Soundsmith dl103r vs. Dynavector 17d3 ruby ?

Geoch, I was deasd wrong about the cartridge model! it is a Karat 23r!!!
I realized I had set it up wrong as well, wrong tracking force, and I had the leads reversed.
I must say, it is a fine sounding cartridge, very detailed and transparent, but it lacks the kick@ss dynamics of the 103r! Of course, I haven't experimented with different loading yet...
I just received my SS Denon (I bought it back from my friend)! so I was able to do an actual A/B test... That modded Denon is one heck of a cart., I didn't realize how good I had it all this time!!!
I'm wondering where I will have to go to improve upon it... I was trying to buy a damaged shelter 501 from a joker on here, but that didn't work out.....
I think a SS modded Shelter 501 might be just the ticket!
Cheers!

Panasonic strain gauge .... Game over.
It's a keeper.

I compared a ZU DL 103R with a ruby cantilever and line contact stylus retip from Soundsmith to a Dynavector 23R with Ruby Cantilever. I have not heard a 17D2 with a ruby cantilever. I must say that the ZU DL-103r with the soundsmith ruby cantilever and line contact stylus was superb. It rivaled several cartridges in the over $2K category. The 23R was just blah in comparison.

I've become enamoured with the Panasonic strain gauge cartridge with
A custom built gain stage.. It just 'works' with my current system.
I can't see anything in my price parameters coming close to matching it.
I've been rediscovering my vinyl collection

Could you elaborate on what you like about the strain gauge? What kind of music do you listen to?