Soundsmith - Hyperion vs lyra ETNA

Karl, any experience with EMT? I have heard the Alas a few times and it’s either perfect or too sharp and on the verge of thin in the upper register. With Vandersteens it was perfect.   Etna just losses that. And perhaps you’re  right, the Atlas is very realistic. The new SpundSmith cactus cantilever sounds really integral and interesting. 

I went with Hyperion over Atlas because it was equally detailed, more musical and a lot more practical in terms of warranty, service etc.  The Atlas is an awesome cartridge, but on my system it was a bit too high strung.  My system:  cj: ART150 (recent upgrade from ARTsa, which was the amp at the time of the cartridge decision), GAT2, TEA1 ser.3. Speakers are Sony SS-AR2, turntable is a SL1200GAE.  I also have a heavily modded VPI Prime.

I have only listened to EMT outside my home so I can't tell you what kind of changes to expect compared to a Lyra or SoundSmith.   I do have the perspective of breaking a Lyra Delos. So what Bill says above is an excellent point about MI versus MC.  Much cheaper to repair the SoundSmith cart, plus at this level, should you ever need it repaired, Peter Ledermann will do it himself.

I'm interested in perspectives here as well. Currently using a Soundsmith MIMC Star in a VPI 3D-10 Gimbal. Love it but been wondering about a few things as I contemplate whether to upgrade.

Thing 1: Wondering how the new ES series Soundsmiths improve upon the prior versions (I purchased my MIMC Star just before they changed the cartridge body to the ES type).

Thing 2: Wondering what happens when you go from the MIMC Star to the Sussuro. 

Thing 3: I've been looking hard at the EMT line after hearing from several folks I trust that the EMTs fly under the radar but provide a very engaging presentation. I'm looking at the JSD 6 or JSD Pure Black (formerly the JSD 75th Anniversary). Heck, I might even try an HSD 006 just to experience the flavor. 

Please chime in as you are able......

@karl_desch 
I also have a broken Lyra Helicon setting in a shelf because it was going to be 1700 and 6 months to rebuild it. 
@dodgealum 
I own the emt 6.0 I dont know how to explain it. I can best compare to Harbeth speakers. They tell me the same things. Very clear and yet British, but I would not call it warm. Honest dynamics.
I got to hear it back to back against an Etna. The first 5 mins the Etna beat it in every way. It was more dynamic more clear more wow, but after that 5 min I wanted the EMT back. Maybe a part of that was 3k I would save. I was just enjoying myself just a little bit more with the EMT. via this thread I have it down to the EMT platinum and the SoundSmith. I just dont know what you get and lose between the 2.