Strain gauge vs Zyx 4D/Atmos

Paul and I heard the Strain Gauge in Peter's room at RMAF 2008 (apparently not the current version). We're also intimately familiar with ZYX 4D/Atmos, having penned the first ever review of that cartridge. See my signature.

From this experience I agree with much of what Peter wrote. We would not consider moving from one of these cartridges to the other to be a lateral move. They are very different cartridges with very different strengths and weaknesses. Our own preference for one over the other was quite strong, and for specific reasons having nothing to do with Raul's concerns.

If you like a pure, simple, dynamic sound that's quiet, accurate and makes no errors of commission, the Strain Gauge we heard might work for you. OTOH, if like my partner and me you are very (some would say inordinately) sensitive to the presence (or absence) and accuracy of upper order harmonics, if you enjoy very low level detail, then the ZYX is more likely to satisfy.

If you enjoy the strength of the 4D/Atmos in these areas and simply want more, buy a UNIverse or get your hands on a Lyra Olympos or Ortofon A90. Any of these outperform the Strain Gauge we heard in the reproduction of harmonic subtleties.

Those sonic priorities are ours of course. Only you can decide on yours.

Well, then I would take Strain Gauge any day.

Dear Slowlearner: This is what you posted:

+++++ " I can tell you that it is a different animal altogether from magnetic devices.... " +++++

++++ " It is a different animal - that is the bottom line. Nothing is perfect, " +++++

these are what I posted:

++++ " That you like it more the SS or the Zyx does not means one is better than the other both are different: " ++++ " All depend what you want, "

+++++ " and if you want to listen a different approach then you could hear the SS " +++++

and this what Dougdeacon posted:

+++ " They are very different cartridges with very different strengths and weaknesses. " +++++

You can see that what I'm saying is not different from what you or Dougdeacon stated.

I even not posted any statement regarding " preferences ", I don't posted that I don't like it or said to Leicachap: " don't buy it " or stay away from it ".

Even Dougdeacon posted that prefer the A-90 or Olympos in some audio performance areas over the SS. I did not nothing like this and I never posted anywhere in the forum any cartridge comparison trying to dimish the SS. I think that all I made it was to say is different.
You can read any of my posts elsewhere on the subject, IMHO there is no single attack but a simple explanation on the ss differences against MC/MM/MI cartridges and that's all, you said is different and I agree with you!

As I posted, I'm not against you in anyway: I have no single reason to.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I am trying to not add any more fuel to the topic, but would like to ask Peter this question. Has any customer that Could afford the Strain Gauge go for the Sussuro/Paua instead? Or is the Sussuro short in performance against the Strain Guage?

A good phono Stage(say 3 to 5k) + the Sussuro is well above the basic Strain Guage package.

Sorry about all the questions, but i cant seem to find any direct comparisons between your Susurro range and Straingauge.

Yesterday i finally heard a Straingauge on one turntable and a Lyra Kleos going through a RCM phono on another. Both sounded great to me ears, with the prize going to the Lyra/Kleos Combo. Mind you the Kleos was mounted on a Kuzma 4point and a Stabi XL turntable and the Straingauge was on a Kuzma Stogi Reference arm and Kuzma Reference Turntable. So really we were not really comparing apples with apples.

Dear Leicachamp;

If the Lyra sounded better, that's great. THe whole purpose of this endeavor is to find what works for you.

As to the differences between the Strain Gauge and the Sussurro, I would say that They are day and night. 80 percent of fols who hear the two prefer the SG. About 2 days per month, I prefer the Sussurro. The Sussurro has gotten very high marks, for with we are very glad. We have a new top of the line MI cart being introduced at RMAF called the Hyperion. It is a collaboration with Frank Schroder, and we are excited to play it for folks. It does lots of things the SG does, so.....exciting.

I somewha agree with the statements made above, but, the statement about micro detail I would take some issue with, as if you will read in the owners reviews, that was one of their strong points about the Strain Gauge. I am happy to discuss the responses to magnetics VS. SG carts with you on the phone - I will be in the office tomorrow and part of wednesday, but then leaving for RMAF. Please feel free to call.

Peter Ledermann/Soundsmith