Anyone have experience with Soundsmith’s strain gauge?

The sound of the Strain Gauge is really polarizing, I guess.

I have heard it vs. DS Audio and DS Audio was the clear
winner. Both have outstanding clarity, „room“ and dynamics.

But the SG was „CD-like“ for my taste and DS Audio transported
the magic of vinyl. So I bought it. And the current DS Audio models
are even better than the original DS-W1 was.

Racedoc, audio certainly polarises. I've seen comments that the DS is digital-like, the same way you feel about SG. Horses for courses.
Install is everything in analog, SG maybe more than most. It is v sensitive to azimuth...get setup wrong/sub par, and you're "rewarded" with a thin, non immersive sound. Crack azimuth, and VTA for every individual lp, and you're *rewarded* with a true holographic presentation, excellent tonal and timbral discrimination, bass energy and start/stop nature that really feels realistic, and lifelike speed. All of which is taken up a notch or three w addition of quality LPS.
Congrats on yr DS, like me w SG it seems you've found yr analog nirvana.

So much for perfect.

At any rate the first thing I look at is tracking. It has to do better Than 70 um at 315 Hz preferably better than 80 um. This is a spec that is frequently missing. If a cartridge has a stellar reputation I'll buy it and if It can't meet the spec turn around and sell it at a loss. I refuse to let any cartridge damage my records. Fortunately, I have not had to do this in a while. Cartridges are getting darn expensive.

Many of Micheal Fremer's comments have psychological underpinnings.
He could never admit than his mega buck phono amp was outdone by a system that cost a fraction. Same for his tonearm. Take everything he says with a grain of salt. 

Back in the late 70s I had a Win Labs STD 10 strain gauge cartridge. It was not awful but close. I only kept it a month or so before throwing in the towel. So, I suppose I'm a bit sour on the idea. I would have to hear one extensively before jumping on that bandwagon again.

MC, I see you still have the "jitter" bug.

Mijostyn, you mean MF's infamous retraction of comments re Whest v Boulder phonostages? I'm glad you've confirmed that, I was told I had that story wrong. Yep, I never paid any attention to his words after that low point.

I did have one negative observation about the Strain gauge...

It has that corny 1980's blue LED! That would be the first thing I would try to disable. It's 2020, are there STILL fans of the blue LED on audio equipment?

Blue LED's remind me of stuff made in...oh that's another thread. BAN the Blue LED!