SKU: 45676913153

Soundsmith Carmen MKII Turntable Cartridge

Sale price$828.00 Regular price$920.00
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Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 15 - Jul 20

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Description

Soundsmith Carmen MKII Turntable CartridgeCARMEN MKII Our Carmen design resolves high performance at an affordable price. A dramatic deep and wide soundstage, and ultra trackability. The Carmen MKII was created out of the desire to make a very high performance design at an affordable price Just slightly lush with a well developed midrange, the Carmen MKIIis surprisingly pleasing and will seduce you into late listening sessions. The stylus used is a part of what makes it special; an ultralow

CARMEN MKII

Our Carmen design resolves high performance at an affordable price. A dramatic deep and wide soundstage, and ultra trackability.

The Carmen MKII was created out of the desire to make a very high performance design at an affordable price... Just slightly lush with a well developed midrange, the Carmen MKIIis surprisingly pleasing and will seduce you into late listening sessions. The stylus used is a part of what makes it special; an ultralow mass cut and polished into a true Hyper-Elliptical shape. The combination of low tip mass and the Moving Iron gives the Carmen MKII a tremendous resolution advantage over MC designs selling for more than twice the price. Housed in our new ES DEMS body design, the Carmen MKII delivers.

New EM Series DEMS Design

What is DEMS??

“Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover.” – Peter Ledermann.

2018’s RMAF show was the official launch of Soundsmith’s new ES series of cartridges, where the attendees experienced the latest exploration into overlooked areas of cartridge design and solutions from Soundsmith.

The ES line features not only a dramatic new look, but is a significant evolution of the DEMS system design (Dynamic Energy Management System). 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.

The new line also features Azimuth adjustment built-in to each cartridge, as well as the option for electrical isolation for hum-prone systems. (see picture below)

Every cartridge in Soundsmith’s lineup will now feature our sleek new ES body design. 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 affecting 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. These have included extreme reductions of moving mass and the use of novel materials and designs. The new ES lineup is a continuation of that research and development.

ES Series Mounting

The new ES has some special mounting features that you need to be aware of.

Sometimes when mounting on a grounded metal arm, a cartridge will create hum due to a ground loop. If you experience some low level hum due to ground loop, you can now solve this issue by using the two half-round white rods which are to be placed and used in the OUTER slots, seen on the top of the cartridge. Place them flat side UP.

The rods are made of Alumina, and are insulating, thus allowing ground isolation for your cartridge without compromising the crucial mechanical energy transfer into the tone arm. This energy transfer is maintained due to the use of Alumina, which has the same properties as aluminum, but is non-conductive. Due to the novel body design of the ES cartridge, electrical isolation can still be maintained even though you may use metal screws.

On tone arms that do not allow azimuth adjustment, it is now possible to achieve this adjustment by way of the ES series by using the one full round alumina rod in the center slot only, alternately tightening and loosening the mounting screws by small amounts.

Shipping Notes
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Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
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SKU: 45676913153

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Fred Haseman
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
A must have for dogs.
Style: Classic + 2pk Ball, Size: 26in
This has provided hours of entertainment for our dog. The Length was perfect and saves a lot wear on your back from not having to bend over as much.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2026
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Rachel
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Best dog throwing toy
Style: Classic + 2pk Ball, Size: 26in
Probably one of the best purchases I have made! The balls are far superior to any tennis ball. My dog likes to chew or bite down on the balls once she catches them and tennis balls ball apart. As to the actual thrower - the extra length on this one has helped me, I had back surgery and am not able to bend over I can reach the ball without too much difficulty. So to sum it up - best dog throwing toy I have purchase!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2026
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Lorraine Nathanson
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 5
Colorful, Sturdy & Great Value
Color: Large Set of 4
Purchased for our two puppies when they were 2 months old and weighed about 14 pounds so theses balls were a little big for them to hold in their mouths but that didn't stop them from trying. While they did like these balls they much preferred softer soccer balls, the later of which did not hold up well at all. I had hoped they would play with these balls more when they were older but that hasn't happened 5 months later. I guess it's no fun if you can't tear the toy apart. Colors are very bright and they do enjoy chasing after them as long as I am the one rolling them across the room for them. Maybe when they progress to batting things with their paws they will start to do this for themselves.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2025
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Erik
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
My pup loves them
Color: Large Set of 4
Colors are bright and my dog loves the squeaky! Good size no worries of choking.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2025
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Mary Freeman
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
amazing
Color: Large Set of 4
good buy worked well
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Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2026

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