Soundsmith Paua Mk II Hand-Made Low-Output Cartridge

The NEW Paua MKII:
adorned with sea shell to remind us of the beauty of the sounds of the world
all around us. Nature healing nature.  

The Paua is one of
Soundsmith’s most highly regarded top of the line low output cartridges. It has
won numerous accolades and praise from users and reviewers around the word,
including an “Editor’s Choice Award” in 2015 from TAS. Now we introduce the new
Paua MKII, employing a newly developed Aluminum alloy used to fashion the
MKII’s cantilever into a precision acoustic and mechanical lever. It features
stiffness in the ranges required, while providing critical damping in other
sections of the acoustic spectrum. The reult is an even better Paua, a
cartridge that gets raves from its owners, and can be fully rebuilt many times
for $550  – a fraction of its original cost – as with all Soundsmith
cartridges – 20% or less.    

Featuring ultra-low
internal moving mass, a specialized telescoping newly developed alloy
cantilever and highly polished low mass nude Contact Line stylus, the Paua MKII
will add a unique quality of warmth and smoothness to any analog system without
leaving behind all the delicate musical details you want and need to hear. The
Paua MKII reaches new heights of stylus control and performance, as is
confirmed by its incredibly high channel separation figures.

We have accomplished
a work of art with the Paua MKII design, resulting in an unparalleled and
sublime performance.

Also available in
dual-coil mono, as with all Soundsmith Fixed Coil designs.

Each one hand
crafted by Peter Ledermann – Made in  the USA. Rebuild Price? $550
– Less than 20% of MSRP ! ~  The Paua mk II features
a 1 year warranty to the original owner.

“I never
expected when I mounted the new Paua Mk2 cartridge that it would sound as good
as my 20K reference Koetsu Blue Lace…I am loading the Paua at 1 K ohm through
my Dan D’Agostino Phono Stage and it sounds like a world class cartridge…with
break in over the past few weeks I am starting to realize that I may have to
fess up and admit that the Paua is becoming my new reference…and a little off
topic but important is that Mr. Ledermann’s EZ mount screw set and azimuth
adjustable headshell are amazing products themselves in their own
right…” – Theodore Neff, NH

“I’m the guy
with the haunted ZYX R100. I just got my new Paua II yesterday, and I want to
thank you. You took care of me better than I deserved. This is the best
cartridge I’ve ever owned, or even heard…anywhere. Zero sibilance, and
absolutely effortless sound (just for starters). You already know this, I’m
sure : >. I’m getting more out of my old VPI HW19 Jr. than I thought it had
to give. I can tell this is heirloom quality, and I’m totally sold on the fixed
coil idea. This is the sort of quality I hope for when buying American. I’ve
already told anyone who will listen that they’d be a fool not to consider one
of your cartridges. I’m sure I’ll be contacting you about a rebuild someday. I
intend to wear this thing out!”

Sincerely,
Bruce Kasprzyk

Warranty

1 Year

Specifications

Cartridge Type
Fixed Coil

Stylus Type
Contact Line

Output
Low

Output Voltage
.4 mV

Available As Dual
Coil Mono
Yes

Additional
Specifications

Stylus: Contact
Line Nude, 0.100mm SQ
Radius of curvature: Nude Contact Line SELECTED
Cantilever: Telescoping Aluminum Alloy
Recommended tracking force: 1.7 to 1.9 grams
Effective tip mass: 0.30 mg
Compliance: 10 μm/mN (low compliance)
Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz ± 1.0 dB
Channel separation (stereo only): 1000 Hz >34 dB 50-15,000
>25 dB
Channel difference: <0.5 dB (Stereo), <1.0 dB (Mono)
Output Voltage: ≥0.4 mV
DC Resistance (DCR): 10-11 Ω each channel
Coil: 2.75 mH each channel
Suggested Preamp Gain: 58-64 dB
Soundsmith Recommends: MCP2 Variable Loading Preamp
Cartridge weight: 10.25 grams
Loading: ≥ 470 Ω