The Strain Gauge

The Strain Gauge cartridge is not at all like any other cartridge. All other cartridges, whether moving magnet, moving coil, or moving iron, are “generators,” meaning you put motion in, and you get energy out. They generate a tiny voltage that you amplify and send to your speakers.
The key here in describing all other cartridges is in the word moving. Because all other cartridges MUST move a mass around: a magnet, and iron core with wires (moving “coil”) or iron.
All other cartridges are all magnetic generating systems, which require a mass to be constantly moved to generate a voltage. The Strain Gauge does not; the effective moving mass has been reduced by over 80%, allowing the stylus to stay in intimate contact with the goove walls, and allowing the stylus to stop jittering or “bouncing” in the groove as it now is not trying to move a “large” mass back and forth.

Features:

• Frequency response, DC to 70 Khz
• No “RIAA” filter circuitry is required or used in our preamp – just one ULTRA clean gain stage (this is because the Stgrain Gauge is a “displacement” device, not a “velocity” sensitive device like magnetic cartridges).
• Compatible with standard “4 wire” tone arm wiring
• User Replaceable Nude “Contact-Line” stylus w/Ruby Cantilever (varied stylus types avail)
• System Price includes Strain Gauge Cartridge and Soundsmith SG Preamp of your choice
• “Fixed” Line level & +10dB variable outputs, both Balanced and Unbalanced (via RCA jacks)
• High Compliance design and feedom from low frequency saturation assures excellent tracking ability and performance with any tone arm
• All preamp models now feature toggling between the Strain Gauge function and single or (multiple) line inputs for maximum hookup flexibility to your equipment

• Low tracking forces with extreme precision
• Compatible with any 1/2″ mount headshell – uses STANDARD 4 wire tone arm wiring
• Frequency response DC-70kHz with only 10° of phase shift in the audio band (rumble filter built in @ 12 Hz – passive type before single flat gain stage
• Front panel displays for tracking force (digital readout), AC component of the vertical tracking force, force balance per groove wall, and record eccentricity! (on models 810, 610,and 600 only)
• Fixed and variable, balanced and unbalanced outputs via RCA jacks. Our variable output will provide up to +10dB level, and may be used DIRECTLY into any amplifer with balanced or unbalanced inputs.
• Advanced muting features: Automatic Cue -Up muting (works with any turntable, and is user defeatable), manual muting control, and fault-sensing auto-mute to allow “hot plugging” of the tone arm or cartridge with the volume up, thus eliminating buzz or transients (allows stylus cleaning, adjustments, etc….)
• User replaceable styli available in varied compliance and configurations (Ruby & Aluminum cantilever, Nude Contact Line &, Elliptical Styli – 78 Styli) Styli replacement Costs from $149.95 – $499.95
• IR Hand Held Remote for remote controlled models controls volume, mute, power (and input switching on the SG-510 and SG-810)

• All models feature front panel finger “light-touch” control switches for power, manual muting and front panel lighting control (on models 810,610 &600) allowing adjustable front panel lights from “automatic room lighting level” to variable intensity – full bright to off. (All other models have rear manual control for lighting intensity) Our lucite volume knob changes color to indicate the state of operation: RED (standby); Yellow (auto-mute); flashing yellow (manual mute); Blue (unmuted – playing)
• Our Strain Gauge cartridge requires specialized preamp circuitry, and is sold with any of seven models of Soundsmith’s preamplifiers – All models have both fixed and +10 dB varialbe outputs – and can be used directly into an “aux” input on your preamp, or used DIRECTLY into any power amplifier.

All models have identical sonic characteristics and vary only in features:

• SG-810 – Our top model is a multi-function preamp and full function Strain Gauge Preamp; It features the SG function plus 4 line inputs & tape monitor, Front panel “touch” & Remote control input switching, volume, mute and power with full Strain Gauge performance displays and lighting intensity control (auto room adjust or manual “linear control” from lights off to full bright)
• SG-610 – Dedicated Preamp for Strain gauge – Front panel “touch” & Remote control for volume, mute and power; full Strain Gauge performance displays; lighting intensity control (auto room adjust or manual “linear control” from lights off to full bright)
• SG-600 – Dedicated Preamp for Strain Gauge – Same as 610, no remote control
• SG-510 – Dedicated Preamp for Strain Gauge and full function preamp – SG input plus 4 line inputs & tape monitor; Front panel “touch” & Remote control for input switching, volume, mute and power -NO DISPLAYS
• SG-500 – Dedicated Preamp for Strain Gauge and full function preamp – same as SG-510, but no remote control
• SG-410 – Dedicated SG Preamp – Remote & Manual control for Volume, mute & power
• SG-400 – Dedicated SG Preamp only – Manual Volume, mute & power

Prices:: SG-810 – $14,999.95; SG-610 – $12,499.95; SG-600 – $11,499.95; SG-510 – $12.499.95; SG-500 – $11,499.95; SG-410 – $8,499.95; SG-400 – $7,499.95

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SUSSURRO

Inspired by Frank Schröder, designed and individually crafted by Peter Ledermann…..Soundsmith’s long awaited NEW top of the line moving Iron cartridge ~ The Sussurro ~

Frank Schröder is not only a highly gifted tone arm designer and builder but also one of the most insightful audio engineers alive today. In an informal meeting at an audio show it would have been easy to have overlooked his suggestion that I work on a low output moving iron cartridge design. However his reasoning was impeccable and the seed for a new product was sown. Frank has been testing our prototypes throughout the development phase, providing his insightful and invaluable feedback along the way.

But the other inside story of The Sussurro is that it is a cartridge designed to specifically address the most critical issues of cartridge design. Because the laws of physics don’t change all that often, cartridges must adhere to first principles, and do it carefully – to get sublime results.

In accord with those laws, the Sussurro has an unbelievably low effective moving mass. Among the important benefits of that is the increased effect of the damping system – which means it can be reduced – a critical requirement for retrieving micro detail and not glossing over what you want to hear. The unique Sussurro damping system has been critically tuned as well ~ so that ALL primary resonances are absolutely tamed. Then all critical stationary parts are fixed rigidly within its tiny magnetic structure and the fully shielded magnetic case is engineered for extreme stability – holding all non-moving parts in exact position at all times.

Finally, an innovative energy distribution system designed to effectively transfer the mechanical energy away from the cantilever through the cartridge body into the tone arm.

SOUNDSMITH MOVING IRON CARTRIDGES

Here is the “micro-manufacturing” reality: All top end cartridges from all manufacturers are hand made. The real issue is that when you are manufacturing something so tiny, that has to perform so well, that all of them are NOT the same. If you don’t see this statement from other manufacturers, then this is a “secret” they don’t want to share, and quite understandably so.

So…..what does Soundsmith do? Soundsmith carefully hand build each and every cartridge, test them, and keep accurate records by serial number of their performance. Those that meet or exceed specifications are sold. But, there are always a few that measure much better than the other “great” ones……and we select these to be mounted in Ebony bodies, available to you as “selected” units. Do they cost more??? You bet. Much more?? No. Do they out perform many cartridges selling for two, three, four, or even five times the price? YES. Some ask: “Moving Iron Cartridges better?? I thought that moving COIL types are the best??”

Soundsmith cartridges overturn the myth that moving coil cartridges are the only path towards perfection. After all, what is the accepted “advantage” of moving coil cartridges? Low effective moving mass, right? Well, we’ve got less. Much less. And if you understand EFFECTIVE moving mass, Less IS more. Why is that good? Because when you lower the moving system mass, it’s easier to control. If it’s easier to control, the stylus can stay in better contact with the groove walls. That’s good, because if you can’t stay in contact with the groove walls, you can’t hear what’s on the record.

All Soundsmith Moving Iron cartridges are available in high and medium compliance versions, as well as true DUAL MONO.

The Voice

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARD – 2009 – StereoMojo

“The Voice” cartridge by The Soundsmith makes a clear statement amidst the other voices of high performance phono cartridges.

Our statement?? Ikebana. Less is more.

It overturns the myth that moving coil cartridges are the only path towards perfection. After all, what is the “advantage” of the moving coil type of cartridge? Low effectivemoving mass, right? We got less. Much less. And if you understand moving mass, Less IS more.

The 40 year evolution of “The Voice” cartridge affords lower effective moving mass than any of them. Far lower. It even has 40% less than our other moving iron designs! Why is that good? Because when you lower the moving mass, it’s easier to control. If it’s easier to control, the stylus can stay in better contact with the groove walls. That’s good, because if you can’t stay in contact with the groove walls, you can’t hear what’s on the record.

Is a moving coil preamp required? No. “The Voice” is designed to be used with a Moving Magnet preamp. No transformers. No finicky multi-stage ultra high gain preamp required. Less is more here, too. Once you’ve heard “The Voice”, you’ll never go back. The price?? Oh yes, “less is more” applies here too. The Voice is available as a production select version, precision installed in a hand crafted Ebony mount for $2199.95.

AIDA

“The Aida” cartridge by The Soundsmith is a hand selected version of our famous SMMC1 cartridge. We select it as special from our normal production run, and ship it to you mounted in a hand finished Ebony mount. Hand selected? Aren’t all cartridges (of a given model) coming out of a production facility the same, or rejected if they don’t meet specifications??

Is a high gain moving coil preamp required? No. “Aida” is designed to be used with a Moving Magnet preamp. No “step-up” transformers. No finicky multi-stage ultra high gain preamp required. Less is more here, too. Once you’ve heard your new Aida cartridge, you’ll never go back. The price?? Oh yes, “less is more” applies here too………$999.95

BOHEME

The “Boheme” cartridge by The Soundsmith is a hand selected version of our famous SMMC2 cartridge. We select it as special from our normal production run, and ship it to you mounted in a hand finished Ebony mount. Hand selected? Aren’t all cartridges (of a given model) coming out of a production facility the same, or rejected if they don’t meet specifications?

Is a high gain moving coil preamp required? No. “Aida” is designed to be used with a Moving Magnet preamp. No “step-up” transformers. No finicky multi-stage ultra high gain preamp required. Less is more here, too. Once you’ve heard your new Boheme cartridge, you’ll never go back. The price?? Oh yes, “less is more” applies here too………$749.95

The Boheme is available in high and medium compliance versions, and true DUAL MONO as well.

CARMEN

The “Carmen” cartridge by The Soundsmith is a hand selected version of our famous SMMC3 cartridge. We select it as special from our normal production run, and ship it to you mounted in a hand finished Ebony mount. Hand selected? Aren’t all cartridges (of a given model) coming out of a production facility the same, or rejected if they don’t meet specifications??

The Carmen is available in high and medium compliance versions, and true DUAL MONO. $499.95

OTELLO

The “Otello” cartridge by The Soundsmith is a hand selected version of Soundsmith famous entry level SMMC4 cartridge. We select it as special from our normal production run, and ship it to you mounted in a hand finished Ebony mount. Hand selected? Aren’t all cartridges (of a given model) coming out of a production facility the same, or rejected if they don’t meet specifications??

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