SoundSmith Signature SG Systems Preamplifier

Soundsmith Strain Gauge Preamp Systems

The Strain Gauge cartridge is not at all like any other cartridge. All other cartridges, whether moving magnet, moving coil, or moving iron, are "generators" - that is, you put motion in, and you get energy out. They generate a tiny voltage that you amplify and send to your speakers.

The key difference is that all other cartridges MUST move a mass around - a magnet, an iron core with wires (moving "coil") or iron. All other cartridges are magnetic generating systems, which require a mass to be constantly moved to generate a voltage. The Strain Gauge does not; the effective moving mass has been reduced by over 80%, allowing the stylus to stay in intimate contact with the groove walls and allowing the stylus to stop jittering or "bouncing" in the groove as it is not trying to move a "large" mass back and forth.

Key Features:

• Frequency response, DC to 70 kHz
• No "RIAA" filter circuitry is required or used in our preamp - just one ULTRA clean gain stage
• Compatible with standard "4 wire" tone arm wiring
• User Replaceable Nude "Contact-Line" stylus w/Ruby Cantilever (varied stylus types available)
• System Price includes Strain Gauge Cartridge and Soundsmith SG Preamp of your choice
• "Fixed" Line level & +10 dB variable outputs, both Balanced and Unbalanced (via RCA jacks)
• High Compliance design and freedom from low frequency saturation assures excellent tracking ability and performance with any tone arm
• All preamp models now feature toggling between the Strain Gauge function and single or (multiple) line inputs for maximum hookup flexibility to your equipment
• Low tracking forces with extreme precision
• Compatible with any ½" mount headshell - uses STANDARD 4 wire tone arm wiring
• Frequency response DC - 70 kHz with only 10° of phase shift in the audio band (rumble filter built in @ 12 Hz - passive type before single flat gain stage
• Front panel displays for tracking force (digital readout), AC component of the vertical tracking force, force balance per groove wall, and record eccentricity (on models 810, 610, and 600 only)
• Fixed and variable, balanced and unbalanced outputs via RCA jacks. Variable output will provide up to +10dB level, and may be used DIRECTLY into any amplifier with balanced or unbalanced inputs
• Advanced muting features: Automatic Cue-Up muting, manual muting control, and fault-sensing auto-mute
• User replaceable styli available in varied compliance and configurations (Ruby & Aluminum cantilever, Nude Contact Line & Elliptical Styli, 78 Styli)
• IR Hand Held Remote for remote controlled models controls volume, mute, power (and input switching on the SG-510 and SG-810)
• Front panel finger "light-touch" control switches for power, manual muting and front panel lighting control
• Lucite volume knob changes color to indicate the state of operation: RED (standby); Yellow (auto-mute); flashing yellow (manual mute); Blue (unmuted - playing)

Preamp Models:

SG-810 - Top model is a multi-function preamp and full function Strain Gauge Preamp; It features the SG function plus 4 line inputs & tape monitor, Front panel "touch" & Remote control input switching, volume, mute and power with full Strain Gauge performance displays and lighting intensity control

SG-610 - Dedicated Preamp for Strain gauge Plus ONE Line input- Front panel "touch" & Remote control for volume, mute and power; full Strain Gauge performance displays; lighting intensity control

SG-600 - Dedicated Preamp for Strain Gauge - Same as 610, no remote control

SG-510 - Dedicated Preamp for Strain Gauge and full function preamp - SG input plus 4 line inputs & tape monitor; Front panel "touch" & Remote control for input switching, volume, mute and power - NO DISPLAYS

SG-500 - Dedicated Preamp for Strain Gauge and full function preamp - same as SG-510, but no remote control

SG-410 - Dedicated SG Preamp Plus ONE Line Input- Remote & Manual control for Volume, mute & power

SG-400 - Dedicated SG Preamp Plus ONE line input - Manual Volume, mute & power

Testimonials:

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.

Recently, listening room challenges have been better addressed, and this has allowed for much more precision setup. As HTA/Zenith and Azimuth were carefully adjusted, the smallest details in the mix to the largest dynamics were further liberated in an utterly coherent fashion. Subtle details of timbre and texture were even more beautiful, and the soundstage of recordings is simply 'there'.

After a lifetime of collecting vinyl and cartridges to play them, I have settled happily on the Soundsmith strain-gauge system. It speaks the truth, and it has singular virtues. It is for all practical purposes noise-free, its resolution is the highest I know, and its wear on groove walls the lowest. As a record producer, I audition test cuts on lacquers which are famously fragile. The strain-gauge cartridge can play them repeatedly with no sign of damage.