artisan_audio
Audio explorer
The Strain Gauge cartridge was awarded "Best of Show" at last month's Rocky Mountain Audio Fest by the respected webzine Steremojo:
http://www.stereomojo.com/RMAF 2008/RMAF2008BESTOFSHOW.htm
A Strain Gauge owner has posted an informative review on Audiogon:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ranlg&1227193071&openmine&zzVac_man&4&5#Vac_man
Finally, Stereophile in the US has listed the Soundsmith SMMC-1 as a runner up in its' Best Analogue and Best Budget product of the year categories.
The Aida is essentially the same cartridge, except the best measuring 5% of SMMC-1 production are mounted in ebony bodies.
Soundsmith cartridge prices remain unchanged until the end of December. Here's the pricing for the UK and US on the Aida:
Aida UK - £495, US - $899
http://www.stereomojo.com/RMAF 2008/RMAF2008BESTOFSHOW.htm
A Strain Gauge owner has posted an informative review on Audiogon:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ranlg&1227193071&openmine&zzVac_man&4&5#Vac_man
Finally, Stereophile in the US has listed the Soundsmith SMMC-1 as a runner up in its' Best Analogue and Best Budget product of the year categories.
The Aida is essentially the same cartridge, except the best measuring 5% of SMMC-1 production are mounted in ebony bodies.
Soundsmith cartridge prices remain unchanged until the end of December. Here's the pricing for the UK and US on the Aida:
Aida UK - £495, US - $899