SKU: 45676913153

Soundsmith Carmen MKII Turntable Cartridge

Sale price$828.00 Regular price$920.00
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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
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
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  • Delivery to the USA:
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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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Frequent Customer
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
I like these fleece-lined pants
Color: Black, Size: 32W x 32L
For these specific pants, the 32" inseam is accurate and fits as expected. The fleece lining was great in high 40's and did not feel too warm when the temp climbed into the 60's. I was impressed enough to buy a second pair. They appear to be well made and look great.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2026
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Kevin Ervin
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect. Warmth without bulk
Color: Grey, Size: 34W x 30L
Perfect thickness and insulation level. Warmth without bulk. Stylish and do a good job disguising what they are. Cut is similar to "regular" or "straight" cut jeans. Will be ordering other colors...
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Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2026
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nj_captiva
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 4
Nice and warm
Color: Khaki, Size: 32W x 32L
My husband LOVES these pants for cold weather. They look nice and were very comfortable. It would be nice if they came in longer lengths.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2026
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Cam's Dad
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Love these!
Color: Dark Grey, Size: 32W x 30L
As many previous reviews state these pants are incredibly comfortable. They are very warm. They wash up well. We’ll see how they last but my initial impressions are very good on these pants. I will order more color because I have to wear a nice pants for work, but I’m outside alive and they fit the Bill by not looking like trek pants or hiking pants. For reference I’m 5’5” and weigh about 150lbs. I ordered 32x30 and love the fit. I’ve ordered other colors because I like them so much.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2026
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Amazon Customer
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Dry and warm
Color: Dark Khaki, Size: 32W x 32L
Perfect! Good fit, keeps me dry and warm while golfing.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2025

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