Question on Soundsmith carts

@kro77  Yup, all because of the higher output. Peter only makes low output cartridges to suit the market. He told me this himself. If people didn't want to use their expensive phono stages and were not fixated on low output cartridges he would not make them. Lower output has benefit for MC cartridges but absolutely none for MI cartridges. The coils and magnets are not part of the moving system. I did not ask him why he did not make a high output Hyperion. My guess is that the high output club would not pay that much for a cartridge.

Something to be said on knowing your audience, maybe the voice is the way to go instead.

Looking at the Weigh it is super low at 6.8 grams...

you gave me alot to think about here.  Really appreciate it.

The Soundsmith MK ii models with the DEMS alumina mounting rods and a non-"boxy" body are supposed the have lower internal resonances.If you have a tonearm with does not permit azimuth adjustment, using the middle alumina rod allows some adjustment and would be an advantage.When I bought my Aida, I chose the older model at a big discount because my Graham 2.2 had an elastomer pad under the cartridge mount and is fully adjustable for azimuth. I don't know if the new body contributes to lesser resonances, but I preferrred the looks of the older model, and certainly the price. I do not believe the moving parts of the models are different.

Interestingly enough I asked much the same question a couple of years ago and SoundSmith steered me toward the previous generation Experion, which at the time was being phased out in favor of the new updated design.  The differences were subtle as it was explained to me.  I saved a bundle of dough.  Subsequently I have been able to compare the two and feel that the differences are indeed very subtle between the older Experion and the current version.  For sure SoundSmith provided honest and accurate advice to me.  This is a great company.