2. analog
  3. 133995-3635

Soundsmith Straingauge cartridge taken to the next level

After a long pause, my analog was reinstalled 6 weeks ago.
This pause gave me the chance to go to the next level on my Straingauge.
Atm, Straingauge is a great performer, but IMHO it’s let down by it’s cheap and nasty 24V DC wall warts.
Initially I upgraded these to Red Wine Audio Black Lightning battery psu which gave a great upstick in SQ, but at expense of ongoing unreliability.
So 9 months ago I commissioned Peter Downs of Alternative Audio in SW of U.K., www.alternativeaudio.co.uk
to make a bespoke psu to the cart.
And after many prototypes the finished version, with specialist transformer, oversized choke and best choice of caps etc, was delivered and installed.
Together with a sister psu to replace the stock one on my Trans Fi Salvation rim drive motor.
6 weeks of burn in, and I’m in Seventh Heaven re the SQ impvts these psus are bringing to the party.
Will report more at next post. But I can’t praise Peter enough in what he’s created, it’s truly taking my analog to the next level.
spiritofmusic
spiritofmusic OP
828 posts
 
Craig, I just run the cart and energiser box...going to the SG preamp made no sense in my system since I was already running my tubed Nat Audio Utopia pre.
Maybe if I'd have been a vinyl-only listener w no preamp, the SG amp would have made sense.
Can't offer any advice on that Q.

SGS6 beats the 5 in every way other than ease of setup. Azimuth critical.
craig
84 posts
 
Thanks spiritofmusic!

How do you like the Degritter?  How often do you clean the records?


tablejockey
3,965 posts
 
Years ago, I heard one played by Peter at a show. Still the "BEST" sounding cart to my ears.

I've heard some of the "best" on ridiculous setups. 

It wasn't even mounted to a "super table" Just a VPI HRX(no slouch)
and thru bookshelves, no less.

These SS threads make me jealous....I want one!
 
spiritofmusic OP
828 posts
 
Craig, Degritter daily.
spiritofmusic OP
828 posts
 
Tablejockey, there's a Whats Best Forum thread that compares SS Hyperion and Straingauge to uber carts 2x the price.
And Peter's designs win handily.
I would say seriously consider these two carts. My Straingauge is gamechanger/endgamer cart for me. And that's after two Transfigurations and two Lyras.
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