Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC Cartridge

Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC  £1,999

Zephyr MIMC was our entry-level to the high-performance world of Soundsmith’s MC-pre-compatible, low-output cartridges. It brought a very nice portion of the performance available in our higher-end MC-compatible cartridges (Paua, Sussurro, Hyperion) to the more affordable sub-$2k category.

Recently, Peter Ledermann decided to see if he could stretch the limits of the MIMC’s performance even higher without stretching past the $2k price point … little did any of us know how far he would be able to take it! The updated Zephyr MIMC ☆ smashes through sonic barriers with its new laser-drilled Sapphire cantilever and select nude Contact-Line diamond stylus!

This is probably the most important Soundsmith model to have in your arsenal. It brings an astounding portion of the performance available only in our top-level low output cartridges.

Why a fixed coil cartridge?

Long term investment due to rebuild

Specifications

Soundsmith The Voice Cartridge

Soundsmith The Voice  £2,999

Kudos, accolades and many “Product of the Year” awards. The pinnacle of High Output designs – from Soundsmith – of course.

Since its introduction in 2009, The Voice has won numerous “product-of-the-year” awards and is – in Peter Ledermann’s words –”probably the best High Output cartridge in production today.” Our design goal was to produce the lowest moving mass high output design possible using novel and advanced technology. Featuring a single crystal Ruby Cantilever and our Optimized Contour Line Contact Stylus, we developed a specialized metallurgy for the low mass moving iron system.

A cartridge that disappears. After all, if it sounds like a “record” it’s wrong. The cartridge should bring your directly to the performance; not stand between you and the music.

Also available in dual-coil mono.

Each one hand crafted by Peter Ledermann – Made in the USA.

Rebuild Price? Less than 20% of MSRP ! The Voice features a 2 year warranty to the original owner.

Why a fixed coil cartridge?

Long term investment due to rebuild

Reviews

“Since repair of my cartridge [Clearaudio Concerto] wasn’t possible, my search led to Soundsmith’s The Voice.  It’s probably my last cartridge.  Dynamics, imaging and scale are all important, but transparency is my personal holy grail and that is one of many places where The Voice shines.  It’s a wonderful  cartridge.

The Voice also has a v-shaped extension over the cantilever and stylus that makes it tough to damage.  Having knocked off the cantilever of my previous cartridge twice because it protruded well beyond the front, that’s a big deal for me.

Almost as important is the man behind Soundsmith, Peter Ledermann.  Considering the breadth and artistry embodied in the design of his cartridges, he’s remarkably responsive and accessible.  I have talked with Peter on several occasions and he is not only there to help and advise but he is truly a gentleman.  One of the perks of our audiophile obsession is the opportunity to talk personally with some of its best designers.”
Chris Bennion

“The Voice will wring every last drop of performance from it at a price that, in a world where most competitors go for two, three and four grand (up to ten large), is extremely reasonable and probably a great bargain. It is easily a reference quality cartridge with the added edge of being supremely musical, which is why Peter is going to have to pry this thing from my cold, bloody hand to get it back!”
James Darby, StereoMojo

Specifications

Soundsmith Paua Cartridge

Soundsmith Paua  £3,999

The NEW Paua MKII: adorned with sea shell to remind us of the beauty of the sounds of the world all around us. Nature healing nature.

The Paua is one of Soundsmith’s most highly regarded top of the line low output cartridges. It has won numerous accolades and praise from users and reviewers around the word, including an “Editor’s Choice Award” in 2015 from TAS. Now we introduce the new Paua MKII, employing a newly developed Aluminum alloy used to fashion the MKII’s cantilever into a precision acoustic and mechanical lever. It features stiffness in the ranges required, while providing critical damping in other sections of the acoustic spectrum. The result is an even better Paua, a cartridge that gets raves from its owners, and can be fully rebuilt many times for a fraction of its original cost – as with all Soundsmith cartridges – 20% or less.

Featuring ultra-low internal moving mass, a specialized telescoping newly developed alloy cantilever and highly polished low mass nude Contact Line stylus, the Paua MKII will add a unique quality of warmth and smoothness to any analog system without leaving behind all the delicate musical details you want and need to hear. The Paua MKII reaches new heights of stylus control and performance, as is confirmed by its incredibly high channel separation figures.

We have accomplished a work of art with the Paua MKII design, resulting in an unparalleled and sublime performance.

Also available in dual-coil mono, as with all Soundsmith Fixed Coil designs.

Each one hand crafted by Peter Ledermann – Made in  the USA. Rebuild Price? Less than 20% of MSRP ! ~  The Paua mk II features a 2 year warranty to the original owner.

Why a fixed coil cartridge?

Long term investment due to rebuild

Reviews

“I love SoundSmith products. I paired up my Paua with your MCP2 preamp. Every time I listen to the combo I can’t believe how great they sound – it never gets old. I also like the great dedication to quality and service shown by everyone at SoundSmith. You don’t simply focus on getting new sales. You all go the extra mile to take care of your existing customers. That is a rare quality these days.” – Thanks, Joe

“When the needle dropped on the lead groove, it started showing off immediately. The Paua II was giving me more image solidity than I’d heard before. Images were more three dimensional and alive, more palpable.” – Audiophilia

“I never expected when I mounted the new Paua Mk2 cartridge that it would sound as good as my 20K reference Koetsu Blue Lace…I am loading the Paua at 1 K ohm through my Dan D’Agostino Phono Stage and it sounds like a world class cartridge…with break in over the past few weeks I am starting to realize that I may have to fess up and admit that the Paua is becoming my new reference…and a little off topic but important is that Mr. Ledermann’s EZ mount screw set and azimuth adjustable headshell are amazing products themselves in their own right…” – Theodore Neff, NH

“I’m the guy with the haunted ZYX R100. I just got my new Paua II yesterday, and I want to thank you. You took care of me better than I deserved. This is the best cartridge I’ve ever owned, or even heard…anywhere. Zero sibilance, and absolutely effortless sound (just for starters). You already know this, I’m sure : >. I’m getting more out of my old VPI HW19 Jr. than I thought it had to give. I can tell this is heirloom quality, and I’m totally sold on the fixed coil idea. This is the sort of quality I hope for when buying American. I’ve already told anyone who will listen that they’d be a fool not to consider one of your cartridges. I’m sure I’ll be contacting you about a rebuild someday. I intend to wear this thing out!
Sincerely
Bruce Kasprzyk”

Specifications

Soundsmith Sussurro Cartridge

Soundsmith Sussurro  £4,999

The Sussurro ~ critical design decisions, realized. Lowest internal mass. Best damping. Esoteric stylus and cantilever. If you need to stay in constant contact, your cartridge has arrived.

Inspired by Frank Schröder, designed and individually hand made by Peter Ledermann, Soundsmith’s Sussurro is a cartridge designed to specifically address the most intricate and critical issues of cartridge design. The new MKII Sussurro has a newly designed moving iron element to reduce moving mass by 70%; extremely low stored energy, the new MKII damping system and an innovative energy distribution path to effectively transfer mechanical energy away from the cantilever through the cartridge body into the tone arm. So what does all this mean??

Low jitter. Jitter? You probably thought that was a term reserved for digital systems. Not so. Stylus jitter is responsible for loss of detail, and making a cartridge sound, well, like a cartridge. The Sussurro stays in constant contact with the record groove. If you are not in constant contact, you can’t hear what has truly been recorded.

Also available in dual-coil mono.

Made in  the USA. Rebuild Price?  Less than 20% of MSRP ! ~  The Sussurro mk II features a 2 year warranty to the original owner.

Why a fixed coil cartridge?

Long term investment due to rebuild

Specifications

Lyra Delos Cartridge

Lyra Delos  £1,395

“An analog LP played back with an MC cartridge can sound exceptionally good. Normally, the more cost put into the cartridge, the better the sound. However, sometimes what is required is not more cost but more clever engineering, as with the Lyra Delos Cartridge.

A major problem with most cartridges is that the signal coils are located so that applying normal tracking force restricts performance. The reason is that the cartridge’s signal coils should have the same angle as the magnetic circuit when the tracking force for playback is applied, but are nearly always designed so that applying normal tracking force pushes the signal coils out of alignment with the magnetic circuit. This impairs the sensitivity and linearity of the coils, and reduces the quality of sound.

The Delos solves this problem with a new body structure and pre-angled damping system. The pre-angled dampers work together with the angle of the body structure so that, when tracking force is applied, the signal coils are optimally aligned with the magnet circuit. The Delos also has a microridge stylus for outstanding tracking, a non-parallel solid metal body for low resonances, and nude construction for greater clarity. The result is clearly improved sound quality, particularly resolution, dynamic range, transient impact and immediacy.” – Lyra

Technical Specifications