“I tried this cartridge because to me its about top of the line money wise. I have never felt the need to even demo another. This cartridge, vpi turntable, Manley Oasis, and Prima Luna amp are all I will ever need. I love the sound.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

“Well, I am astounded. This is the first product (other than speakers) I have purchased that has made such an enormous difference in the joy of the music. There is so much more detail and airiness. I have always been a bit of a doubter audiophile, this has convinced me, cartridges matter enormously. I am using the Technics SL-1200G, a lundahl SUT and a Manley chinook.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 10 months ago

Mark Stamper

Verified Reviewer

“Best cartridge I've owned and a great thanks to Kat and Peter Ledermann for fixing my BIG mistake. Just awesome!”

2 Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Benjamin Meadows

Verified Reviewer

“For those of you shopping in this price range, likely you are looking at two cartridges: the Lyra Delos and the Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC ES. Now that I have had both in my system, I can sum it up like this: The Lyra Delos is like a super hot somebody you meet at a fancy night club, who may or may not be out of your league, but for some reason you hit it off and get lucky. Sometime down the road that hottie gets to be kinda bitchy and high maintenance. The Soundsmith, on the other hand, is the cutie next door you've been friends with for a long time, and now you both realize you're in love and made for each other. Metaphors aside, they are both extremely capable, very special cartridges. You get more than you paid for with both carts. The Delos wasn't difficult to set up, but getting correct azimuth can be challenging. The Soundsmith MIMC was more difficult setting up initially, but rewards the listener thereafter with trouble-free listening. Delos is a gorgeous sounding cart, but definitely hot-tuned out of the box, and takes almost 100 hours to come on song. The Soundsmith will open up at right about 34 hours. The MIMC channel separation is really amazing and to my ears far superior to the Delos. The Soundsmith isn't as detailed or analytical as the Delos, but offers a very solid soundstage with delightful sparkle and shimmer. Bear in mind when it comes time for a retip the Delos is going to run you over a grand, while the Soundsmith MIMC is $350. The MIMC does require higher loading capabilities but I've run it with both the Manley Chinook and Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE II with no problem. I've been happy between 800 and 1000ohms. The Delos likes the standard 100ohm setting on both of these preamps. All told, I like having both on hand, and I consider myself a lucky guy to now use the Lyra Delos as my back-up cartridge when I get the Soundsmith re-tipped. The Delos really is a beauty. But I have found a real and meaningful relationship with the Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC Star ES. Hope this helps you make the right decision.”

5 Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Timothy Nguyen

Verified Reviewer

“Exceptional cartridge !”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

John Villano

Verified Reviewer

“I don't know where to start here? Ok, yeah I do, HOLY $&!%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this cartridge is SO AWESOME. I am extremely happy with the performance. I thought my Hana SH was incredible, and IT IS don't get me wrong, but the warmth and 3 dimensionality of the MIMC Star is next level. I was afraid I was going to lose the detail of the Hana SH, but that didn't happen. It is the best of all worlds. I was also worried about there being a lack of bass response, not even an issue. The other great benefit of the MIMC Star is the lack of surface noise. We all have a couple of records that are less than perfect, but they mean so much to us so we put up with the pops and clicks. Well, with the MIMC Star, some of those pops and clicks have lessened considerably. Yes, I know it is expensive to some people (me included), but when I found out that you can have these rebuilt for like $300-$400, WHAAAAAAT!!!!! that alone pays for itself in one rebuild. Do yourself a favor and get this cartridge and be done with it. You will not regret it, I promise you Enjoy the music”

4 Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

Bruce Williamson

Verified Reviewer

“Really love how this cart performs! Very wide soundstage and delivers clean frequency range both at the top and bottom. Of course, a competent phono stage is required. Loading at 470 ohms and 60db…very warm timbre. Loaded at 1000 sounded a bit harsh and thin. SS’s rebuild policy is attractive but that’s down the road. Not an inexpensive cartridge choice but this performs so well as an “entry level” for SS, that it has me wondering how much better it can get going upstream in the SoundSmith lineup! Note that this cart is so precise in its tracking that it requires extra care/attention in setup. In my case I determined that a very slight azimuth adjustment was needed. This baby sings! REVISED Cart is breaking in nicely. Plays even smoother. Loaded up from 470 ohms to 1000 ohms. Base is improved, not boomy and highs are very clear.”

2 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

Richard Vince

Verified Reviewer

“I found the cartridge to be very easy to setup. The Zephyr replaced a Shelter 501 MkII. As a result the bass has improved, the sound stage is improved with very detailed placement of instruments and vocals and lastly the detail in the mid-range and the highs are superb. Can’t wait until it is broken in.”

2 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC ☆ ES Moving Iron Cartridge Reviews