Anyone have experience with Soundsmith’s strain gauge?

Yes that sounds quite incredible according your description and I can understand why some people may not like the sound. It reminds of the reaction people get when moving from electrodynamic speakers to magnepans or electrostats, it’s very different. You mentioned your Turntable is extremely high end and it makes me wonder if my Prime Scout is up for the job or if the money is better spent elsewhere. 

Also has anybody heard the optical cartridges from DS audio? They seem to be a similar concept for a comparable price.

Yes, I was wondering if there’s any sonic differences between the versions of the SG. I see you can pay more for a fancier preamp and you can pay even more and get one from their reference line. The other question I have is how exactly the stylus replacement works? It is like the Ortofon cartridges?

This maybe be a bit of stretch...but would anybody be will to share a needledrop of this cartridge? I know it's not the same as being there but I there no nearby sellers of Soundsmith in my area and this is the next best thing to listening to it live.