Soundsmith Otello ES Moving Iron Cartridge Reviews

5 Rating 8 Reviews

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Phone:

909.931.9686

Email:

joel.m@upscaleaudio.com

Location:

2058 Wright Avenue,
2058 Wright Avenue
California
91750

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Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

Thomas Schuerman

Unverified Reviewer

“Warm, clear and excellent channel separation. First foray into moving iron has been a success. It replaced a AT 740, AT 540 and Grado Green that accompanied my VPI. They are all solid but this one is better at all. The fact that these can be rebuilt for a fraction of original cost makes the decision an easy one for me.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“Friggen love this cartridge for the money! Slightly warm and just what I want to listen to when drinking a cup of hot chocolate”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

William Martin

Verified Reviewer

“I have bounced back and forth between MM and MC carts for a while. I dipped my toes in the MI pool with this SS Otello cartridge. I swapped out my Sumiko Blackbird with this gem and was pretty surprised. The more I listen to it, the more I dig it. Great soundstage, depth, and clarity. Setup was a breeze and looks very well built. I can definitely see myself moving up the Soundsmith line down the road. For now, this one’s a keeper! Upscale has an awesome selection! (Setup on a VPI Super Prime Scout, Pathos Phono Stage, Prima Luna Amp)”

2 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“Seriously impressive cartridge. exceptional detail. separation. soundstage and musicality. I replaced an Ortofon 2M Black with this cartridge and I think this Soundstage is superior in every way.”

3 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

Mike Allison

Verified Reviewer

“For entry level it sounds great”

Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

“After owning Shure, Dynavector, Grado (& some others) cartridges over several decades I'd settled into wood-body Grados. Although lush, detailed and forgiving of poor recordings they seemed muted at higher frequencies: an Ortofon 2M Bronze was suggested. The 2M Bronze sounded open, detailed and the highs were restored, but at the cost of harshness on poor recordings even when used with an adjustable phonostage. The Otello ES was considered but I was undecided; Kat strongly recommended it - Thanks, Kat. It was easy to install and set up, tracks wonderfully, the body design makes cueing up simple and is a fantastic sounding cartridge. I'm regularly hearing new details from records 40 to 60 years old including mono LPs, 45s and even 78 rpm.”

4 Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

Jonathan Blake

Verified Reviewer

“Big improvement over what I had, at only a $400.00 I am wondering if I spent more? I like it allot maybe some day”

Helpful Report

Posted 6 years ago