Soundsmith mk II ES Series

A low output of 0.4 mV means this cartridge requires a high-quality phono preamp or a step-up transformer to boost the signal to a line level. Ensure your phono stage supports moving coil or low-output moving iron cartridges to achieve the best performance.

The Paua MKII-ES uses a standard 1/2-inch mount, making it compatible with the vast majority of modern and vintage tonearms. As long as your tonearm allows for standard headshell mounting and adjustable tracking force, it should integrate seamlessly.

The DEMS technology is designed to channel internal vibrations away from the stylus and into the body of the cartridge. This results in a cleaner signal with less grain and improved tracking, allowing the stylus to maintain better contact with the groove walls.

The Nude Contact Line stylus is shaped to trace the groove walls more precisely than standard elliptical tips. This allows it to extract more high-frequency detail and nuance from your records while reducing surface noise and distortion.

Yes, maintaining the recommended tracking force is essential for both sound quality and record longevity. We suggest starting at 1.8 grams and fine-tuning within the specified range to find the optimal balance for your specific tonearm and listening environment.

The moving iron design uses a very lightweight piece of metal at the end of the cantilever, which significantly reduces the effective tip mass compared to moving magnet designs. This lower mass allows the stylus to react faster to groove modulations, resulting in greater transparency and musical detail.