My new Soundsmith Straingauge cartridge

Let's use logic: Decades of cutting with like-type cutters and like-type cartridges has built a large knowledge and experience base. The balance of recordings is based on original theory as well as experience of playing back on conventional cartridges in the studio.

The strain gauge is a different device and will act differently. I follows that it would be a great stroke of luck and coincidence if it produced the same balance that the engineers were working toward with conventional cartridges.

This is not bias, the above is just solid logic.

If any given person loves the balance of the strain gauge in his system, fantastic. It would be a long stretch to proclaim it the best based on this small sample.

I would love top see plots of frequency sweeps from test records, played by the strain gauge and then a conventional cartridge in the same arm and table, except running through a well known, technically excellent phono stage in the latter case.

Given his time and money invested I am surprised Soundsmith was not pre-armed with this information.

You spend your money and take your chance. I hope anyone trying it loves it, and I likewise hope Soundsmith will refund anyone not liking it within a reasonable time period of obtaining it.

Spiritofmusic, you should be commended for being open minded about potential flaws of a new thing you are excited about. That's rare.

I would hate to see you get too caught up in watching for what is not right though. It's a delicate balance.....look for what might bug you long term while you have a chance to return, but don't look so hard that it turns you into a maniac looking for flaws! I've struggled with that over the decades in the industry, luckily finding a happy balance where I can focus on deducing flaws but sit back and fall asleep to the music when I want, turning off the analytical side.

Your emphasizing the leanness, pointing out the bass seems lean but then saying it does not when there is impact suggests to me that you are likely onto something, a light presentation in the upper bass through lower midrange, and a slight prominence through the brightness range (1 to 5khz). That's what I've heard from this type cart (while cautioning myself and others that they can't all be called identical!).

If you recognize some deviations (the above described will make it seem there is more detail, which you also have said), so now try to note if that personality is making you avoid some records you really like. Try playing records you like but know are a bit lean. Then decide if the additional leanness causes you to not want to play these records. If so, you may get sick of this cartridge. If no, maybe you can enjoy it for a long time with it enhancing your musical enjoyment. Remember, that is what it is about, reveling in the music. If it, or any component makes you focus more on the component then something is wrong, and over time you'll tire of that. Remember, it's not about impressing yourself and others, unless you've chosen that as your course.

Spiritofmusic, really glad you are so open-minded compared to most, who have to say "it is technically, engineering-wise, and sonically perfect and beyond reproach (because I bought it said under the breath).

That you love it is great....that it brings you closer to the music is great. Enjoy, have fun, I hope you continue to love it.

How much did it cost?