Does anyone have experience matching an Icon PS1 MKII with a Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC Star?


I own Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC Star LO cartridge. I am looking to purchase an Icon PS1 MKII phono pre. The PS1 uses a passive 10:1 SUT with a fixed 100 ohm impedance for the MC input. The Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC Star cartridge requires a minimum 470 ohm load. Music Direct is telling me that I should be fine. But I would be interested in hearing from someone who has experience with this actual combination. Thanks.

flash56

@lewm 

You are muddying the waters again.

The Icon PS1 MM input is 47k and an external SUT 1/10 will load the cartridge correctly.

All you are doing is confusing the person who started the thread with your hypothetical postulation.

@flash56 

Both the suggestions by @tablejockey are good options.

Manley Chinook & Zesto Andros. I've listened to the Andros for a couple of years with a variety of cartridges - it's very good. musical and underrated in my opinion.

An update.

I take back what I said about Soundsmith. Peter Lebermann quickly responded. He said that he would supply me with a stand alone SUT for the Zephyr MIMC for a very reasonable price of $500. I have taken him up on his offer. So that problem is solved.

I am currently using an old Sonic Frontiers SFP-1. Which is a tube phono pre that uses a FET MC step-up pre. I am going to use the SUT with it through the MM inputs. And see what a SUT sounds like. Maybe I will like it, and maybe I won't. But I am intrigued enough that I want to find out. The Sonic Frontiers is getting old. The company no longer exists. And I have yet to be able to find a schematic for it. If anyone should know where I might find one. Please pass that information along, If you would be so kind.

As far as Icon Audio is concerned. Now that I will have a stand-alone SUT that matches the Zephyr. I would consider purchasing the Icon PS2 MM phono pre. But the fact that they have not yet bothered to reply to my very valid questions concerning the PS1 MKII causes me hesitation about doing business with them.

@flash56,

Parts Connection Parts Connexion services Sonic Frontiers components and does improvement mods on some.  I am quite sure they could refresh your SFP-1.