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
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Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • 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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Mike Summers
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Great shoes
Size: 5 Big Kid, Color: Navy/Blue
Loved them but bought a size too small so had to buy another pair…my bad 🤦🏽‍♀️
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Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2026
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The Pacific Northwesterners
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 4
Comfortable and Easy to Wear Daily
Size: 2 Little Kid, Color: Navy/Blue
My daughter has been wearing these navy/blue shoes since the weather has been less rainy and more sunny. They are great for outdoor play, especially on days when it's warm outside. The knit mesh upper keeps her feet from overheating, and the cushioned insole feels supportive without being stiff. At size 2, the fit is accurate and the width runs a bit roomy, which gave her some growing room without feeling loose. The slip-on design with elastic laces and pull tabs is a real plus. She can get them on and off without any help, which she loves. The shoes are light enough that she barely notices them during long active days. My one small complaint is that the sole feels more like firm foam than rubber, so they can be a little slippery on smooth indoor floors. For the price, these deliver solid everyday value. They look good, hold up well to regular use, and my daughter reaches for them first most mornings. Pros: - Breathable mesh keeps feet cool - Easy slip-on design with elastic laces and pull tabs - Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear - Accurate sizing with a roomy width - Durable for the price Cons: - Sole can be slippery on hard smooth surfaces - Limited outsole grip compared to rubber-soled shoes
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Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2026
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DR
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Great kids' shoe — easy on, comfy all day
Size: 3 Little Kid, Color: Pink/Lavender
My kid has been wearing these for a few weeks now and I'm genuinely impressed with how well they've held up. The knit mesh upper keeps feet cool and comfortable during long days at school and outdoor play, and the cushioned EVA midsole does a great job absorbing impact. What really won me over is the slip-on design with elasticated laces and dual pull tabs — my child can put them on and take them off completely independently, which is a huge win. The fit is snug but not tight, and they run a bit roomy in width, which is great for kids with wider feet or those who need a little growing room. At $32, the quality feels solid for the price. Lightweight, breathable, and easy to wear — these check all the boxes for an everyday kids' shoe.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2026
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Melissa
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Cute, Comfortable, Light-Weight Shoes, Perfect for School
Size: 11 Little Kid, Color: Pink/Lavender, Size: 11 Little Kid, Color: Pink/Lavender
These have turned out to be great everyday shoes for my 5 year old. She normally wears a size 10, but since that size wasn’t available, I ordered the 11 expecting her to grow into them. I was pleasantly surprised that they already fit her pretty well. There’s still a little extra room in the toe area, but the shoes fit securely around her ankles so they don’t feel loose or slip off while walking or playing. She says they’re very comfortable and loves how easy they are to slip on by herself. The lightweight design is nice for everyday wear, and they’ve held up well so far despite being worn almost daily. They've become her favorite shoes to wear! Also the pink/lavender color is really pretty in person. Overall, I’m very happy with them and would order again.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2026
A
Amazon customer
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Great shoe well made
Size: 13 Little Kid, Color: Pink/Lavender, Size: 13 Little Kid, Color: Pink/Lavender
Really good shoes at a fair price. My daughter loves the pink and purple gradient colors. Really beautiful. Shoes have proven themselves very durable. She's been wearing these a few times a week for the last couple months and they still look new aside from some dirt stains. Fit perfectly. Very comfortable. This is always her first pick in the morning when she's getting dressed. Good breathability you can wear these in hot summer weather without sweaty feet. Versatile shoe looks good enough to wear out and about or exercise in.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2026

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