Soundsmith SMMC2 Phono Cartridge

Johnny Vinyl · Oct 28, 2011

Having owned a Grado Ref Platinum Moving Iron cartridge, I am somewhat interested in this MI cartridge from Soundsmith.

I know Rich owns their top-of-the-line cartridge, but does anyone have any details about the sound characteristics of the one I'm posting about? I have always liked the Grados because of their midrange strength, and I'd like any new cartridge to exhibit those same details or better.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Soundsmith-SMMC2-Phono-Cartridge?sc=2&category=35414

As usual, many thanks for your input.

naturephoto1 · Oct 28, 2011

John72953 said:
Having owned a Grado Ref Platinum Moving Iron cartridge, I am somewhat interested in this MI cartridge from Soundsmith.

I know Rich owns their top-of-the-line cartridge, but does anyone have any details about the sound characteristics of the one I'm posting about? I have always liked the Grados because of their midrange strength, and I'd like any new cartridge to exhibit those same details or better.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Soundsmith-SMMC2-Phono-Cartridge?sc=2&category=35414

As usual, many thanks for your input.

Hi John,

Here is a review of the SMMC1 the model above the SMMC2:

http://www.stereophile.com/phonocartridges/408sound/

AudioKarma discussion/review of the SMMC2:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=263187

Audio Asylum comparison of the SMMC2 with a Dynavector and comments regarding the Wood Body equivalent of the SMCC2 and the SMCC1:

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/messages/81/814722.html

I hope these help.

Rich

Johnny Vinyl · Oct 28, 2011

Thanks Rich,

Not sure if the reviews I read are convincing enough to take a jump on that cartridge blindly. I think I'd want to hear it first, which is unlikely to happen unfortunately.

naturephoto1 · Oct 28, 2011

John72953 said:
Thanks Rich,

Not sure if the reviews I read are convincing enough to take a jump on that cartridge blindly. I think I'd want to hear it first, which is unlikely to happen unfortunately.

Hi John,

There are no local dealers that can demo one?

If nothing else, consider the service that Peter offers his customers. He/they have a tremendous number of extremely pleased customers who have purchased his cartridges and who have also had Soundmith repair, rebuild, and retip many cartridges of many other manufacturers of cartridges.

Rich

Johnny Vinyl · Oct 28, 2011

naturephoto1 said:
Hi John,

There are no local dealers that can demo one?

If nothing else, consider the service that Peter offers his customers. He/they have a tremendous number of extremely pleased customers who have purchased his cartridges and who have also had Soundmith repair, rebuild, and retip many cartridges of many other manufacturers of cartridges.

Rich

Hi Rich,

I'd have to do some digging, but I have never seen a Soundsmith product anywhere closeby.

naturephoto1 · Oct 28, 2011

John72953 said:
Hi Rich,

I'd have to do some digging, but I have never seen a Soundsmith product anywhere closeby.

Hi John,

I went to the Soundsmith website and this is listed as a Soundsmith dealer:

http://www.mykindofmusic.com/

My Kind of Music - Dealer

John Costanzo

216 Heath Street West, No. 2,

Toronto, Ontario Canada

M5P 1N7

Main: (416) 850-7945

Fax: (416) 631-9394

Email: info@mykindofmusic.com

Website: http://www.mykindofmusic.com

Rich

Johnny Vinyl · Oct 28, 2011

naturephoto1 said:
Hi John,

I went to the Soundsmith website and this is listed as a Soundsmith dealer:

http://www.mykindofmusic.com/

My Kind of Music - Dealer

John Costanzo

216 Heath Street West, No. 2,

Toronto, Ontario Canada

M5P 1N7

Main: (416) 850-7945

Fax: (416) 631-9394

Email: info@mykindofmusic.com

Website: http://www.mykindofmusic.com

Rich

Hi Rich,

I know John and have spoken with him on many occasions, so thanks for highlighting this. His shop is downtown Toronto and by appointment more often than not, so it's not the easiest to arrange. I'll give him a call and see if I can demo it.

mep · Oct 28, 2011

Rich-Can you call Soundsmith and make an appointment for John and arrange transportation too?

naturephoto1 · Oct 28, 2011

mep said:
Rich-Can you call Soundsmith and make an appointment for John and arrange transportation too?

Hi Mark,

Peter had to let go of a number of long time employees due to the economy. Soundsmith is just trying to stay in business in these tough times. As a result, Peter is much more difficult to reach. I have little or no more pull in dealing with Peter and Soundsmith than pretty much anyone else. I believe that in order to audition a cartridge, he will have to deal directly with the dealer and/or have the dealer order a cartridge. If however John prefers, he can order directly from Soundsmith. They are set-up to take orders over the phone. They also have a showroom in Peekskill, NY but that will not help John.

Rich

mep · Oct 28, 2011

Rich-I corrected my post. I meant to say the dealer in Canada and it was a joke.

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