Soundsmith - Hyperion vs lyra ETNA

Last year at CAF there were two identical VPI HW-40 turntables being demonstrated in the VPI room.  One had a SS Hyperion and the other a Lyra Etna if my memory is correct.  I listened for quite a while during multiple visits to the room and greatly preferred the SoundSmith as many others may have as it seemed it was usually the choice of those spinning the vinyl by the end of the show.  

@drrsutliff
I would say that would be so with the VPI combo. They are known to be a good match. I have heard that VPI and Lyra can be too much of the same thing. 

So I ended up going with a new EMT. The EMT Lime. Here is why.
I called a dealer that sold both EMT and SoundSmith..  Feed back went a fallows.
Soundsmith was more coherent, cleaner and a bit more polished sounding. EMT came off with a bit more texture detail, a touch more forward, but only when called upon.  Splitting hairs EMT is more tonally accurate and darker, but that was if you have to have to address a non existing issue in the name of nit picking. I got the idea EMT had more grip. .That was the gist. The new EMT lime with the sapphire cantilever and new coils is a special treat.. I guess
 NOTE: This was him putting it against a 5k SoundSmith. The Hyperion he  said can be system dependent. If you get it right its mind blowing.. I dont know if @arion would agree.
I get the emt in 2 weeks. I will fallow up.

@kingdombuildingcon Please do. I am looking at the Soundsmith Sussero and the EMT JSD 6 or Pure Black so would love to hear what you discover. Can you let us know why you chose the Pure Lime over the Pure Black?

The EMT are a nice cartridge. I have not been without one for many years. I run a Tsd-75. I have an Air Tight PC-7 now as well. Please let us know what you think of the Pure Lime. I'm unfamiliar with their newest models.