Break-in periods for Soundsmith cartridges

We are often asked about break-in periods for Soundsmith cartridges.

This is an interesting subject, especially when compared to MC and MM designs. Folklore has it that during break-in one experiences a change in sound as a result of a “softening” of the suspension components and a “burnishing” of the diamond. While these are true to a very small degree, it is by no means what is going on. What is in fact happening is the diamond is ROTATING to conform to the record groove due to misalignment at installation. Azimuth, or clock rotation of the diamond as viewed from the front, to fit the groove.  

One of the flaws of MC designs is a single point - central wire suspension which allows the voltage generating armature at the back of the cantilever to rotate. This is both bad and good. Good because it allows the cartridge to acquire correct azimuth over time after poor azimuth installation OR poor diamond alignment at the time of manufacture. Bad, because it is a common weak point for MC designs.  Improper anti-skating will rotate the diamond azimuth out of position, sometimes in a very few number of hours of use, resulting in poor performance due to improper seating of the diamond in the groove. One good accident will also result in the same - or  permanent destruction of the cartridge.

It is one of the many, many reasons Soundsmith does not make MC cartridges. Our fixed coil designs have a tiny moving iron element which is bonded and suspended over most of its surface and CANNOT ROTATE out of position. This makes Soundsmith FC designs far more durable than MC designs, and almost impossible to have them go out of alignment due to skating forces, or the eventual accidental mishandling.  From a “Break-in” standpoint, it means that once you align it correctly at installation, it will not rotate out of alignment over the life of the cartridge.  

The result? Far, far less break-in time required, and a far more durable design over the long term.