Soundsmith Otello Phono Cartridge

$600.00

Made in  the USA. Rebuild Price? ~  $100 ~ Only 20% of MSRP, as always ! – The Otello features a 2 year warranty to the original owner.

Soundsmith’s entry level design captures more than its share of recorded beauty —by design. Big soundstage, detail and resolution at an affordable price.

“Perceived build quality given the Otello’s entry-level status is stunning and the styling is on par with the much dearer Zephyr MMIC. Trust me when I say you’ll feel pride of ownership as you install your Otello; outstanding cartridge at its price point. I’d happily recommend the Otello to friends intending to buy mid-priced turntables.” – Peter Familari, 6moons.

Out of stock

New ES Series DEMS design : Click to learn more about these cartridges!

The Otello is Soundsmith’s entry level Fixed Coil design, realizing an affordable pathway into the world of high-performance cartridges. Built by hand like all Soundsmith cartridges, the Otello provides a perfect balance of tone and resolution at a great price. The result is a cartridge that is at ease with any type of music. Just slightly warmer than other Soundsmith designs, Otello yields a richness of timbre that is utterly beguiling with a level of speed and dynamic range that no other cartridge in this price. The result? A wonderful design that gives the warmth of MM and the light-footedness of Moving Iron design.

  • SOUNDSMITH Sets a New Sonic Bar with the ES Series. The ES line features not only a dramatic new look, but is a significant evolution of the DEMS system design (Dynamic Energy Management System). All model names have been preserved, and pricing remains the same. The new Soundsmith ES cartridge designs are a significant advancement in cartridge performance due to their ability to direct internal vibrational forces without reflection and disperse them properly to the tone arm.
  • The absence of reflections enables the stylus to stay in far greater statistical contact with the groove walls — a critically important technical refinement. Increased liquidity and reduced “grain,” without loss of detail are some of the immediately discernible advantages of Soundsmith’s new ES models. Every cartridge in the line now features the sleek new ES body design and allows azimuth adjustment when used in tonearms that do not permit it.
  • The upgrade is far more than cosmetic; the new shape is a departure from the reflective and “boxy” design of many cartridges whose internal construction contribute to uncontrolled vibrational issues adversely effecting performance. Peter says, “Think of how singing in an open field compares with singing in a shower.” Soundsmith has always challenged conventions, looking deeper into nuances of cartridge design that dramatically affect immediate and long term performance.
  • Our entry level design captures more than its share of recorded beauty —by design. Big soundstage, detail and resolution at an affordable price. The Otello is Soundsmith’s entry level Fixed Coil design, realizing an affordable pathway into the world of high-performance cartridges. Built by hand like all Soundsmith cartridges, the Otello provides a perfect balance of tone and resolution at a great price. The result is a cartridge that is at ease with any type of music.
  • Just slightly warmer than other Soundsmith designs, Otello yields a richness of timbre that is utterly beguiling with a level of speed and dynamic range that no other cartridge in this price. The result? A wonderful design that gives the warmth of MM and the light-footedness of Moving Iron design.

Specifications

Cartridge Type

Fixed Coil

Stylus Type

Elliptical

Output

High

Available As Dual Coil Mono

Yes

Additional Specifications

Type: • Fixed Coil / Moving Iron
Mount: • Standard ½”
Stylus: • Elliptical Titanium Bonded, 0.20 mm round
Radius of Curvature: • 6 x 17 µm
Cantilever: • Aluminum Alloy
Recommended Tracking Force: • 1.3 – 1.6 g Standard (Medium Compliance)
• 1.0 – 1.2 g (Special Order High Compliance)
Effective Tip Mass: • 0.50 mg
Compliance: • 22 µm/mN (Medium Compliance)
• 28 µm/mN (High Compliance)
Frequence Response: • 20 – 20,000 Hz ± 2.5 dB
Channel Separation @ 1000 Hz: • > 24 dB
• N/A (Mono version)
Channel Separation @ 50 – 15,000 Hz: • > 20 dB
• N/A (Mono version)
Channel Difference: • < 1.8 dB
• < 1.0 dB (Mono version)
Output Voltage @ 5cm/sec: • > 2.12 mV (HIGH)
DC Resistance (DCR): • 680Ω
Coil Inductance per channel: • 190 mH
Suggested Preamp Gain: • 38 – 44 dB
Cartridge Weight: • 9.20 g (ES series)
Recommended Load Resistance: • ≥ 47kΩ
Recommended Load Capacitance: • n/a