[Spirit]

I don't endorse gear as a rule but I wanted to give you my opinion on this astonishing cartridge that I just had installed last night.  Let me state upfront that I have no relationship at all with the manufacturer.
I replaced a Sumiko Blackbird with this Soundsmith cart and let me exclaim that the difference is incredible.  The Blackbird is a very solid performer but the Soundsmith has placed a massive smile on my face. This sucker is a completely different timezone!!
What do I hear:
1:  Silky smooth tonality with no edge or sibilent properties at all.
2:  Soundstage and depth; wide and  deep as anything I have ever had in my system
3:  Jaw dropping bass with total control
4:  Total coherent presentation at all volume levels
5:  ....and above all sheer MUSIC!!!
....and the cartridge is all of one hour into its life!
And one more thing - it is a peasure to be able to buy a hand crafted piece of audio magic that is built in North America.  I met Peter Ledermann, the owner and designer of Soundsmith, at RMAF. His room was one of the best sounding rooms at the show. He speaks of audio with such passion and experience. He builds each one of these cartridges by hand and I am overwhelmed by what I am hearing!!

[jsaliga]

I have never tried one of their cartridges but Soundsmith has a very solid reputation and people who buy from them rave about their performance.  Glad to see they have another happy customer.

--Jerome

[bluemike]

Good choice on the new cart what tonearm are you using it with ?

[vinyl_guy]

I replaced a Sumiko Blackbird with this Soundsmith cart and let me exclaim that the difference is incredible.  The Blackbird is a very solid performer but the Soundsmith has placed a massive smile on my face. This sucker is a completely different timezone!!

Spirit,

I am currently using a Blackbird and agree with you that it is a very solid performer. I bought the Blackbird to use with a Pro-ject Perspective Carbon TT and Tone arm. I recently upgraded my TT & arm to an SME 20/2 with the Series IV.Vi tonearm. I am still using the Blackbird, but want to upgrade to a stronger performer that is more in line with the performance the SME delivers. The Soundsmith Voice is on my short list and I liked what I heard at RMAF. Did you get the acrylic or ebony body? What tonearm and TT are you using?

Thanks,

Laura

[lonewolfny42]

Hey Sam...

Looks like some good reviews.....

[Spirit]

Good choice on the new cart what tonearm are you using it with ?

Hey Bluemike - what's up in Woodbridge?
Tonearm: Rega RB300 with Origin Live rewire and counterweight.
Not the best choice for this cartridge and not the easist to optimize performance because of the its limitation of adjustments.  But, when you have an expert like John from My Kind of Music do the installation, the combo really sings. I can only dream what a top-tier arm will accomplish.
After John did the install and we fired up the table, we both sat, listened and then stared at each other in total awe.

[Spirit]

I replaced a Sumiko Blackbird with this Soundsmith cart and let me exclaim that the difference is incredible.  The Blackbird is a very solid performer but the Soundsmith has placed a massive smile on my face. This sucker is a completely different timezone!!

Spirit,

I am currently using a Blackbird and agree with you that it is a very solid performer. I bought the Blackbird to use with a Pro-ject Perspective Carbon TT and Tone arm. I recently upgraded my TT & arm to an SME 20/2 with the Series IV.Vi tonearm. I am still using the Blackbird, but want to upgrade to a stronger performer that is more in line with the performance the SME delivers. The Soundsmith Voice is on my short list and I liked what I heard at RMAF. Did you get the acrylic or ebony body? What tonearm and TT are you using?

Thanks,

Laura

Hi Laura!  It was great meeting you at RMAF - you are a breath of fresh air to the audio hobby!
I bought the Ebony version.
Here is my analog setup:
Ariston RD11s - circa 1978
Tonearm: Rega RB300 with Origin Live rewire and counterweight
Origin Live Speed box with DC motor and upgraded power supply.
Wright Sound Phono Preamp - Signature Series

Please take my opinion for what it's worth - it's strictly an opinion, but the MUSICAL differnece between the 2 carts is not subtle.

[Spirit]

Hey Sam...

Looks like some good reviews.....

Thanks Chris - yes, I have read them all and they are quite impressive.

[poseidonsvoice]

FWIW, there is no other cartridge company I would deal with except for Peter Ledermann at SoundSmith. His Aida cartridge which is at a competitive price of ~ $800 is one step down and I have heard is incredible as well. No Benz, Shelters, Lyra, etc...for me.

Definitely a company to look at 

Anand.

[Spirit]

FWIW, there is no other cartridge company I would deal with except for Peter Ledermann at SoundSmith. His Aida cartridge which is at a competitive price of ~ $800 is one step down and I have heard is incredible as well. No Benz, Shelters, Lyra, etc...for me.

Definitely a company to look at 
Anand.

I couldn't agree with you more!  Peter is very experienced and cut his teeth is the business as an engineer with icons like Rudy Bozak and Richard Majestic.  I tend to buy gear from smaller companies like Soundsmith, because I gain confidence in their products due to the fact that I can actually converse with the actual designer of the product - Peter and I had a few very inofrmative discussions.  When he explains the science of the cartridge, you know that he has transferred his knowledge into the cart.

[bluemike]

Good choice on the new cart what tonearm are you using it with ?

Hey Bluemike - what's up in Woodbridge?
Tonearm: Rega RB300 with Origin Live rewire and counterweight.
Not the best choice for this cartridge and not the easist to optimize performance because of the its limitation of adjustments.  But, when you have an expert like John from My Kind of Music do the installation, the combo really sings. I can only dream what a top-tier arm will accomplish.
After John did the install and we fired up the table, we both sat, listened and then stared at each other in total awe.

Sounds good - i'm up for a cart upgrade when a bit of disposable cash comes my way
Give me a shout/e mail me and we can discuss what we spoke about the last time

Cheers
Pat

[WGH]

Michael Fremer reviews the The Voice in this months Stereophile (Nov 2009), here are some quotes:

"Overall, The Voice sounded somewhat faster and better focused than the already ridiculously good SMMC1 and, for whatever reason(s), even cleaner and more explosive"

"Do read my review of the SMMC1, because The Voice is even better: cleaner, smoother, more transparent, and seemingly free of peaks and valleys in the frequency response."

[vinyl_guy]

Hi Laura!  It was great meeting you at RMAF - you are a breath of fresh air to the audio hobby!

Thanks Sam. I enjoyed meeting you as well and appreciate your kind comments. I have enjoyed this hobby for 40+ years and have met a lot of really nice a super folks--including you.

I appreciate your opinion on the cartridge. I read the reviews including Michael Fremer's new review and his comments are right in line with yours.

Was the cartridge pretty easy to install, set up and align? I will be on my own since we lack a high end audio shop in the Spokane area.

thanks again,

Laura

[Spirit]

Hi Laura!  It was great meeting you at RMAF - you are a breath of fresh air to the audio hobby!

Thanks Sam. I enjoyed meeting you as well and appreciate your kind comments. I have enjoyed this hobby for 40+ years and have met a lot of really nice a super folks--including you.

I appreciate your opinion on the cartridge. I read the reviews including Michael Fremer's new review and his comments are right in line with yours.

Was the cartridge pretty easy to install, set up and align? I will be on my own since we lack a high end audio shop in the Spokane area.

thanks again,

Laura

Hi Laura
I didn't install the cart myself.  I had a good friend here in Toronto do it for me.  He is the expert.
I watched him do it with his Feickert Analogue Tool.  I don't think anyone can beat that device.  If you can get hold of one or buy one, it will make the task a lot easier.
Hope this helps