No strain with the Strain Gauge,

Some three years ago I started on my quest for a SoundSmith Strain gauge system.
That quest was finished with the purchase of a used SG220 system with the standard SG5 stylus, which had just been upgraded to the most current level by SoundSmith.
I am confident what follows will apply to all new SoundSmith Strain gauge systems as well.
Let the journey begin !
There have been many things written about the SoundSmith Strain Gauge.
What I will try to do is put into words the impact of the SoundSmith Strain Gauge on my enjoyment of recorded music in my daily life
Due to the nature of the Strain gauge it requires a power supply and so must be used with supplied preamp.
The SG220 preamp has a variable output, one line level input, and remote control.
This means I can run the SG220 directly into my power amp.No preamp required !
My system is a vinyl only system but the line level input intrigued me, so I tried a few things thru it.
What a great preamp! No noise,great soundstage and imaging.
Then there is the remote.Love the mute! No more running to the pre to turn it down during phone calls or conversations with my wife :)
The volume control which is motorized, is simply a great volume control. Smooth fine adjustment.
Setting up the cartridge is no different than any other cartridge at this level.Patience and due dilligence will reward you in kind.

So on to the music.
This is where it gets hard
I have some 200 hours on this system and I am still struggling for the words.
I listen to everything.My records are in no particular order,I have no particular taste.
Without exception, every record I have listened to is a new experience.
You see, I know I am listening to a recording. I hold the thing in my hands,put it on my turntable,watch it spool to speed, cue the tone arm, let it drop.
I know an electrical signal is eventually converted to acoustical energy radiated by my speakers.
Yet all that goes away when my ears tell me I am hearing emotional truth.
lets face it, some recordings are just better than others.
But for the most part, the emotion the artist was trying to achieve will still be there
Now, good or bad, every recording is presented with more clarity into the essence of the performance.
I easily forget I am listening to a recording, instead I am part of a performance in my environment.
Does this mean the sound is more live? more real? more accurate?
I would have to say I do not know.I wasn,t there when it was made, my system, my room, my mood will all color the presentation.
What I can say though with absolute certainty, I am now getting every last bit of information the pressing has to offer.
I am confident I actually hear what the artist is trying to achieve and with this confidence comes a relaxation I have never known till now
That in itself is worth the price of admission !

To Peter and the crew of SoundSmith
Well Done !

Ron