SoundSmith cartridges how good?

My Hyperion is my favorite among several highend cartridges.  It is currently installed in a VPI HW 40, a sublime combination.

Soundsmith is like all the reputable brands discussed here.

I've heard the top of the food chain Straingauge which plays with all the other VERY expensive carts(for le$$), along with several throughout the line. As long as you have a competent supporting cast-table/phonostage, your own ears determine if it's "right" for you.

Added plus is they are rebuildable at a reasonable fee.

I've been using the $400,entry level Otello for awhile. Been  taking a break from $1K+ LOMC's. Does all the things we expect of nice carts, just at a lower level, which is expected. So good, it's been able to temper my urge to get a "proper" cart.

It depends how many decent cartridges you can audition, you can always find a better cartridge. 

And there's the problem. Very difficult these days to hear many different cartridges let alone on same arm into same phono stage. 
Appreciate the above responses so far.

I like Peter and his business model and have owned the MIMC Star (original version). It is a good cartridge but I feel that the Soundsmith line is now overpriced and there are other cartridges that represent a better value for money. For example, the ART 9 which I ran before the MIMC Star was half the money and at least as good (better actually in most ways). However, IF you plan to buy, hold, and retip then the value of the SS carts is hard to beat.