I am very sad to hear this. I run two small businesses myself in the UK, and my income is zero as well.
I have some idea how Peter feels.
Feels like we're all in the lap of the gods...
Good luck Peter, hoping v much to do business in 2021 (Straingauge repl stylii/energiser upgrade).
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The way I see it is that Peter is living Covid in a way few of us can understand. NYC is now the Covid epicentre, beyong Wuhan, Italy, Spain, UK. It must be shattering to live and work there atm.
So, to have zero fee income, lose your staff, be stuck w fixed outgoings (rents, stock, salary contributions, next year's tax etc) AND to be aware of people dying around you, and to see a stellar reputation and solid gold 50 yrs audio business teeter on the brink...must be absolutely distressing.
In the UK, I run two businesses, and w zero income I've had to mothball them and let my associates go. It's not a good feeling in any way.
Let's all hope this thing passes or becomes a manageable concept. We have casualties amongst people. It will be doubly sad if many great businesses like Soundsmith also die. |
Let's hope so. It's a poorer world without guys like Peter. |
Sure, understood. I was due to get a Straingauge stylii replacements/energiser upgrade in 12 months (based on current useage). Maybe I'll bring that fwds.
Does anyone know if Peter is mentoring a l/t replacement for him when he retires? Or does Soundsmith cease when Peter stops? My Straingauge has been a total gamechanger in my system. |
Fascinating video. You gotta love guys like Peter...in the game more as an enthusiast made good than anything else.
When I see the price gouging and stratospheric pricing at the top, w laughable claims to justify sheer greed (a soon to be released $25-30k cart made w gold wires stored in a brass bell for 35 yrs...yeah, right!), it makes me hugely pleased I decided to invest w Peter
And willing him to survive |
No go for me on those 3 retailers...Straingauge SG200 not sold. |
They are...literally slide in and out. |
Just swapped emails w Peter. I didn't push for any info on issues. He was happy to provide repl stylii at $950 each (Straingauge has gotta be THE high end cart bargain). I think I'll sort a couple of stylii, should keep me good to Covid-2025 or 2026, lol. |
Excellent Peter. We fans of Soundsmith are fans for life. I'm absolutely smitten by your Straingauge that I've owned since 2013. It beats two models of Lyra and two of Transfiguration that I've previously owned, that is high praise indeed.
And if feedback here and on WBF is anything to go by, your Hyperion is also seeing off competition from higher profile alternatives, some 70-100% pricier.
Keep doing what you're doing.
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Likely to order my repl Straingauge stylii a few months early |
And some people like to dance around a subject without really saying what they mean. |
Apologies if I sounded snipey.
Nandric maybe needs to rephrase his post, it seemed to be a little accusatory. |
Ok Nandric, my intention was honourable in drawing attention to my dislike of your inferences. But since you're happy to hide behind what I call "badge of honour" or "truth as a weapon" subterfuge, I'll come straight out w it.
You're inferring PLederman is being disingenuous in "claiming" he's laying off his employees, boo hoo, what a sad, sad story, etc, you say.
Indeed you're inferring he does all the work himself, or maybe minimal help at most. His story is confabulation or downright deceipt
And that his sob story related here is subterfuge to generate sales.
You just can't say it as you really mean it, and hide behind ad hominem attacks on me for my choice of language.
Sad.
So, I challenge you again.
You provide proof that your take is the correct take.
Otherwise I'll reasonably assume you're just another civilian throwing stones at greenhouses.
And for the record, I don't give two figs if Peter is laying on the story a bit thick.
He has commercial rents, state taxes, local taxes, sales taxes, insurances and utilities, and maybe some wages packages to cover. I do too w both my businesses at zero fee income.
So please, provide evidence Peter is lying or misleading us.
Or find another pastime.
And please, no circular philisophical Gordian Knots from you. I've already untied the last one neatly. |
Miller, I'll resist the urge to tell you to get the SG...but get the SG! lol
The only thing I'd advise is, leave a little budget for a LPS. This really transforms the cart's fortunes.
Put it this way, I'm a Rush/Black Sabbath/Genesis guy at heart. And my LPSd SG w 6 stylus absolutely compels.
But in the last 5 years, critically because the SG is such an honest uncoloured (but naturally colourful) transducer, it's allowed me to fully sate my love for Miles and Trane, and any amount of classical.
I've just polished off an 11-lp DG boxset of Beethoven string qts...the time just flew by.
Straingauge, and Soundsmith generally, totally up there w the best...and in some ways unique at what they do best. |
Thank you Noromance and Neonknight. I was worried I'd misinterpreted things. |
I for one will be glad if Peter is the skipper, and others are sailing the ship. So many legendary Japanese cart artisans have retired or died, and taken their secrets w them...if Peter has trained successors to carry the flame, thank the Lord. I never wanna have to consider another brand. |
I even love the name...suggests a hands-on manual trade utilising traditional, handed-down artisanal experience and skills
Blacksmith
Silversmith
...Soundsmith. |
Hey, I'm not greedy
+999 will cover it |
I hear you Chakster.
Bought my redesigned tonearm from a compatriot of yours in Moscow. Top class product.
What can one say...other than we have to survive, there's no alternative.
As they say, see everyone the other side of the Covid Curve. |
Chakster, where are you from?
Commiserations if you are doing worse than most. The collapse of the oil price is crippling Iran and Nigeria especially, adding insult to the injury of Covid.
Yes, you could say this thread is a First World problem...so what if an audio company goes bust, noone will starve, there are thousands of other carts you can buy.
It was that Peter Lederman posted publically of his woes, and it's chimed with a lot of people.
I run two small self employed therapy clinics, have had to shut and let two associates go. If I fold for good, I won't starve (just), and therapy will always exist.
For me, I absolutely value the small, customer-centered business, in everyday life as well as audio. I view Peter as that rare combination...dedicated, traditional, value-minded, and approachable.
The world of audio is mortally wounded if Peter folds. Yes, the price gougers and bling merchants will survive, charging their $200k for tts, $50k for arms, $25k for carts...they'll thrive in the post Covid, Asian-centered hyperinflationary priced ephemera non reality.
But Peter, bringing a taste of the upper class to the middle class, will be a huge loss. And thus this thread was born.
Genuinely good luck to you and yr compatriots. |
AQ4L, there is a fantastic in depth comparison/trial thread on Soundsmiths, esp Hyperion and Straingauge carts
Go to Whats Best Forum, and on the Vinyl Forum/Carts look for:-
Next Step On Soundsmith Fixed Coil Carts
...to cut a long story short, the Hyperion and LPSd Straingauge come out very highly rated indeed.
More evidence as to how underrated Peter's creations are.
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Millercarbon, go to Whats Best Forum
Vinyl threads
Catridges
Thread is "Next Steps Soundsmith Fixed Coil Cartridges"
Big comparison set up my member Shakti
Me as Spirit Of Music also contributes |
