After auditioning SoundSmith's top two phono carts (Hyperion & Strain Gauge), I chose to buy the Hyperion as it sounded most like real music to me. To my ears, the Hyperion easily out performs top model carts I've owned from Lyra, Grado, and Air Tight, so I considered its $8,000 price a real bargain.
I feel the biggest reason the Hyperion can achieve this level of performance has a lot to do with its very low moving mass. I am very aware of the benefits of less moving mass, as I do a few track days each year at Brainerd International Raceway. My underpowered GT86 runs circles around much higher powered 6 and 8 cylinder cars do to less mass. Being lighter, I am able to move quicker through the curves and turns, just like a lower moving mass cart is able to more easily follow the curves in the record grove. The Hyperion actually reminds me a lot of listening to my "Tape Project" Reel-to-Reels, because it is so well able to faithfully follow the groves, without jittering and bouncing around the groove.
Shortly after getting the Hyperion I saw at Capital Audio Fest that Peter came out with his improved ES Series version (Hyperion mkII). I love the Hyperion so much that I would like to get the mkII version , so I am putting this one up for sale.
I have never experienced a better sounding cart than the Hyperion, and I'm looking forward to hearing what the new mkII version sounds.
With my busy schedule and moving to a new house, I have less than 100 hours on this cart.
Here is your chance to pick up one of the worlds best sounding phono carts at a very reasonable price.
Factory photo shown. I can email you actual photos on request.
email: paul@anticables.com
-or-
dial: 651-341-1780
Learn more here:
https://www.sound-smith.com/articles/fixed-coil-vs-moving-coil-why-make-jump-different-technology
https://youtu.be/F65mODzn4Gk
Specifications
Cartridge Type: Fixed Coil
Stylus Type: Contact Line O.C. Contact Line
Output: Low
Output Voltage: 0.4 mV
Stylus: Contact Line Nude, 0.100mm SQ
Radius of curvature
Selected Diamond shapes: Optimized (OCL)
Cantilever: Hand formed/treated selected Cactus “Spine”
Recommended tracking force: 1.8 to 2.2 grams
Effective tip mass: 0.30 mg
Compliance: 10 μm/mN (low compliance) (LT) | 12 μm/mN vertical | 7 μm/mN horizontal
Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz ± 1.0 dB
Channel separation (stereo only): 1000 Hz >36 dB (LT: > 34dB), 50-15,000 >25 dB
Channel difference: <0.5 dB (Stereo) <1.0 dB (Mono)
Output Voltage: ≥0.4 mV
DC Resistance (DCR): 10-11 Ω each channel
Coil: 2.75 mH each channel
Suggested Preamp Gain: 58-64 dB
Cartridge weight: 10.25 grams
Loading: ≥ 470 Ω
