Soundsmith Cartridge - The Voice

One of the Best High Output Cartridges Available Today! The ES Series version of the Stereophile Class A Recommended Component Award Winner!

Unparalleled 2 Year Warranty! Retip is less than 16% of MSRP at $650!

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.

Kudos, accolades and many "Product of the Year" awards. The Soundsmith "Voice" Cartridge is the pinnacle of High Output designs!

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." Soundsmith's 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 an Optimized Contour Line Contact Stylus, Soundsmith has 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 you directly to the performance; not stand between you and the music.

An Unparalleled Warranty:
The Voice Cartridge is covered for a full two years. Retip is less than 16% of the retail ($450). An absolutely unheard of warranty for cartridges. Made in the USA, the Soundsmith cartridges are the best long term values around!

In reviewing the original "Voice" cartridge:
"A Stunning Cartridge... Not only is The Voice a fantastic tracker, it's tonal balance is extremely neutral... I can't think of a cartridge in this price category that is more true to the music and even when comparing it to the stratospheric cartridges, The Voice still holds its own." - TONEAudio, Product Of The Year Award Winner

"Since repair of my cartridge [Clearaudio Concerto] wasn't possible, my search led to Soundsmith's The Voice. It's probably my last cartridge. Dynamics, imaging and scale are all important, but transparency is my personal holy grail and that is one of many places where The Voice shines. It's a wonderful cartridge. The Voice also has a v-shaped extension over the cantilever and stylus that makes it tough to damage. Having knocked off the cantilever of my previous cartridge twice because it protruded well beyond the front, that's a big deal for me." - Chris Bennion, satisfied Soundsmith customer

"The Voice will wring every last drop of performance from it at a price that, in a world where most competitors go for two, three and four grand (up to ten large), is extremely reasonable and probably a great bargain. It is easily a reference quality cartridge with the added edge of being supremely musical, which is why Peter [Ledermann] is going to have to pry this thing from my cold, bloody hand to get it back!" - James Darby, StereoMojo

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 gm
Effective tip mass: 0.30 mg
Compliance: 22 µm/mN
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 (Stereo), <1.0 dB (Mono)
Output voltage: 2.12 m V
Cartridge weight: 9.2 Grams
Loading: = 47 kOhm

2 Year Warranty
Retip: $650