The Soundsmith ZEPHYR MIMC STAR Cartridge responds to the demand for a lower-priced, low-output design for those who own high gain preamps, Soundsmith developed the Zephyr MIMC STAR, which follows in the footsteps of the highly successful high-output Zephyr II. The handcrafted Zephyr MIMC STAR (Moving Iron for Moving Coil Preamps) is based on the world-famous Sussurro cartridge and captures the gist of the latter‘s sonic signature at a much more reasonable price. The Zephyr MIMC STAR has been specifically designed to complement both unipivot arms and gimbaled bearing arms. Its sonic attributes include evenly balanced frequency response, dynamic shadings and remarkable detail retrieval; its slam will leave even the most die-hard analog buffs breathless.
Soundsmith ZEPHYR MIMC STAR Cartridge Specifications:
Stylus: Selected Contact Line low mass Nude Stylus
Radius of curvature: 6 x 17 μm
Cantilever:Laser Drilled Sapphire
Recommended tracking force: 1.8 to 2.2 grams
Effective tip mass: 0.32 mg
Compliance: 10 μm/mN (low compliance)
Frequency response: 15-45,000 Hz ± 2.0 dB
Channel separation (stereo only): 1000 Hz >28 dB, 50-15,000 >25 dB
Channel difference: <1.0 dB (Stereo), <0.5 dB (Dual Mono operation- w/optimal VTF setting)
Output Voltage: ≥0.4 mV
Cartridge weight: 12.2 grams
Loading: ≥ 470 Ω
ES Cartridges with “DEMS”
Sometimes when mounting on a grounded metal arm, a cartridge will create a hum due to a ground loop. If you experience some low-level hum due to the ground loop, you can now solve this issue by using the two half-round white rods which are to be placed and used in the OUTER slots, seen on the top of the cartridge. Place them flat side UP.
The rods are made of Alumina, and are insulating, thus allowing ground isolation for your cartridge without compromising the crucial mechanical energy transfer into the tonearm. This energy transfer is maintained due to the use of Alumina, which has the same properties as aluminium but is non-conductive. Due to the novel body design of the ES cartridge, electrical isolation can still be maintained even though you may use metal screws.
On tonearms that do not allow azimuth adjustment, it is now possible to achieve this adjustment by way of the ES series by using the one full round alumina rod in the centre slot only, alternately tightening and loosening the mounting screws by small amounts.
See Soundsmith product range HERE
