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Question on Soundsmith carts

I have been looking at some sound smith carts, and was wondering if the mkii vs original are that different.

I am seeing I can get the zephyr non mkii for about 1k versus the mkii for 2k or an older voice for like 1600.

is it better to go with a higher cart and older generation or newer generation and lower cart.

I see a new zephyr or older voice or older zephyr star mimic.

thanks for the input,  k
kro77
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
You don't have to buy everything latest even if the manufacturer will tell you it's better. In my opinion SoudSmith Zephyr and mkII are OK, but the latest mk III is awful looking new cartridge body design! In terms of design the latest is definitely not better in my opinion. 
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
chaster- may I ask if you have made the comparison on these. 
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
I have a brand new The Voice. The New cartridges look sharper and appear better made, more jewel like but, for most of them the working mechanism is the same. The new cartridges have only one new feature the old ones do not and that is a mounting system that allows you to adjust azimuth and dampen the cartridge. This is useful for people who do not have well dampened arms and no azimuth adjustment.
kro77 OP
69 posts
 
I like the previous post.  I have a dampened arm, and Azimuth adjustment so not a huge amount of impact for me in theory.

I am honestly thinking about the Paua (old) and Voice
kro77 OP
69 posts
 
I email Soundsmith and he was very honest.  Net new and not used, older higher end will squeeze more music out of newer lower end units.

Very refreshing to see a vendor to be so honest.  Case closed...
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