Soundsmith Paua mk II Hand-Made Low-Output Cartridge
Best high-end cartridge for audiophiles seeking warmth and long-term value.
Experience sublime analog audio with this meticulously handcrafted low-output cartridge. It features a newly developed aluminum alloy cantilever for critical damping and stiffness, imparting warmth and smoothness to your music. The ultra-low moving mass, combined with a highly polished nude Contact Line stylus, ensures exceptional detail retrieval and impressive channel separation. Designed for longevity and enduring value, this high-performance component is fully rebuildable, making it a lasting investment for discerning audiophiles.
$3800.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
7
/ 1996
#7 in Turntable Accessories
Price vs Category Average
+130%
Above average
Material
Aluminum alloy
/ Aluminum alloy
Who it's for
- Audiophiles seeking immersive, holographic soundscapes and micro-detail resolution
- Long-term owners wanting a sustainable, cost-effective investment
- Listeners who prioritize natural, neutral, and fatigue-free musical reproduction
Who should skip it
- Owners lacking high-gain, low-noise phono amplification equipment
- Budget-conscious buyers looking for entry-level or mid-range components
- Casual users who prefer a simple, plug-and-play setup experience
Performance breakdown
Detail Retrieval
The nude Contact Line stylus extracts microscopic nuances from every record groove.
Sonic Character
Delivers a signature warmth that balances clinical precision with natural musicality.
Channel Separation
Exceptional imaging creates a wide, immersive soundstage for complex orchestral arrangements.
Build Longevity
Fully rebuildable design ensures this cartridge remains a permanent high-end fixture.
Tracking Precision
Ultra-low moving mass allows for effortless navigation of challenging high-frequency passages.
Mechanical Damping
Specialized alloy cantilever effectively minimizes resonance for a cleaner, tighter output.
Key Specs
Material
Aluminum alloy
Stylus Type
Highly polished low mass nude Contact Line
Cantilever
Specialized telescoping alloy
Maintenance
Fully rebuildable
MPN
PAUA MKII
Mounting Type
Standard 1/2 Inch
Stylus Shape
Fine Line
Accessory Type
Cartridge
Know before you buy
The Paua MKII is designed to balance high-end detail retrieval with a sense of warmth and smoothness. Thanks to its aluminum alloy cantilever and low-mass design, it excels at preserving delicate musical textures while maintaining a rich, natural presentation.
As a low-output moving iron cartridge, the Paua MKII requires a phono preamp capable of handling low-output signals. Ensure your phono stage or step-up transformer is compatible with the specific output voltage requirements of this model.
The nude Contact Line stylus provides a larger contact area with the record groove compared to standard elliptical shapes. This allows for superior tracking, reduced record wear, and significantly better retrieval of high-frequency information.
Unlike many cartridges that must be replaced entirely when the stylus wears out, the Paua MKII is designed to be serviced by Soundsmith. This allows you to restore the cartridge to factory specifications over time, protecting your long-term investment.
The Paua MKII uses a standard 1/2-inch mounting configuration, making it compatible with the vast majority of high-end tonearms. Always verify that your tonearm's effective mass is appropriate for the cartridge's compliance to ensure optimal tracking performance.
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