SKU: 12764559484

Soundsmith Aida MKII Turntable Cartridge

Sale price$1647.00 Regular price$1830.00
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Description

Soundsmith Aida MKII Turntable CartridgeAIDA MKII A triumph of Soundsmith Engineering, Stereophile Class A rated, a rarity at its price point and for good reasons. The Aida MKII employs a laser drilled Sapphire cantilever with ultra low mass Contact Line stylus; we did this to resolve the challenges of playing the inner grooves with the same level of confidence as the outer. How did we do this? The unique stylus shape of our CL stylus has a sharper playing surface on the faceted diamond,

AIDA MKII

A triumph of Soundsmith Engineering, Stereophile Class “A” rated, a rarity at its price point – and for good reasons.

The Aida MKII employs a laser drilled Sapphire cantilever with ultra-low mass Contact Line stylus; we did this to resolve the challenges of playing the inner grooves with the same level of confidence as the outer. How did we do this? The unique stylus shape of our CL stylus has a “sharper” playing surface on the faceted diamond, allowing it to ride easily into the groove modulations of even the most difficult passages and high frequency information that other cartridges simply cannot trace. The result — a truly superb cartridge, surpassing top MC designs with air, focus and sound staging no cartridge at this price should be able to achieve.

The Aida cartridge is a Stereophile A-rated cartridge, meaning it is in the "price is no object" category and was the cheapest cartridge there.

Soundsmith carefully hand-builds every cartridge, tests them, and keeps accurate records by serial number of their performance. Those that meet or exceed specifications are sold, and the ones that don't are broken down and recycled. 

Soundsmith took moving iron technology and perfected it. This design offers lower effective moving mass, causing the stylus to stay in better contact with the groove walls. High-gain moving coil preamps are not required, as the Aida is designed to be used with a moving magnet preamp.

New EM Series DEMS Design

What is DEMS??

“Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover.” – Peter Ledermann.

2018’s RMAF show was the official launch of Soundsmith’s new ES series of cartridges, where the attendees experienced the latest exploration into overlooked areas of cartridge design and solutions from Soundsmith.

The ES line features not only a dramatic new look, but is a significant evolution of the DEMS system design (Dynamic Energy Management System). The new Soundsmith ES cartridge designs are a significant advancement in cartridge performance due to their ability to direct internal vibrational forces without reflection and disperse them properly to the tone arm. The absence of reflections enables the stylus to stay in far greater statistical contact with the groove walls — a critically important technical refinement. Increased liquidity and reduced “grain,” without loss of detail are some of the immediately discernible advantages of Soundsmith’s new ES models.

The new line also features Azimuth adjustment built-in to each cartridge, as well as the option for electrical isolation for hum-prone systems. (see picture below)

Every cartridge in Soundsmith’s lineup will now feature our sleek new ES body design. The upgrade is far more than cosmetic; the new shape is a departure from the reflective and “boxy” design of many cartridges whose internal construction contribute to uncontrolled vibrational issues adversely affecting performance. Peter says, “Think of how singing in an open field compares with singing in a shower.” Soundsmith has always challenged conventions, looking deeper into nuances of cartridge design that dramatically affect immediate and long term performance. These have included extreme reductions of moving mass and the use of novel materials and designs. The new ES lineup is a continuation of that research and development.

ES Series Mounting

The new ES has some special mounting features that you need to be aware of.

Sometimes when mounting on a grounded metal arm, a cartridge will create hum due to a ground loop. If you experience some low level hum due to ground loop, you can now solve this issue by using the two half-round white rods which are to be placed and used in the OUTER slots, seen on the top of the cartridge. Place them flat side UP.

The rods are made of Alumina, and are insulating, thus allowing ground isolation for your cartridge without compromising the crucial mechanical energy transfer into the tone arm. This energy transfer is maintained due to the use of Alumina, which has the same properties as aluminum, but is non-conductive. Due to the novel body design of the ES cartridge, electrical isolation can still be maintained even though you may use metal screws.

On tone arms that do not allow azimuth adjustment, it is now possible to achieve this adjustment by way of the ES series by using the one full round alumina rod in the center slot only, alternately tightening and loosening the mounting screws by small amounts.

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
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Exchange/Return Notes
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  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
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SKU: 12764559484

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Drug Waitress, RN
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
I hate sunscreens, but...
Style: Kids SPF 50, Size: 3 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
I hate sunscreen in general--for it's texture and smell. But, being the palest family on Earth makes it a daily necessity. I was pleasantly surprised to actually like the smell of this product! It's a light fruity fragrance. It has a smooth texture like lotion and glided on my skin without being too thick or greasy and no white marks. A little goes a long way too! I could hardly believe I was putting on sunscreen and not regular body lotion. My kids had no issue with it either! They let me put this stuff on their little faces without complaint since it goes on so smoothly. Most importantly, this product did it's job and we were sunburn free. The tube is small--4 ounces--but I don't care because it's so worth having something that goes on easy and doesn't make us greasy and stinky. I bought several tubes--one for each member of the family. *If this review was helpful, please click 'yes' below. Thanks!*
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2018
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Jill W
New York, US
★★★★★ 4
It’s ok
Style: Kids SPF 50, Size: 3 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Doesn’t smell like anything, especially not fruit. Seems to work well- it’s what we use on our faces. I started using this all over on my daughter because their spray version is not good.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2019
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Verified Purchase
Cosmos1
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Overall this is a very good product
Style: Kids SPF 50, Size: 3 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
I bought this because every sunblock I own eventually gets in my eyes and burns the living daylights out of them. I prefer to use something that isn't laden with chemicals, is cruelty free and reef safe so this looked like it would fit the bill and indeed, it does. It is a true "no tears" formula which I very much appreciate. As with so many zinc based sunblocks there's still a slight "Kabuki mask" effect but it isn't as bad as some of the other zinc products. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's easy to spread because it doesn't have a lot of "slip", doesn't glide like the non-zinc products. You do have to work with it for awhile to get rid of the decidedly chalky consistency but once you get going it seems to be okay. I think somebody else mentioned using a moisturizer before you put it on which seems like good idea even though this is supposed to be moisturizing. Would I purchase this again? I'm pretty sure I will because the "no tears" aspect of the product is important to me. I'll probably use it with a light carrier oil on my face first, let that oil sink in and then put this on top. I'll keep you posted on how that works out. Thank you, Alba Botanica, for being cruelty free and reef safe!
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Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2020
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SK22
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
Thank you for making this
Style: Kids SPF 50, Size: 3 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
I have the most sensitive reactive skin. I regularly will breakout to products that are supposed to be hypoallergenic and non-clogging. I have used this product multiple times and have not had one issue. I also burn in literally 2 mins and I live in Las Vegas. This protected me and my skin did not react. It absorbed in like regularly lotion not leaving any white cast or sticky feeling. There was no scent which is SO important. I wore it only in the sun not swimming so I cannot comment on how well it works under those conditions. I will by this again without hesitation. If you are in need of a high quality sun protector and have skin like a baby or you are a baby this is the best.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2026
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Verified Purchase
Winta
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Love
Style: Kids SPF 50, Size: 3 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
It’s nice I love it both me and my daughter we use it it don’t make you white it don’t stick it’s not greasy I love it
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Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2026

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