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
By the way, the rationale for that idea is based on the fact that batteries are not entirely free of noise. If you use enough uF, you can remove the hash from the supply before it hits the SG.
This Brinkman tubed 24v unit is supposed to be phenomenal. Any idea if .5 amps will run the SG-200? I am guessing the answer would be yes.

Brinkmann RöNt II

Specifications

Optional power supply for turntables »Balance«, »LaGrange«, »Oasis« and »Bardo«

Power consumption 80 Watts
Output voltage stabilized to 24 ..25VDC
Output current 0...500mA peak
Tubes 2x PL36 , 1x 5AR4