SoundSmith Strain Gauge Cartridge Systems

Soundsmith Strain Gauge Systems

Soundsmith Strain Gauges are sold as systems ~ Cartridge and choice of preamp

All Soundsmith SG systems have user replaceable styli

SG-200

Our basic Strain Gauge system features fixed level line outputs suited for line level inputs on your system preamplifier. The supplied SG cartridge comes with the SG-5 stylus assembly as standard, however, you may purchase the system with the SG-6 stylus for a surcharge of $100 at the time of ordering. Like all SG preamps, the SG-200 features an auto-mute circuit that protects your system and speakers from transients due to an accidentally dropped styli. The front panel defeatable auto-mute also allows quiet introductions to playing or recording your vinyl.

All SG systems feature user replaceable styli, however, due to the nature of the cartridge design, styli are individually matched to each cartridge. If additional styli are desired, it is highly advisable to order them with your system order. The SG-200 is supplied in a black anodized case, however, custom wooden cases in black or mahogany are also available as accessory items.

SG-210

Our SG-210 features both +15dB single ended variable outputs and fixed outputs. The +15 dB variable outputs allow using the SG-210 directly with your power amplifier, eliminating the requirement for a line amplifier in a vinyl playback system. They may also be used to match levels with other line sources in a multi-source system. The fixed level outputs may be used for recording or sourcing into a second system, and are not affected by the volume control.

The supplied SG cartridge comes with the SG-5 stylus assembly as standard, however, you may purchase the system with the SG-6 stylus for a surcharge of $100 at the time of ordering. Like all SG preamps, the SG-210 features an auto-mute circuit that protects your system and speakers from transients due to an accidentally dropped styli. The front panel defeatable auto-mute also allows quiet introductions to playing or recording your vinyl.

All SG systems feature user replaceable styli, however, due to the nature of the cartridge design, styli are individually matched to each cartridge. If additional styli are desired, it is highly advisable to order them with your system order. The SG-210 is supplied in a black anodized case, however, custom wooden cases in black or mahogany are also available as accessory items.

SG-230 (New!)

Our new SG-230 is a full-function system preamp with Strain Gauge circuitry as well as 4 line inputs and remote control over input selection, volume and muting. It features balanced +15dB variable outputs and single ended fixed outputs. The balanced outputs are available via split phase RCA jacks, convertible to XLR with our supplied RCA to XLR adapters. The +15dB balanced variable output is made available via RCA jacks which configures the output of the SG-230 into a highly adaptable unit, allowing easy bridging of two stereo amplifiers into double power mono blocks, subwoofer driving, biamping or sourcing into a secondary system. The fixed level outputs may be used for recording or sourcing into a second system, and are not affected by the volume control.

The supplied SG cartridge comes with the SG-5 stylus assembly as standard, however, you may purchase the system with the SG-6 stylus for a surcharge of $100 at the time of ordering. Like all SG preamps, the SG-230 features an auto-mute circuit that protects your system and speakers from transients due to an accidentally dropped styli. The front panel defeatable auto-mute also allows quiet introductions to playing or recording your vinyl.

All SG systems feature user replaceable styli, however, due to the nature of the cartridge design, styli are individually matched to each cartridge. If additional styli are desired, it is highly advisable to order them with your system order.

The SG-230 is supplied in mahogany wood case as standard, black wood is also available on special order.

Replacement Styli

• SG-1: Bonded Shibata/Aluminum Cantilever ~ NO LONGER AVAILABLE
• SG-2: Nude Elliptical, Aluminum cantilever ~ $499.95
• SG-3: Special 1 mil radius conical (for vintage 48-49 records) ~ SPECIAL ORDER
• SG-4: 78 RPM stylus – EQ in line device should be used ~ $749.95
• SG-5: Nude Contact Line/Ruby Cantilever (standard design supplied with SG cartridge) ~ If Purchased separately ~ Stylus holder is black ~ $749.95
• SG-6: Nude "Optimized Contour" Contact Line/Ruby Cantilever~ Stylus holder is red ~ $949.95
• SG-7: Boron cantilever with Micro Ridge Stylus. Excellent choice ~ $1150 – Harder to break and maintains its performance over the 1000 hour lifetime (due to the Micro-Ridge design)

Warranty

5 Years Parts and Labor

Technical Information

Soundsmith's SG cartridges are not magnetic cartridges, and do not require RIAA equalization - flat response is automatically produced by virtue of their being "displacement" measuring devices, as opposed to magnetic "voltage generating velocity dependent" devices. The cartridge works extremely well in all medium to high mass arms with standard 4 wire tone arm wiring. Due to the cartridge being non-inductive, it is far less sensitive to cabling in the tone arm and from the arm to the preamp when compared to any other cartridge design.

Power Supply Information

All three models are powered by two identical external analog DC wall type power supplies - 24 VDC @ 500 Milliamps. Two are supplied and are required for each SG preamp system. The use of external power supplies helps keep the noise floor extremely low, and allows compliance with power regulations for varied countries.

The SG-230 comes with two supplies and our WWE filter device, which connects in-line with the cables from the two wall supplies. The WWE ensures that the DC power being supplied to the SG-230 is extremely clean and noise free in terms of ripple current and RF noise coming from the AC wall supply in any environment.

Power supplies are available in 120 VAC or 210-230 VAC as required for use outside of the US in some countries.

Replacement Styli Information

Replacement Styli: These are tuned for each cartridge and system. If you have one good stylus, we can build others to match by having the stylus and cartridge only. If you do not have one good stylus, we will need both the cartridge and electronics to build new styli for you. Styli can be easily moved in and out of the cartridge body by the owner.