A born in the USA American Classic!
Be prepared to sit back and realize...you may have never really heard your record collection before!
Unparalleled 2 Year Warranty! Retip is less than 20% of MSRP at $299!
The Soundsmith ES Series Featuring Upgraded Performance, Design and the Dynamic Energy Management System (DEMS)!
What is the Dynamic Energy Management System (DEMS)?
The ES line features not only a dramatic new look, but is a significant evolution of the Dynamic Energy Management System (DEMS) design. The new Soundsmith ES cartridge designs are a significant advancement in cartridge performance due to their ability to direct internal vibrational forces without reflection and disperse them properly to the tone arm. The absence of reflections enables the stylus to stay in far greater statistical contact with the groove walls a critically important technical refinement. Increased liquidity and reduced "grain," without loss of detail are some of the immediately discernible advantages of Soundsmith's new ES models. The new line also features Azimuth adjustment built-in to each cartridge, as well as the option for electrical isolation for hum-prone systems.
Every cartridge in Soundsmith's lineup will now feature their sleek new ES body design. The upgrade is far more than cosmetic; the new shape is a departure from the reflective and "boxy" design of many cartridges whose internal construction contribute to uncontrolled vibrational issues adversely effecting performance. Peter Ledermann, president of Soundsmith, says, "Think of how singing in an open field compares with singing in a shower." Soundsmith has always challenged conventions, looking deeper into nuances of cartridge design that dramatically affect immediate and long term performance. These have included extreme reductions of moving mass and the use of novel materials and designs. The new ES lineup is a continuation of that research and development.
The Zephyr MK III has achieved what no other cartridge has done since its inception; rapid recognition as a leading force in phono cartridge design and performance.
The Soundsmith Zephyr MkIII enjoys a great history, starting with the well loved VPI Zephyr original, which evolved into the well known Zephyr MKII. In Soundsmith's effort to bring you even higher definition without increase in cost, the Zephyr MKIII was introduced. It features a newly developed aluminum alloy - the same one they are now using in the Paua MKII! This new metal alloy has unique dualistic properties, providing stiffness in the ranges required as well as damping exactly where its needed - and by the proper amount - in the most critical parts of the sonic spectrum. The result is a cartridge that will slam your Rock and Roll while providing a new level of linearity and clarity for the most complex classical and jazz passages.
Attached to Soundsmith's new cantilever material is a tiny new super low mass "High Profile" Contact Line diamond that has been developed for the new Zephyr MKIII. This stylus traces more of the groove walls than a standard contact line, but avoids some of the alignment pitfalls that can occur with a high profile contact line design, allowing more azimuth alignment forgiveness than is normally possible with such designs.
These improvements are paired with technology borrowed from Soundsmith's higher end line; "Trickle Down" technology from a unique Dynamic Energy Management System (DEMS) developed by Soundsmith that moves the damped energy and propagates it properly within the cartridge body. This is a similar system we employ in the Soundsmith's well received and reviewed high end Sussurro Cartridge.
The Zephyr MKIII is capable of truly remarkable separation and sound stage imaging at a level not previously achievable in a modestly priced design. The newly designed body and unique DEMS design work in tandem to contribute to the Zephyr MkIII's ability to produce high-end performance from a moderately priced cartridge. Be prepared to sit back and realize... you may have never really heard your record collection before.
The Zephyr MkIII will provide a level of clarity and beauty that will make you take out your record collection and listen to it all over again.
An Unparalleled Warranty:
The Zephyr Mk III Cartridge is covered for a full two years. Retip is 20% of the retail ($299). An absolutely unheard of warranty for cartridges. Made in the USA, the Soundsmith cartridges are the best long term values around!
In reviewing the original Zephyr cartridge:
"I love the fact that I can get this level of performance from a phonograph cartridge without needing a step-up transformer to accomplish it. It's a satisfying and liberating feeling! I think the new Zephyr Mk III phonograph cartridge at the heart of your audio system would be a superb choice, and as such I heartily recommend it to you...I predict you will be a very happy music lover with the new Soundsmith Zephyr Mk III phonograph cartridge at the heart of your music system." - Jeff Day, positive-feedback.com
Specifications:
Stylus: Selected Contact Line low mass Nude Stylus
Radius of curvature: 6 x 17 µm
Cantilever: Aluminum Alloy
Recommended Tracking force: 1.8 to 2.2 Grams
Effective tip mass: 0.32 mg
Compliance: 10µm/mN (low compliance)
Frequency response: 15-45,000 Hz ± 2.0 dB
Channel Separation (stereo only): 1000 Hz >28 dB, 50-15,000 >25 dB
Channel difference: <1.0 dB (Stereo), <0.5 dB (Dual Mono operation w/optimal VTF setting)
Output voltage: 2.4 mV
Cartridge weight: 12.2 Grams
Loading: = 47 kOhm
2 Year Warranty
Retip: $299
Be prepared to sit back and realize...you may have never really heard your record collection before!
Unparalleled 2 Year Warranty! Retip is less than 20% of MSRP at $299!
The Soundsmith ES Series Featuring Upgraded Performance, Design and the Dynamic Energy Management System (DEMS)!
What is the Dynamic Energy Management System (DEMS)?
The ES line features not only a dramatic new look, but is a significant evolution of the Dynamic Energy Management System (DEMS) design. The new Soundsmith ES cartridge designs are a significant advancement in cartridge performance due to their ability to direct internal vibrational forces without reflection and disperse them properly to the tone arm. The absence of reflections enables the stylus to stay in far greater statistical contact with the groove walls a critically important technical refinement. Increased liquidity and reduced "grain," without loss of detail are some of the immediately discernible advantages of Soundsmith's new ES models. The new line also features Azimuth adjustment built-in to each cartridge, as well as the option for electrical isolation for hum-prone systems.
Every cartridge in Soundsmith's lineup will now feature their sleek new ES body design. The upgrade is far more than cosmetic; the new shape is a departure from the reflective and "boxy" design of many cartridges whose internal construction contribute to uncontrolled vibrational issues adversely effecting performance. Peter Ledermann, president of Soundsmith, says, "Think of how singing in an open field compares with singing in a shower." Soundsmith has always challenged conventions, looking deeper into nuances of cartridge design that dramatically affect immediate and long term performance. These have included extreme reductions of moving mass and the use of novel materials and designs. The new ES lineup is a continuation of that research and development.
The Zephyr MK III has achieved what no other cartridge has done since its inception; rapid recognition as a leading force in phono cartridge design and performance.
The Soundsmith Zephyr MkIII enjoys a great history, starting with the well loved VPI Zephyr original, which evolved into the well known Zephyr MKII. In Soundsmith's effort to bring you even higher definition without increase in cost, the Zephyr MKIII was introduced. It features a newly developed aluminum alloy - the same one they are now using in the Paua MKII! This new metal alloy has unique dualistic properties, providing stiffness in the ranges required as well as damping exactly where its needed - and by the proper amount - in the most critical parts of the sonic spectrum. The result is a cartridge that will slam your Rock and Roll while providing a new level of linearity and clarity for the most complex classical and jazz passages.
Attached to Soundsmith's new cantilever material is a tiny new super low mass "High Profile" Contact Line diamond that has been developed for the new Zephyr MKIII. This stylus traces more of the groove walls than a standard contact line, but avoids some of the alignment pitfalls that can occur with a high profile contact line design, allowing more azimuth alignment forgiveness than is normally possible with such designs.
These improvements are paired with technology borrowed from Soundsmith's higher end line; "Trickle Down" technology from a unique Dynamic Energy Management System (DEMS) developed by Soundsmith that moves the damped energy and propagates it properly within the cartridge body. This is a similar system we employ in the Soundsmith's well received and reviewed high end Sussurro Cartridge.
The Zephyr MKIII is capable of truly remarkable separation and sound stage imaging at a level not previously achievable in a modestly priced design. The newly designed body and unique DEMS design work in tandem to contribute to the Zephyr MkIII's ability to produce high-end performance from a moderately priced cartridge. Be prepared to sit back and realize... you may have never really heard your record collection before.
The Zephyr MkIII will provide a level of clarity and beauty that will make you take out your record collection and listen to it all over again.
An Unparalleled Warranty:
The Zephyr Mk III Cartridge is covered for a full two years. Retip is 20% of the retail ($299). An absolutely unheard of warranty for cartridges. Made in the USA, the Soundsmith cartridges are the best long term values around!
In reviewing the original Zephyr cartridge:
"I love the fact that I can get this level of performance from a phonograph cartridge without needing a step-up transformer to accomplish it. It's a satisfying and liberating feeling! I think the new Zephyr Mk III phonograph cartridge at the heart of your audio system would be a superb choice, and as such I heartily recommend it to you...I predict you will be a very happy music lover with the new Soundsmith Zephyr Mk III phonograph cartridge at the heart of your music system." - Jeff Day, positive-feedback.com
Specifications:
Stylus: Selected Contact Line low mass Nude Stylus
Radius of curvature: 6 x 17 µm
Cantilever: Aluminum Alloy
Recommended Tracking force: 1.8 to 2.2 Grams
Effective tip mass: 0.32 mg
Compliance: 10µm/mN (low compliance)
Frequency response: 15-45,000 Hz ± 2.0 dB
Channel Separation (stereo only): 1000 Hz >28 dB, 50-15,000 >25 dB
Channel difference: <1.0 dB (Stereo), <0.5 dB (Dual Mono operation w/optimal VTF setting)
Output voltage: 2.4 mV
Cartridge weight: 12.2 Grams
Loading: = 47 kOhm
2 Year Warranty
Retip: $299