Moving Magnet Cartridges

Soundsmith Moving Iron Cartridges

Here is the “micro-manufacturing” reality: All top end cartridges from all manufacturers are hand made. The real issue is that when you are manufacturing something so tiny, that has to perform so well, that 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.

So…..what does Soundsmith do? Soundsmith carefully hand build each and every cartridge, test them, 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 measure much better than the other “great” ones……and we select these to be mounted in Ebony bodies, available to you as “selected” units. Do they cost more??? You bet. Much more?? No. Do they out perform many cartridges selling for two, three, four, or even five times the price? YES. Some ask: “Moving Iron Cartridges better?? I thought that moving COIL types are the best??”

Soundsmith cartridges overturn the myth that moving coil cartridges are the only path towards perfection. After all, what is the accepted “advantage” of moving coil cartridges? Low effective moving mass, right? Well, we’ve got less. Much less. And if you understand EFFECTIVE moving mass, Less IS more. Why is that good? Because when you lower the moving system mass, it’s easier to control. If it’s easier to control, the stylus can stay in better contact with the groove walls. That’s good, because if you can’t stay in contact with the groove walls, you can’t hear what’s on the record.

All Soundsmith Moving Iron cartridges are available in high and medium compliance versions, as well as true DUAL MONO.

The Voice

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARD – 2009 – StereoMojo

“The Voice” cartridge by The Soundsmith makes a clear statement amidst the other voices of high performance phono cartridges.

Our statement?? Ikebana. Less is more.

It overturns the myth that moving coil cartridges are the only path towards perfection. After all, what is the “advantage” of the moving coil type of cartridge? Low effective moving mass, right? We got less. Much less. And if you understand moving mass, Less IS more.

The 40 year evolution of “The Voice” cartridge affords lower effective moving mass than any of them. Far lower. It even has 40% less than our other moving iron designs! Why is that good? Because when you lower the moving mass, it’s easier to control. If it’s easier to control, the stylus can stay in better contact with the groove walls. That’s good, because if you can’t stay in contact with the groove walls, you can’t hear what’s on the record.

Is a moving coil preamp required? No. “The Voice” is designed to be used with a Moving Magnet preamp. No transformers. No finicky multi-stage ultra high gain preamp required. Less is more here, too. Once you’ve heard “The Voice”, you’ll never go back. The price?? Oh yes, “less is more” applies here too. The Voice is available as a production select version, precision installed in a hand crafted Ebony mount for $2199.95.

Aida

“The Aida” cartridge by The Soundsmith is a hand selected version of our famous SMMC1 cartridge. We select it as special from our normal production run, and ship it to you mounted in a hand finished Ebony mount. Hand selected? Aren’t all cartridges (of a given model) coming out of a production facility the same, or rejected if they don’t meet specifications??

Is a high gain moving coil preamp required? No. “Aida” is designed to be used with a Moving Magnet preamp. No “step-up” transformers. No finicky multi-stage ultra high gain preamp required. Less is more here, too. Once you’ve heard your new Aida cartridge, you’ll never go back. The price?? Oh yes, “less is more” applies here too………$999.95

Boheme

The “Boheme” cartridge by The Soundsmith is a hand selected version of our famous SMMC2 cartridge. We select it as special from our normal production run, and ship it to you mounted in a hand finished Ebony mount. Hand selected? Aren’t all cartridges (of a given model) coming out of a production facility the same, or rejected if they don’t meet specifications?

Is a high gain moving coil preamp required? No. “Aida” is designed to be used with a Moving Magnet preamp. No “step-up” transformers. No finicky multi-stage ultra high gain preamp required. Less is more here, too. Once you’ve heard your new Boheme cartridge, you’ll never go back. The price?? Oh yes, “less is more” applies here too………$749.95

The Boheme is available in high and medium compliance versions, and true DUAL MONO as well.

Carmen

The “Carmen” cartridge by The Soundsmith is a hand selected version of our famous SMMC3 cartridge. We select it as special from our normal production run, and ship it to you mounted in a hand finished Ebony mount. Hand selected? Aren’t all cartridges (of a given model) coming out of a production facility the same, or rejected if they don’t meet specifications??

The Carmen is available in high and medium compliance versions, and true DUAL MONO. $499.95

Otello

The “Otello” cartridge by The Soundsmith is a hand selected version of Soundsmith famous entry level SMMC4 cartridge. We select it as special from our normal production run, and ship it to you mounted in a hand finished Ebony mount. Hand selected? Aren’t all cartridges (of a given model) coming out of a production facility the same, or rejected if they don’t meet specifications??

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