Soundsmith Strain Gage Cartridge system

Interesting conversation. I have been following this for a few days since I am going to get a 410 and strain gauge cartridge. I have heard the system at RMAF twice now and honestly, based on what I heard in the Soundsmith room, I would not have bought the combination. The room was too long and narrow, and not set up to reveal it's capabilities. While the sound was above average for the show, it did not stand out as being particularly special.

After talking to people who heard the set up in Miami and then in Colorado, I have given a more serious thought to it. When a combination excels some of best cartridges ever made, and does it for less money, a person has to sit up and take notice. Especially when the people making these claims own or have access to the best existing equipment!

I hope to hear/see more comments from people about the Soundsmith gear as more of it makes its way to market. These are exciting times...

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I just received my Strain Gauge and I love it. After adjusting the VTA and the damping on my arm, I found the “sweet spot” for the line contact ruby stylus. I have never heard a more life-like image from any stereo system after installing the Strain Gauge. The sound is enveloping. I have the urge to jump into the sound stage and swim around with the music. Each instrument in the sound field breathes and sounds so natural. There is an ease about the music that allows you to relax and go with the music.
I believe that because the Strain Gauge does not use the RIAA curve, less phase distortion is present in the music, resulting in an effortless sound. I also believe because a moving coil or a moving magnet is not used in the system, the sound is less distorted. The way the Strain Gauge operates reminds me of the way a single-ended triode amplifier works. Like a single-ended triode amplifier, the highly doped silicon beams modulate the flow of current resulting in a voltage that follows the movement of the grooves with very low harmonic distortion.
It is rare that a theoretical advantage in audio actually yields a practical advantage. I believe that Peter has done it and the proof is in the pudding!

Sincerely,

John Pessetto

John,
What cartridge and phonostage were you using before you got the SG?
Do you run the SG system directly to your amps or into a linestage?
If you do go straight to the amps, what linestage had you been using?
Thank you.

Hi Exlibris,

I was using a Lyra Olympos moving coil cartridge (single coil), a custom-made Dave Slage (Intact Audio) step-up transformer, custom-wound wire-wound resistors (Intact Audio), an Artemis phono preamp PH1 and a custom-made Dave Slage (Intact Audio) autoformer volume control. Because I had enough voltage gain, I didn't need a line stage. With the SG system I don't need any of the previous equipment. The SG system drives my amps directly. I hope this helps.

John

That helps; thanks.