FS: Soundsmith Zephyr MkIII phono cartridge -- CHEAP!! (***SOLD***)

[toobluvr]

Retip candidate, cleaning accident ==> snapped off cantilever.  My clumsiness is your gain.

Asking $250, shipped.  PP friends/family accepted, otherwise add 3%.  Includes the original wooden shipping box and mounting screws.  Remember, I'm paying shipping so please don't low-ball.

Send it to Soundsmith for a complete $300 rebuild and own a great brand new cartridge for less than $600.  Or use one of the other reliable retip services for possibly even less.  If you like I can ship directly to retipper.

https://sound-smith.com/cartridges/fixed-coil/zephyr-mk-iii

Review:

"I was completely blown away when the new Soundsmith Zephyr Mk III ($1500 USD) humbled my favored Ortofon & Intact Audio SUT combo so significantly, both musically & sonically, and at about one-third their combined price, to deliver the most alluring live-like musical presentation I've ever heard from my Westminster Royal SE loudspeakers.
I love the way that Peter has voiced the new Zephyr Mk III phonograph cartridge. The Zephyr Mk III is naturally warm, remarkably musical, sonically excellent, exhibits a vivid musical presence, is dynamically superb, is tonally beautiful, resolve lots of meaningful musical & sonic nuance, exudes a high quality of construction, and is very affordable to rebuild so you can enjoy their charms for the long haul."

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/new-soundsmith-zephyr-mk-iii-phonograph-cartridge/

Actual cart I bought:

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649482551-soundsmith-zephir-mk-iii-less-than-30-hours/

[tmazz]

You're killing me. I just bought that Carmen a few months ago or I would have been all over this like ants at a picnic. 

What are you replacing it with?

[toobluvr]

You're killing me. I just bought that Carmen a few months ago or I would have been all over this like ants at a picnic. 

What are you replacing it with?

Time for an upgrade?       

I have a few carts I rotate thru -- Cartridge Man Music Maker 3 (SS re-tip), Dynavector XX2-Mk2, Shelter 501 mk2 (SS retip) --  so I don't feel compelled to rush out and buy a replacement.  Unless there's another cleaning accident!   

IMO, the Music Maker is a way under-appreciated cart that flies under the radar in these parts.  It always draws me into the music.

[tmazz]

No need to buy anything with what you have on hand. Looks like you have a few nice ones to choose from.

[toobluvr]

Sold.

[S Clark]

Sold.

Thank goodness.  It was calling to me and I don't need another cartridge... but I could have bought another one anyway.