2. analog
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Thing of upgrading the Soundsmith Carmen II

I love the way this cart sounds on VPI Prime, but it really pronounces the sibalence more than my Dynavector 2x20L and Denon 103R. But it trumps the other 2 for big live sound, presence, and sound stage. So what I think I'm looking for is a great tracking MC cart. 

I have a Parasound JC3+, a Decware integrated amp, an do Zu Omen Def Mk II's with the Radian tweeter upgrade. 

The carts im thinking about (but I'm open to others):

Ortofon Quintet Black S
AT ART 7
AT ART 9
another Soundsmith?

id like to keep the price at $1k or less

i really like the Carmen, except for the dang sibalence; as for set up I've been through it at least 10 times using the Mint Protrctor, a digital Tracking Force gauge, and a fozgometer. I'm I'm dead nuts on azimuth according to the Soundsmith website. 

Thought?
last_lemming
avanti1960
225 posts
 
how many hours on the soundsmith? 
last_lemming OP
407 posts
 
200+
avanti1960
225 posts
 
definitely broken in then!  
I have had the ART9 for nearly a year and it is a very nice sounding cartridge- much better than my 2M Black and Dynavector DV20X2L.  
If I were to upgrade it would be to a Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC star or Lyra Delos.  
tablejockey
743 posts
 
last_lemming-
Have you consulted  w/SS?

You can contact Peter directly. He will dial you in.

Into 3rd year with my ART9. When I do upgrade,an upper level SS will be in my lineup. Great cart for the price point.


last_lemming OP
407 posts
 
I did contact SS and spoke with Peter, and while he did offer to have me send it it in for inspection I hadn’t gone through all the additional rechecking at that point. Understand that the sibilance isn’t horrible, just more noticeable than my other carts. I believe it’s not necessarily anything wrong with the car itself. Though I would have to send it in to be sure.

just today I rechecked my alignment with my Mint Protractor and it was dead on. Out of curiosity I slipped in the VPI alignment jig to check where the Mint null point would fall relative to the VPI jig. The stylus was about 1mm further out than the VPI jigs null point. This has me a bit confused/concerned. I know there are different null points for different alignments, but i don’t know how much 1mm would or would not affect sibilance.

what are your opinions of the ART 9 relative to sibilance and the carts tracking ability.

i also just purchased the SMARTractor alignment protractor, and while definately not cheap, a have another TT and I'm hoping this protractor will help me zero in both TT's with ease removing some human error along the way. 
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