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

Showing 3 responses by mijostyn

@kro77 , get the Voice!! It is a high output Sussurro. The only reason it is priced lower are marketing considerations. Peter told this to me himself.
The higher output gives you a much better signal to noise ration and more dynamics. The only cartridge Soundsmith makes that is substantially better is the Strain Gauge. 
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  Yup, all because of the higher output. Peter only makes low output cartridges to suit the market. He told me this himself. If people didn't want to use their expensive phono stages and were not fixated on low output cartridges he would not make them. Lower output has benefit for MC cartridges but absolutely none for MI cartridges. The coils and magnets are not part of the moving system. I did not ask him why he did not make a high output Hyperion. My guess is that the high output club would not pay that much for a cartridge.