Soundsmith SG-230 Strain Gauge System
This product is masterfully hand-made in New York, USA. Please allow a 6 - 12 Week lead time after your purchase. There is occasionally a shorter lead time, depending on production runs. We will keep you up to date on your orders progress throughout.
Specifications
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Shipping & Returns
We offer free shipping on any product over $99. For full details please see our Shipping Policy.
Our returns policy lasts 30 days. If 30 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately, we may not be able to offer you a refund or exchange. For full details please see our Refund Policy.
Soundsmith SG-230 Strain Gauge System
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, bi-amping 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 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 defeat-able 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.
SG-5 Stylus
Nude Contact Line/Ruby Cantilever (standard design supplied with SG cartridge)
SG-6 Stylus
Nude “Optimised Contour” Contact Line/Ruby Cantilever- Stylus holder is red
What is a Strain Gauge System?
A Strain Gauge System is a sophisticated technology used in turntables to read the grooves on vinyl records with exceptional precision. Unlike traditional moving magnet or moving coil cartridges, a strain gauge cartridge doesn't generate a voltage directly. Instead, it measures the microscopic deformations (strain) in a stylus or cantilever caused by the grooves.
This system typically involves a tiny, flexible strip called a strain gauge bonded to the cantilever. As the stylus encounters variations in the groove, the strain gauge deforms, and its electrical resistance changes proportionally. This change in resistance is then converted into an electrical signal, offering a highly accurate representation of the original audio.
One major advantage of strain gauge systems is their ability to capture details and subtleties in the music with minimal distortion, providing a more faithful reproduction of the recording.
A wild departure from the MM/MC norm, Soundsmith's SG joins a select group including TechDAS' TDC01 Ti, top Koetsus and others of that ilk, as well as the equally-unusual DS Audio designs.
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How long will it take for my item to be delivered?
It depends on where you are in Australia. Typically orders will take 1-2 business day to dispatch & 2-5 business days to arrive if you are on the east coast.
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What is your return policy?
Our policy lasts 30 days. If 30 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately, we may not be able to offer you a refund or exchange.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unopened, unused and in the same condition that you received it. if applicable it must also be returned in the same outer packaging it was shipped in.
For more details visit our Refund Policy page.
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