Otello vs. Carmen mkII.........help me choose.


Hello, 

I wanted to upgrade my turntable cartridge in a small second system.  I came upon these two carts for 3 reasons: great reviews, excellent quality of manufacturing, and the rebuild option. Plus, Soundsmith is a stones throw from where I live.

The system is as follows:

Vintage Sony PS-X7 direct drive turntable. DC servo-controlled brushless and slotless motor. Statically balanced, universal pivot tonearm. Arm (shell) weight, 10.5g.  Cartridge weight range, 2.5-9.5g range (8-14.5g with extra weight). The deck was made in the mid-70's and cost around $400 back then.  I am currently using a 15 year old Grado Prestige Gold cart, very low hours.

Phono pre-amp, QHW (Quality Hi-Fi Works Audio).  Made in Spain (Michael Fremer highly recommended the unit about a year ago in Stereophile Magazine).

Pre-amp specs-  accepts both MM and MC via toggle switch.  Gain, fixed at 43db in MM mode, switchable from 63db to 69db in MC mode.

MM load dipswitch options: 47P, 220P, 150P, 100P

MC load dipswich options: 47K, 1K, 560R, 470R, 100R, 47R

PRIMA LUNA ProLogue 2 integrated amplifier (no sub out, no remote, bare bones and gorgeous sounding).

Speakers: Von Schweikert VR1, stand-mounted bookshelf/monitor.

In terms of the music I like: electric and acoustic jazz, funk, R and B, and classical.

I'm not looking to use a cart as an equalizer.  I want all playback gear to be true to source, and not impart any sort of color.  That said, I do like tightness and control in bass and percussion, but also like "air" and "space" in orchestral music.  I sway towards instrumentals, with few vocal artists in my LP stash.

I realize that the Carmen is a few hundred more than the Otello, but wanted to get an opinion if it would be worth the extra bucks.  If you have another suggestion that is bursting from within, please feel free to share any recommendations, under $1,000.

 

Thanks for looking.  Happy listening.

judsauce

judsauce

I have both the Soundsmith Zephyr and the lo output MIMC Star.

I can tell you, the MIMC is better than the Zephyr. More refined overall. Is it worth the extra $$? To me it is.

I would imagine the Otello is a very nice cart for the money, but there is little doubt in my mind that the Carmen is better. And I have heard neither. However subtle it may be for some, I’m sure the difference exists.

Your other option is to keep yours eyes out for a Zephyr, as I’ve seen them for close to $1,000 both new and used, and IMO the Zephyr is a great cart for the money.

@judsauce,

The Otello has a simple elliptical Titanium stylus - Otello | Soundsmith (sound-smith.com).  The Carmen has a hyper elliptical diamond stylus - Carmen mk II | Soundsmith (sound-smith.com).  

Otherwise, I have the Carmen (and the Boheme & Paua) and the various reviews such as Soundsmith Carmen Mk II phonograph cartridge (positive-feedback.com) are accurate - it has a smoother presentation. 

There is a Carmen MKII available at a good price Soundsmith Carmen mk II Phono Cartridge (hifiheaven.net) and Soundsmith only charges $200 to 'rebuild'.