Soundsmith Aida MKII Cartridge

Soundsmith Aida MKII Cartridge Delivers Precision with Advanced Cantilever Technology

The Soundsmith Aida MKII Cartridge is a pinnacle in cartridge engineering, bringing together high-end components and breakthrough design for audiophiles seeking unrivalled sound clarity and immersive listening. Stereophile Class “A” rated, this cartridge features a sapphire laser-drilled cantilever and a high-precision Contact Line nude diamond stylus that meticulously traces inner and outer grooves alike, delivering high-frequency details and crystal-clear audio reproduction. Its design maximises audio quality, capturing every nuance in the vinyl groove with unmatched finesse and stability, often outpacing competing moving coil designs.

Unique Stylus Geometry Enhances Tracking Precision

The Aida MKII Cartridge features an ultra-low mass Contact Line stylus, purpose-built to maintain fidelity across complex grooves and intricate high-frequency details. This stylus is crafted with a precisely faceted diamond, enabling it to maintain an optimal positioning within groove modulations. The result is seamless tracking from the beginning to the end of each record, overcoming the common limitations found in inner groove playback with exceptional soundstage clarity, warmth, and detail.

Dual Coil Mono Option and Flexible Mounting

For those interested in mono vinyl, the Aida MKII is available with a dual-coil mono option that delivers a true mono experience, enhancing tonal depth and channel stability. This configuration is particularly suited for dedicated mono recordings and is available at an additional cost. The cartridge employs a standard ½” mount and features options for alumina inserts, allowing audiophiles to fine-tune azimuth adjustments even in tonearms lacking this capability.

Optimised Output and Compatibility for Versatile Systems

With a high output voltage of >2.12 mV, the Soundsmith Aida MKII is optimised for a broad range of phono preamps, requiring only a moderate gain of 38–44 dB, ideal for seamless integration with most systems. Its compliance rating is adaptable, with medium (22 µm/mN) and high-compliance (28 µm/mN) configurations available for customisation to different tonearm setups. The cartridge’s effective tip mass of 0.30 mg and recommended tracking force range of 1.3–1.6 g ensure a balanced, nuanced audio experience across a wide frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Durable and Stable Build with Sapphire Cantilever

A sapphire cantilever underpins the Soundsmith Aida MKII’s impressive stability and audio clarity, laser-drilled for precise stylus mounting that enhances durability and vibration handling. This component choice adds remarkable resilience to the cartridge, maintaining structural integrity even through extensive playback sessions, making it a suitable choice for both personal and professional settings where consistent performance is crucial.

Technical Specifications At-a-Glance

• Stylus: Contact Line, nude diamond, 0.10 mm square
• Cantilever: Sapphire, laser-drilled for precision
• Output Voltage: > 2.12 mV at 5 cm/sec
• Compliance: Medium: 22 µm/mN; High: 28 µm/mN (special order)
• Frequency Response: 20–20,000 Hz ± 2.5 dB
• Channel Separation: > 30 dB at 1 kHz, > 20 dB at 50–15,000 Hz
• Load Resistance: ≥ 47 kΩ
• Weight: 9.20 g