SOUNDSMITH ZEPHYR MKIII

The Soundsmith Zephyr MKIII represents a significant evolution in the world of fixed-coil cartridges, blending reference-grade performance with high output and low compliance, making it fully compatible with MM phono stages. Instantly recognized for its exceptional sonic qualities, this cartridge exemplifies Soundsmith’s commitment to repairability and sustainability: when the stylus wears out, the entire cartridge can be fully rebuilt multiple times for around 20% of the original price—an investment that proves to be both durable and cost-effective in the long run.

Building upon the legacy of its predecessors—from the original VPI Zephyr to the highly regarded Zephyr MKII—the new MKIII further refines clarity and detail without increasing the cost. This achievement is made possible by the introduction of a specially developed aluminum alloy, engineered to deliver an exceptionally smooth and uncolored frequency response. This alloy offers a unique dual characteristic: stiffness where required and targeted damping precisely where it matters most, ensuring dynamic, coherent, and detailed music tracking.

The stylus is a newly designed ultra-low-mass High Profile Contact Line nude diamond, mounted on an advanced aluminum alloy cantilever. This combination allows precise tracking even at high frequencies and dramatically reduces inner groove distortion while being more forgiving in terms of alignment than more demanding stylus profiles like the OCL. The result is a more natural, musical, and less fatiguing listening experience.

What further elevates the Zephyr MKIII is the implementation of DEMS (Dynamic Energy Management System) technology, directly inherited from Soundsmith’s top-tier models such as the acclaimed Sussurro. This energy control system manages and disperses internal resonances within the cartridge body, enhancing both clarity and sonic consistency. In synergy with the composite body construction, the DEMS design allows the Zephyr MKIII to deliver outstanding channel separation and soundstage imaging that far surpass expectations in its price category.

The listening experience is immersive and revealing: every detail is rendered with greater precision, each instrument gains a more three-dimensional presence, and musical passages unfold with captivating depth. Whether reproducing energetic rock or intricate classical pieces, the Zephyr MKIII delivers the full musical spectrum with balance, dynamic range, and elegance. It's not uncommon to feel as though you’re rediscovering your entire vinyl collection.

Technical Specifications:

• Type: Fixed Coil / Moving Iron
• Mount: Standard ½”
• Cartridge Height: 0.675” without alumina inserts (top to stylus tip); +0.010” with two half-round alumina pieces for ground isolation; 0.733” with full round center slot alumina (for azimuth adjustment if arm does not support it)
• Stylus: Contact Line, nude, 0.10 mm²; Ultra Low Mass Nude High Profile Contact Line
• Radius of Curvature: 6 x 17 µm
• Cantilever: new Soundsmith aluminum alloy
• Recommended Tracking Force: 1.8 - 2.2 g
• Effective Tip Mass: 0.28 mg
• Compliance: 10 µm/mN
• Frequency Response: 15 - 45,000 Hz ± 2.0 dB
• Channel Separation @ 1000 Hz: > 28 dB; N/A (Mono version)
• Channel Separation @ 50 - 15,000 Hz: > 25 dB; N/A (Mono version)
• Channel Difference: < 1.0 dB; < 0.5 dB (Dual Mono with optimal VTF setting)
• Output Voltage @ 5 cm/sec: > 2.40 mV (high output)
• DC Resistance (DCR): 680 Ω
• Coil Inductance per Channel: 190 mH
• Suggested Preamp Gain: 38 - 44 dB
• Cartridge Weight: 12.2 g (ES series)
• Recommended Load Resistance: ≥ 47 kΩ