μm OCL (Optimized Contour Contact Line) Selected Nude Contact Line Selected OCL (Optimized Contour Contact Line) OCL (Optimized Contour Contact Line)  6 x 17 μm  –
Selected Diamond shapes CL or Optimized (OCL)  –  –
Cantilever
Cactus “Spine” Aluminum Alloy Ruby Telescoping Aluminum Alloy Ruby Ruby Laser Drilled Sapphire  New Soundsmith Aluminum Alloy Aluminum Alloy
Recommended tracking force 1.8 to 2.2 grams 1.3 to 1.6 grams 1.8 to 2.2 grams 1.7 to 1.9 grams 1.3 – 1.6 grams 1.3 – 1.6 grams  1.8 to 2.2 grams  1.8 to 2.2 grams 1.3 – 1.6 grams
Effective tip mass 0.30 mg 0.35 mg 0.30 mg 0.30 mg 0.30 mg 0.30 mg  0.32 mg  0.28 mg 0.50 mg
Compliance
10 μm/mN (low compliance) (LT) | 12 μm/mN vertical | 7 μm/mN horizontal 28 μm/mN (high), 22 μm/mN (medium) 10μm/mN (low compliance) 10 μm/mN (low compliance) 28 μm/mN (high), 22 μm/mN (medium) 28 μm/mN (high), 22 μm/mN (medium)  10 μm/mN (low compliance)  10μm/mN (low compliance) 28 μm/mN (high), 22 μm/mN (medium)
Frequency response 20-20,000 Hz ± 1.0 dB 20-20,000 Hz ± 2.5 dB 20-20,000 Hz ± 1.0 dB 20-20,000 Hz ± 1.0 dB 20-20,000 Hz ±1.0 dB 20-20,000 Hz ±1.0 dB  15-45,000 Hz ± 2.0 dB  15-45,000 Hz ± 2.0 dB 20-20,000 Hz ± 2.5 dB
Channel separation 1000 Hz >36 dB (LT: > 34dB), 50-15,000 >25 dB (stereo) 1000 Hz >26 dB, 50-15,000 >20 dB 1000 Hz >34 dB, 50-15,000 >25 dB 1000 Hz >34 dB 50-15,000 >25 dB 1000 Hz >30 dB, 50-15,000 >25 dB 1000 Hz >30 dB, 50-15,000 >25 dB  1000 Hz >28 dB, 50-15,000 >25 dB  1000 Hz >28 dB, 50-15,000 >25 dB 1000 Hz >24 dB, 50-15,000 >20 dB
Channel difference <0.5 dB (Stereo) <1.0 dB (Mono) <1.6 dB (Stereo), <1.0 dB (Mono) <0.5 dB (Stereo) <1.0 dB (Mono) <0.5 dB (Stereo), <1.0 dB (Mono) <0.5 dB (Stereo), <1.0 dB (Mono) <0.5 dB (Stereo), <1.0 dB (Mono)  <1.0 dB (Stereo), <0.5 dB (Dual Mono)  <1.0 dB (Stereo), <0.5 dB <1.8 dB (Stereo), <1.0 dB (Mono)
Output Voltage ≥0.4 mV 2.12 mV ≥0.4 mV ≥0.4 mV 2.12 mV 2.12 mV   ≥0.4 mV  2.4 mV >2.12 mV
DC Resistance 10-11 Ω each channel 10-11 Ω each channel 10-11 Ω each channel  10-11 Ω each channel  –
Coil 2.75 mH each channel 2.75 mH each channel 2.75 mH each channel  2.75 mH each channel  –
Suggested Preamp Gain 58-64 dB 58-64 dB 58-64 dB  58-64 dB  –
Cartridge weight 10.25 grams 6.8 grams 10.25 grams 10.25 grams 6.8 grams 6.8 grams  10.25 grams  10.27 grams 6.8 grams
Stylus to Mounting Hole Offset ≈ 10mm (0.4″) ≈ 10mm (0.4″ ≈ 10mm (0.4″) ≈ 10mm (0.4″) ≈ 10mm (0.4″) ≈ 10mm (0.4″)  ≈ 10mm (0.4″)  ≈ 10mm (0.4″) ≈ 10mm (0.4″)
Loading ≥ 470 Ω ≥ 47 kΩ ≥ 470 Ω ≥ 470 Ω ≥ 47 kΩ ≥ 47 kΩ  ≥ 470 Ω  ≥ 47 kΩ ≥ 47 kΩ