Soundsmith The Voice ES Series Hand-Made High-Output Cartridge

Soundsmith ES Series

PREOWNED - FULLY TESTED - COMPLETE

SOUNDSMITH Sets a New Sonic Bar with the ES Series —

“Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover.” – Peter Ledermann.

The ES line features not only a dramatic new look, but is a significant evolution of the DEMS system design (Dynamic Energy Management System). All model names have been preserved, and pricing remains the same.

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.

Every cartridge in the line now features the sleek new ES body design and allows azimuth adjustment when used in tonearms that do not permit it. The new ES body also allows an electrical isolation method for tables that hum due to ground loops.

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 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 Voice ES Series

Each one hand crafted by Peter Ledermann - Made in the USA. Rebuild Price? $450 - Less than 20% of MSRP ! ~  The Voice features a 2 year warranty to the original owner.

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.

Cartridge Type

Fixed Coil

Stylus Type

Contact Line

Output

High

Available As Dual Coil Mono

Yes

Additional Specifications

Stylus: Contact Line Nude, 0.100mm SQ selected for low noise
Radius of curvature: OCL (Optimized Contour Contact Line)
Cantilever: Ruby
Recommended tracking force: 1.3 - 1.6 g (standard medium Compliance); 1.0 - 1.2 grams for special order High Compliance
Effective tip mass: 0.30 mg
Compliance: 28 μm/mN (high), 22 μm/mN (medium)
Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz ±1.0 dB
Channel separation (stereo only): 1000 Hz >30 dB, 50-15,000 >25 dB
Channel difference: <0.5 dB (Mono), <1.0 dB (Stereo)
Output voltage (The Voice): 2.12 mV
Cartridge weight: 9.2 grams
Loading (The Voice): ≥ 47 kΩ

DC Resistance: 680Ω

Coil Inductance: 190mH per channel