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Soundsmith Straingauge SG-200 cartridge system

Hi everyone, haven't heard much discussion of this one in a while. I'm just starting to run a direct rim drive Trans Fi Salvation tt sporting a Trans Fi Terminator air bearing linear tracking arm. It's a total game changer imho, but I fear the Zu modded Denon 103 cart on it, excellent as it is, may have performance bettered by something more SOTA. I'm looking for something to match the tt/arm's neutrality, solidity and eveness, and am drawn to the Straingauge. Reviews praise it's speed and naturalness, but some comments are more guarded commenting on tonal thinness, edginess and overanalytic quality.
If it helps I hate over sharp carts like Lyra Skala, are more comfortable with neutral carts like the Transfiguration Orpheus, and feel the humble Zu 103 is a giant killer in the rhythmn/timing/involvment stakes.
So comments please from those who have experience of the Straingauge, thank you.
spiritofmusic
lewm
13,247 posts
 
Spirit,
I should not have been so specific in naming one single vintage MM or MI cartridge that would knock your socks off, if properly implemented. Others include but are not limited to: Grace Ruby, Stanton 980LZS (and other extinct Stanton models), Acutex 320 and M320, Technics EPC 100C MkIV (perhaps the king of them all). And there are many more that I have not personally heard. In any case, it seems to me that you want to buy the SG200 cartridge, and you are looking here for justification. Like Doug says, go for it, but have a listen first if at all possible. Trust but verify.

BTW, I never thought of my Triplanar as "sweet sounding". I do think of it as rather neutral sounding. But in contrast to a GP Monaco, perhaps it is sweet; I wouldn't know.
spiritofmusic OP
828 posts
 
Gentleman, I'm considering many options, and assure everyone I will NOT buy without audition first. I'm just not psychologically tuned into buying vintage carts.
Re my Transfiguration Orpheus, I've always loved this cart but have subsequently switched to the Zu 103 at 25% of it's price and don't miss it.
I'm just intrigued with the concept of a very neutral cart on a very neutral tt/arm.
Doug, I get the impression you don't think the Straingauge will be as 'fleshed out' as the Orpheus, and yet Arran states it isn't tonally thin in any way.
dgarretson
2,601 posts
 
Spiritofmusic, I have not heard a Zu 103, but have passed through Denon's top DL-S1 on my Terminator as a side-bar to a fairly wide range of NOS MM/MIs. FWIW the vintage MM/MIs will flip your wig. I've heard the Strain Gauge at several trade shows, and would not place it above the top vintage Stantons, Pickerings, Azdens, and Astatics. The Trans-Fi is a clean reproducer of whatever cartridge you give it. Don't worry the cartridge.
spiritofmusic OP
828 posts
 
Dave, FWIW, Vic 'Mr. Trans Fi' has just moved from his long term reference, the Decca London Ref to a MM Garrott P77i which he runs thru a Ray Samuels Nighthawk F117 phono stage at a setting of 47kOhms. This is certainly getting me looking at the lower end of the price range. Vic believes the P77i beats the London Ref in all aspects esp. bass reproduction at 20% of the cost.
Similarly I've moved from the Transfiguration Orpheus to the Zu 103 at 25% the cost.
Where is the online information for these NOS carts? I'd love to discover more.
spiritofmusic OP
828 posts
 
Tobes, I'm more and more going to give consideration to the Soundsmith OCL ruby cantilever upgrade to my existing Zu 103. The only thing that is concerning me is that there is a VERY large caveat on their website that a fair number of carts don't survive the transformation. This doesn't exactly fill me with confidence, and at present don't have a spare.
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