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My new Soundsmith Straingauge cartridge

Well, after a bit of dillying and dallying, I finally got 'round to trying a home trial of this cart. After a couple of hours dialling in vtf, and esp. azimuth, it basically sold itself, and I bought it an hour later!
It's without doubt the fastest cart I've ever experienced, surpassing the Decca London Reference, but with none of that cart's tipped up 'whiteness'. But this blazing speed is combined with the natural sweetness of the Lyra Parnassus. It has the neutrality of the Transfiguration Orpheus with the dynamics and involvement of the ESCCo-modded Zu Denon 103. So, fast AND sweet, and neutral AND involving, combinations often too challenging for other so-called SOTA carts. All the carts I've mentioned I've had in my system over the years. But I admit, I haven't heard current contenders to the crown (Lyra Titan/Atlas, Ortofon Anna, Clearaudio Goldfinger etc) to make comparisons.
It's tracking really is superlative, 3d soundstaging/dimensionality is beyond the room constraints, and I really believe it has the least artifact-laden sound of any cart I've heard, with NO aural evidence of a diamond carving thru wax. It's really complimenting what's already a neutral, fast and dynamic analog rig in my system (Trans Fi Salvation direct rim drive tt/Trans Fi Terminator air bearing linear tracking arm)
spiritofmusic
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
Dear Raul,
you tell the world that you are learning but in fact you don't learn anything. You want to demonstrate the world that you are an expert. in the end you are demonstrating in so many threads that you are not, also here. I wouldn't mind if it is only about facts and exchange of opinions about our hobby.
I told you so many times that what you are writing and blaming about Dertonearm and others is not good for you. It shows that you are not able to exchange arguments but you take it personally.
I just read in another thread that you are happy having defeated Dertonearm (which is in fact a misjudgement). What does this show to us? Is it about victory you are looking for? Do you need personal satisfaction? Is this the motivation of your ongoing accusations? You are demanding receiving all information from Slowlearner on behalf of the audio community. Which audio community do you believe you are representing? It looks to me you have some kind of misconception.
May I ask you to return to the Raul of earlier times when you did not have that kind of megalomania.
wrm57
1,066 posts
 
Personally, I consciously ignore all posts by Rauliruegas. When his passive aggressive bombast hijacks a thread, I ignore the thread. I'm on the verge of ignoring this one despite its otherwise valuable content.
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rauliruegas
13,108 posts
 
Dear Wrm57: Glad to know it. As I said: no one is perfect.

Thuchan: I gave up with you. This as any other thread is not a contest for me. Have fun.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,487 posts
 
In defense of Rauliruegas (not that he needs MY help)......The s/g cartridge just sounds "different" to me. Yes there are lots of things it does well, but the total sound is not something I personally would want to live with. I thank Raul for bringing the possibility that it somehow changes the RIAA curve. Every component sounds a bit different in the system that it is in.... I would suspect that the s/g sounds quite wonderful in Spirit's system.
spiritofmusic OP
828 posts
 
Wrm, please don't leave me, or my thread, LOL! It's mine, not Raul's. I'm happy to contribute further info on my experience with it. Stringreen, I agree it sounds a little 'different', but in my book this is a big increase in esp. transparency and tracking. I really feel it has the least 'character' of any top end MC I've had in my system, but is a little frustrating in it's sensitivity to correct setup. At the moment I am slightly having to readjust my sub crossover levels on my spkrs wrt previous carts in my system.
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