Zephyr MIMC STAR

  I am writing this while listening to Mahler Symphony #2 with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic on a German Pressing from Deutsche Grammophon.  It is the second time I have played this recording but the first time I have really heard it.

  My system is not high end.  I have Dynaco Mark III amps, Audio Research SP9 preamp, Large Advent speakers, and a 1989 Kuzma Stabi turntable.  I have been very pleased with the Dynavector 20x cartridge but it had a lot of hours and I felt it was no longer delivering all of the information.

  I researched for weeks and came across the revolutionary designs of Peter Ledermann of SoundSmith.  I read many reviews and decided on the Aida only to discover it does not have sufficient tracking force for the mass of the Stabi tonearm.

  I emailed SoundSmith for recommendations and after a couple of email exchanges on a Sunday morning, Peter called me to discuss cartridge solutions.  He (suggested the Zephyr MIMC Star.)

  I was intrigued but needed to do more research.  I read Michael Fremer’s wonderful review on Analog Planet but I think the review that made me take the plunge is that of Wojceich Pacuta on High Fidelity. Both speak to the low noise and incredible separation this cartridge delivers.

  The cartridge arrived this week and I installed it yesterday.

  It is STUNNING!  I have listened to several Analog Spark recordings including Sam Cooke, Fiddler on the Roof, and Louis Armstrong. I have also listened to Diana Krall’s newest recording and Gregg Allman Back to Macon.  This cartridge does not disappoint.

  The first thing that struck me was the lack of noise, no hum, no hissing, and no pops.  This cartridge has incredible separation and clarity across the entire range.  In Fiddler, you hear every distinct voice in very busy choral passages.  In Mahler, you hear every instrument.  In the jazz recordings you don’t miss a sound from the subtle brushes on the high hat to the deep driving bass.

  This cartridge has taken my system to a whole new level.  It is transparent with no extraneous noises and no listening fatigue.

  Thank you Peter.

Bill Osburn
Canton, MI