Strain gauge vs Zyx 4D/Atmos


Hello

Has anybody gone from a Zyx 4D/Atmos or Universe to the Strain gauge? I have a 4d/Atmos running into a Whest Ref V phono and the combo sounds fantastic. Do you think it would a sideways step going to the Soundsmith?

I have read a few people say the Straingauge beat their previous cartridges, but I don't think they had a phono stage as good as the Whest.

Has anyone gone back to another cartridge after using the Strain Gauge?

Unfortunately I cannot demo the soundsmith in my system.
leicachamp

Showing 1 response by mosin

Hi Raul...and you guys,

Have you considered the possibility that a strain gauge cartridge could be built, so that it mechanically meets the RIAA standard without the help of its associated electronics? After all, RIAA circuitry in a phonostage simply corrects for what a MM/MI/MC cannot do on its own. While doing that it also adds elements to the audio chain, and that is what we are all endlessly trying to avoid because the more components in the audio chain, the further away from the music it becomes.

The strain gauge, however, is so simple in its basic construction that damping can be mechanically tuned for a given desired result. How well? I don't know, but it is food for thought.