Soundsmith Introduces New SG-230 Strain Gauge Cartridge/Preamp and System Control Preamp

Soundsmith's Peter Ledermann demoed his latest Strain Gauge cartridge system, the SG-230. The new model offers a complete system preamp solution that features the strain gauge function plus four line inputs, remote control, balanced, single-ended and fixed outputs.

The strain gauge cartridge has user replaceable styli and because of its unique technology, a host of performance features with which no other cartridge can compete. It comes standard with a nude line contact stylus and ruby cantilever but other easily replaceable options are also available including one for 78rpm records.

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Because it doesn't use coils or magnets and is a displacement, not a velocity sensitive device it does not require RIAA compensation, just a simple gain stage, which is in the system preamp. Cost for the system including the remote controlled preamp with four additional inputs is $12,900.

Learn more on the Soundsmith website but good luck navigating it.

COMMENTS
planarhead's picture

So the preamp just needs to be purely gain based without any EQ? If that is accurate I imagine the SS Strain Gauges would sound better with a better phono preamp. Whenever I have heard these cartridges either at shows or at one friend's it sounds too clinical to me. If you can add some meat with the preamp that is a good thing (IE Dave Slagle's EMIA strain gauge which uses a tube based gain device)

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