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EMT and SoundSmith

Hi Goners
I'm looking for a medium output cartridge and have come down to either EMT or SoundSmith. Has anyone tested both of these brands and can compare and opine? More than any specific cart comparison, I'm really more curious to hear about general build quality and overall characteristics of these two brands. I have read plenty on SS but do not see much on EMT carts particularly since they restarted production. 
The phono stage has 56db of gain so the 1.05 output of EMT carts or 1.1 of SS should both work great. The carts of most interest are the JSD 5 or 6 and the Nautilus. 

Thanks in advance for the insight. 
gmercer
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
EMT has by the usual measurement 1 mV output. So your phono-pre
has sufficient amplification with 56 dB. 
dodgealum
1,400 posts
 
I agree with everything @millercarbon said but wonder how many SS owners actually take Peter up on his revolutionary policy. The typical audiophile likes to change things up, not wear things out. I’m guessing most SS owners sell and move up the line or to another flavor cartridge long before they wear out the tip and send it back to Peter for a rebuild. If anything, the retip policy does improve the resale market for your SS when you decide to move on. 
BTW, just sold my MIMC Star (w/ less than 200 hrs) and am also interested in comments comparing SS with EMT (HSD 006 or JSD 5/6). 
pops
2,273 posts
 
Hi Dodgealum - what cartridge have you moved to - I was thinking of buying the Zephyr MIMC Star.  I spent a lot of time with his Hyperion at the Cap Audio Fest in addition to the Strain Gauge and both were outstanding on his system.

Those cartridges are out of my price range right now so thinking about the Zephyr since I am getting low on cartridges - down to one and it is getting long in the tooth.  Hope I did not hijack the thread gmercer.

Jerry 
dodgealum
1,400 posts
 
@pops Haven’t yet—still working out possible arm and cartridge combos for my next table. Very interested in hearing EMT and Charisma but have not had the opportunity yet. May also move up the Soundsmith line to a new ES body model above the MIMC Star but will have to decide in concert with arm selection.
pops
2,273 posts
 
Good luck with your choice. 
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