Strain gauge vs Zyx 4D/Atmos

Dear Leicachamp: +++++ " Do you think it would a sideways step going to the Soundsmith? " +++++

it is very dificult to compare apples with oranges: don't you think? and this is what you are asking for, let me to explain it:

your Zyx as any other LOMC/MM/MI cartridge performs ( along its phono stage. ) according to the RIAA standard curve as other straing gauge cartridges but the SS that the designer choose on porpose a different approach not performing according RIAA standard curve.

Almost all your LPs were cut with the RIAA standar curve eq. ( pre-emphasis. ) and when the signal of your Zyx pass through the Whest phono stage what happen is that the cartridge signal pass through an inverse RIAA standard eq. curve to attain flat/linear frequency response with minimal deviation, usually around 0.1db when the SS is over 2db.

Well the SS don't pass through that inverse RIAA standard curve but through its dedicated preamp where the natural cartridge SS curve is procceseed with the inconvenient that what you heard through the SS is not what is in the recording but an " adulterated "/equalized version way different from the RIAA standard curve that was how your LP was recorded.

That you like it more the SS or the Zyx does not means one is better than the other both are different: we IMHO can't compare in between. All depend what you want, do you want to listen what is in the recording or it does not matters?, if you care about then you need a MC/MM or MI cartridge and if you want to listen a different approach then you could hear the SS or add an external equalizer to your system and you can be done.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Thanks for the explanation. In summary you are saying that the SS does not conform to RIAA and because of that it sounds different not necessary better. Am I correct ?

That's all I need know, I think I will stick with the Whest and have fun using it with different cartridges.

Dear Leicachamp: Yes, correct. Has a different equalization curve that what is in the recording and in your Whest.

regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Hi Raul...and you guys,

Have you considered the possibility that a strain gauge cartridge could be built, so that it mechanically meets the RIAA standard without the help of its associated electronics? After all, RIAA circuitry in a phonostage simply corrects for what a MM/MI/MC cannot do on its own. While doing that it also adds elements to the audio chain, and that is what we are all endlessly trying to avoid because the more components in the audio chain, the further away from the music it becomes.

The strain gauge, however, is so simple in its basic construction that damping can be mechanically tuned for a given desired result. How well? I don't know, but it is food for thought.