Soundsmith Strain Gauge cartridge system

Dear Peter

Here is my review that you asked for, please let me know if it all makes sense for your purposes or whether you would like me to change anything to let it be clearer to potential customers -
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I have owned a Soundsmith Strain Gauge cartridge system for about 10 years mainly using it to transfer 78 r.p.m. discs. It is a constant delight to hear these classic recordings sound such as they have never been heard before, full of vitality with instruments sounding real.

There is no other cartridge of such high quality capable of accepting complete stylus assemblies. In fact I would say there is simply no other cartridge of such high quality but to put it to work on 78s is an absolute revelation.

Many old LPs, where master tapes no longer exist, can be brought back to life using this marvel: the results you can expect will far exceed those from other sources.

I write this now because Peter Ledermann has recently upgraded my Strain Gauge & built additional stylus assemblies: he seems to have improved upon perfection. Having never used other Soundsmith cartridges or re-builds I can only guess what they must be like, but with Peter Ledermann’s astonishing expertise I would fully expect them all worth considering within various budgets as the finest you could wish for. Knowing now what I do, one of them would be my first upgrade if I were just starting out!

David Bennett, Remastering Engineer

They Said What?

I played this album a few times on my system before adding the Zephyr MK III ES. I found it far superior to the CDs I'd listened to, with excellent tone on Miles' trumpet and a deep and wide soundstage. But when I listened to it the first time with the Zephyr MK III ES, it was another level of cool. Right off the bat, the surface noise was down, significantly. Secondly, the soundstage was deeper and wider than I have ever heard on my system before. James Cobb's snare had more snap and his high hat took on more air. Song after song, I was completely engaged in the music.