Spiritofmusic, I have not heard a Zu 103, but have passed through Denon's top DL-S1 on my Terminator as a side-bar to a fairly wide range of NOS MM/MIs. FWIW the vintage MM/MIs will flip your wig. I've heard the Strain Gauge at several trade shows, and would not place it above the top vintage Stantons, Pickerings, Azdens, and Astatics. The Trans-Fi is a clean reproducer of whatever cartridge you give it. Don't worry the cartridge.
Soundsmith Straingauge SG-200 cartridge system
Hi everyone, haven't heard much discussion of this one in a while. I'm just starting to run a direct rim drive Trans Fi Salvation tt sporting a Trans Fi Terminator air bearing linear tracking arm. It's a total game changer imho, but I fear the Zu modded Denon 103 cart on it, excellent as it is, may have performance bettered by something more SOTA. I'm looking for something to match the tt/arm's neutrality, solidity and eveness, and am drawn to the Straingauge. Reviews praise it's speed and naturalness, but some comments are more guarded commenting on tonal thinness, edginess and overanalytic quality.
If it helps I hate over sharp carts like Lyra Skala, are more comfortable with neutral carts like the Transfiguration Orpheus, and feel the humble Zu 103 is a giant killer in the rhythmn/timing/involvment stakes.
So comments please from those who have experience of the Straingauge, thank you.
If it helps I hate over sharp carts like Lyra Skala, are more comfortable with neutral carts like the Transfiguration Orpheus, and feel the humble Zu 103 is a giant killer in the rhythmn/timing/involvment stakes.
So comments please from those who have experience of the Straingauge, thank you.