Munich HIGH END Show Report 2015
High End Society Munich Germany

Soundsmith @ HIGH END 2015 

  Soundsmith is here at HIGH END 2015 showcasing their incredible line of analog products. While many audiophiles are stuck with either the moving coil (MC) or moving magnet (MM), they may be wrong in not giving new technology a chance. MM and MC cartridge designs are decades old, and with modern technology comes fresh new ideas. Here we have the Soundsmith Helios ($7500) moving iron (MI), which is an excellent medium output phono cartridge design.

Going to their other MI cartridge, here we have the Soundsmith Hyperion ($7500), which is allow output design and is said to be the choice for even the most esteemed audio equipment manufacturers. In fact many show exhibitors use the Hyperion with their turntables to achieve an excellent sound. The Hyperion MI cartridge uses a special 'cactus spine' for the cantilever. The naturally tapered shape, stacked columnar fibers and resin damping fit the exact parameters "of the perfect cantilever: Low mass, extreme rigidity, internal damping, and tremendous strength" according to Soundsmith. Furthermore, for added flexibility you can get the Hyperion Dual Compliance Design variant for those of you with older linear tracking turntables.

Of note is that all Soundsmith cartridges can be completely rebuilt by the factory. Thus your investment is secured in case of accident or after many thousands of normal use. In this day and age of 'throw away' devices, it is great to know that once you buy a Soundsmith cartridge, it can be freshened for a reasonable cost and brought back as-new performance. You can read Enjoy the Music.com's world premiere review of the Soundsmith Mezzo and Nautilus phono cartridges at this link.

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