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PREOWNED – FULLY TESTED – INCLUDES ORIGINAL WOOD BOX, MANUAL, SCREWS, NEEDLE GUARD – 500 HOURS OF USE
Created out of the desire to make a very high performance design at an affordable price, the Carmen mk II was crafted to have unparalleled purity of tone and ultra-smooth presentation. Just slightly lush with a well-developed midrange, the Carmen is surprisingly pleasing and will seduce you into long, late listening sessions.
The stylus used is a large part of what makes it special; an ultra-low mass occlusion free nude diamond cut and polished into a true hyper-elliptical shape. The combination of low tip mass and the Fixed Coil design gives the Carmen a tremendous resolution advantage over MC designs selling for more than twice the price. Housed in a handmade solid Ebony case, the Carmen delivers.
Cartridge Type
Fixed Coil
Stylus Type
Elliptical
Output
High
Additional Specifications
Stylus: Nude Elliptical, 0.120mm SQ
Radius of curvature: 6 x 17 μm
Cantilever: Aluminum Alloy
Effective tip mass: 0.35 mg
Compliance: 28 μm/mN (high), 22 μm/mN (medium)
Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz ± 2.5 dB
Channel separation (stereo only): 1000 Hz >26 dB, 50-15,000
>20 dB
Channel difference:
Against a new US$999.95 Carmen Mk II, US$500 is a solid used buy if the stylus and cantilever are healthy; it’s roughly half of retail and lands in the fair-to-good zone rather than feeling stretched. I’d call it especially sensible if this is a clean, lightly used example with some remaining tip life, because cartridge depreciation is steep once the original owner starts moving it on.
What makes it appealing is the usual Soundsmith charm: a smooth, refined midrange, strong tracking, and an easy sense of musical flow that suits a lot of real-world setups. The other big plus is practical: rebuild support is available for US$199, which gives the cartridge a longer useful life than many moving-coil buys. At this price, the main thing to verify is condition and hours—if the suspension and stylus are sound, it’s a worthwhile pickup.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Soundsmith traces its roots to Peter Ledermann, a veteran audio engineer with over 50 years of experience, whose career spanned design roles at RAM Audio and Bozak speakers, followed by stints at IBM's T.J. Watson Research Center. Leaving corporate life in 1991, Ledermann transformed his earlier audio mentoring venture, The Soundsmith, into a full-fledged manufacturing company based in Peekskill, New York. For more than 40 years, he has served as president and chief engineer, channeling a lifelong passion for science and sound into innovative analog solutions.
The brand specializes in handcrafted phono cartridges, renowned for their moving-iron, fixed-coil designs that deliver exceptional sonic detail and value. Models like the Aida high-output cartridge exemplify Soundsmith's commitment to precision engineering, with customizable options such as ruby cantilevers. While not venturing into amplifiers, speakers, or digital gear like DACs, their focus remains laser-sharp on elevating vinyl playback through superior cartridge technology.
Positioned as a niche boutique in the high-end market, Soundsmith earns acclaim among discerning audiophiles for its artisanal quality and Peter Ledermann's personal touch, including ties to his charity DirectGrace Records. Reviews from outlets like Stereophile highlight its consistent excellence, making it a go-to for vinyl enthusiasts seeking transformative performance without mainstream hype.
See all Soundsmith listings on RADAR.
