Carmen mkII vs Otello
The Otello's tracking force is 1.5 g against the Carmen mkII's 1.4 g and its channel separation 24 dB against 26 dB. Both share output (2.1 mV) and compliance (22 cu).
AI-generated product photo — not official manufacturer imagery.
Carmen mkII
SoundsmithAnalogCartridges
Estimated price (community-sourced)
$600 - $925
Around — community and catalog average, updates slowly
About the Carmen mkII
The Soundsmith Carmen mkII is a high-output moving iron phono cartridge designed to deliver exceptional performance at an accessible price. Crafted with a focus on tonal purity and ultra-smooth presentation, it features a hyper-elliptical nude diamond stylus mounted on an aluminum alloy cantilever. The cartridge is housed in a handmade solid ebony body, contributing to its rich, slightly lush midrange and wide soundstage. With an output of 2.12 mV and a medium compliance of 22 µm/mN, the Carmen mkII is compatible with a broad range of tonearms and works well with most moving magnet (MM) phono preamps. Its low tip mass and fixed coil design provide a resolution advantage over many moving coil cartridges at higher price points. The Carmen mkII is made in the USA and comes with a 2-year warranty for the original owner.
Specifications
Cartridge
Phono cartridge specifications
- Cartridge Type
- MM
- Output Voltage
- 2.1 mV
- Tracking Force
- 1.4 g
- Stylus Type
- elliptical
- Stylus Size
- 0.12 µm
- Compliance
- 22 cu
- Channel Separation
- 26 dB
- Impedance
- 680Ω
- Inductance
- 190 mH
Physical Dimensions
Size, weight, and appearance
- Weight
- 0.0092 kg (0 lbs)
- Available Colors
- Solid ebony
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions