Aladdin Mk2 moving iron cartridge

Reviews on Aladdin Mk II

“Wholly impressive, that was the Origin Live Aladdin Mk.II. The combination of clarity and detail in the mids, the drive and energy around the lower frequencies but also the low noise and focus across the soundstage as whole was completely engaging and threatened to ruin my entire working day because it was tough to tear myself away from the music. “Hmmm, should I take a day off?” It was one of those reviews.” Read more >
Paul Rigby, The Audiophile Man

Description

The Aladdin MK II is manufactured by renowned cartridge manufacturer Soundsmith.  Not only is this cartridge exceptional in it’s performance but it follows the Soundsmith tradition of a high value investment with full restoration and stylus rebuilding at 20% of its price when renewal is required. This can be carried out many times over for you.

The Aladdin MK II enjoys a great heritage, starting with the well loved Zephyr original, which evolved into the well known Zephyr MKIII. In Soundsmith’s effort to bring even higher definition with high value for money, they’ve introduced the NEW Aladdin MK II. It features a newly developed aluminum alloy – the same one now used in the Soundsmith Paua MKII, just released. This new metal alloy has unique dualistic properties, providing stiffness in the ranges required as well as damping exactly where its needed – and by the proper amount – in the most critical parts of the sonic spectrum. The result  is a cartridge that will slam your Rock and Roll while providing a new level of linearity and clarity for the most complex classical and jazz passages.

Attached to the new cantilever material is a tiny new super low mass “High Profile” Contact Line diamond specially developed for a new generation of cartridges including the Aladdin MK II. This stylus traces more of the groove walls than a standard contact line, but avoids some of the alignment pitfalls that can occur with a high profile contact line design, allowing more azimuth alignment forgiveness than is normally possible with such designs.

These improvements are paired with technology borrowed from Soundsmith’s higher end line;  “Trickle Down” technology from a unique Dynamic Energy Management System  (DEMS) developed by Soundsmith that moves the damped energy and propagates it properly within the cartridge body. This is a similar system employ in the Soundsmith’s well received and reviewed high end Sussurro Cartridge.

The new Aladdin MK II is capable of truly remarkable separation and sound stage imaging at a level not previously achievable in a modestly priced design. The composite body and unique DEMS design work in tandem contribute to the Aladdin MK2’s ability to produce high-end performance from a moderately priced cartridge. Be prepared to sit back and realize……you may have never really  heard your record collection before.

The Aladdin MK II will provide a level of clarity and beauty that will make you take out your record collection and listen to it all over again.

Specifications

Type: Fixed Coil / Moving Iron
Mount: Standard ½”
Stylus: Ultra Low Mass Nude High Profile Contact Line
Radius of Curvature: 6 x 17 µm
Cantilever: New high strength 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 w/optimal VTF setting) Output Voltage @ 5cm/sec: • > 2.40 mV (HIGH)
DC Resistance (DCR): 680Ω
Coil Inductance per channel: 190 mH
Suggested Pre-amp Gain: 38 – 44 dB
Cartridge Weight: 10.25 g
Recommended Load Resistance: ≥ 47kΩ
Recommended Load Capacitance: n/a