Soundsmith Cartridge - Otello ES

Soundsmith's entry level cartridge features a big soundstage, amazing detail and superb resolution at an affordable price!

Unparalleled 2 Year Warranty! Retip is less than 22% of MSRP at $200!

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 Otello is Soundsmith’s entry level Fixed Coil design, realizing an affordable pathway into the world of high-performance cartridges. Built by hand like all Soundsmith cartridges, the Otello provides a perfect balance of tone and resolution at a great price. The result is a cartridge that is at ease with any type of music. Just slightly warmer than other Soundsmith designs, Otello yields a richness of timbre that is utterly beguiling with a level of speed and dynamic range that no other cartridge in this price. The result? A wonderful design that gives the warmth of MM and the light-footedness of Moving Iron design.

An Unparalleled Warranty:
The Otello Cartridge is covered for a full two years. Retip is 22% of the retail ($100). An absolutely unheard of warranty for cartridges. Made in the USA, the Soundsmith cartridges are the best long term values around!

Specifications:
Cartridge Type: Fixed Coil Stylus Type: Elliptical
Output: Hight
Stylus: Elliptical Titanium Bonded, 0.20mm Round
Radius of curvature: 6 x 17um
Cantilever: Aluminum Alloy
Recommended tracking force: 1.3 - 1.6 gm (standard medium compliance)
Effective tip mass: 0.50 mg
Compliance: 22 um/mN (medium)
Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz ± 2.5 dB
Channel separation (stereo only): 1000 Hz >24 dB, 50-15,000 >20 dB
Channel difference: <1.8 dB (Stereo)
Output voltage: >2.12 mV
Cartridge weight: 6.8 grams
Stylus to Mounting Hole Offset: = 10mm (0.4")
Loading: > or = 47 kOhms

2 Year Warranty
Retip: $200