Next steps with Soundsmith Fixed Coil cartridges

spiritofmusic

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2013
14,601
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E. England
Thanks Hogen. I'm good friends w Lagonda here. He tells me Denmark opens the same time.

Ironically, I don't really have the cash priority for any audio purchases at all, but Straingauge stylii are an obligatory final ongoing expense in this hobby even if indeed my fortunes don't turn around...aka Covid-19 spikes, Covid-21, -22 ad infinitum. At just £7-10/wk saved budget for a stylus change every 2-3 yrs, hugely affordable.

Indeed, all other alternatives cost me WAY more (ie new cart and phono).
And the way I see it is, I would be spending this money w Peter later in the year. Spend it now w him, and he gets cashflow when he REALLY needs it.

This hobby will be only weakened and damaged if legends like Peter Lederman fold. In addition to his invaluable knowledge and experience, it's now the exception rather than the rule to have prices at uber vfm Soundsmith levels. Otoh, top carts are easily reaching $15k+.

With Soundsmith models Hyperion and Straingauge well below $10k, and the Straingauge obviating the expense of a phono, we're still talking prices that the middle class can afford, and get a taste of the upper class.
 
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fbhifi

Well-Known Member
Dec 20, 2013
171
235
350
Okatie, SC
I’ve been exclusively playing a Hyperion OCL Signature, AKA- Pick of the Litter (Peter is a gifted dog whisperer) since late 2018. It easily bested any other cartridge I’ve tried in my system, including Ortofon Anna and Lyra Etna SL. It has a certain musical rightness bottom to top balance and neutrality with no elevated or over prominent frequencies present. It is beautifully transparent, as well.This combination of qualities can be hard to find in so many current MC designs, at any price. The Anna is neutral if not somewhat boring compared to the Hyperion. I killed myself trying to tame the Etna SL high frequency issues and wisely gave up before I re-tuned my entire system for this anomaly. Get the Hyperion dialed in and you will focus on the music and forget about the system.

Regarding the long term cost of ownership no other manufacturer, to my knowledge, offers a FREE 10 Year re-tip. Additionally a full rebuild is $850. In a world of $7500+ re-builds this is simply remarkable and speaks volumes about Peter’s most generous, more than reasonable approach to serving his customers.

Overlook the Hyperion at your peril and don’t be fooled by it’s relatively low price (in the an audiophool cartridge world gone utterly mad) this cartridge is the real deal an end game performer.
 
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hogen

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2018
138
100
148
Oslo, Norway
I’ve been exclusively playing a Hyperion OCL Signature, AKA- Pick of the Litter (Peter is a gifted dog whisperer) since late 2018. It easily bested any other cartridge I’ve tried in my system, including Ortofon Anna and Lyra Etna SL. It has a certain musical rightness bottom to top balance and neutrality with no elevated or over prominent frequencies present. It is beautifully transparent, as well.This combination of qualities can be hard to find in so many current MC designs, at any price. The Anna is neutral if not somewhat boring compared to the Hyperion. I killed myself trying to tame the Etna SL high frequency issues and wisely gave up before I re-tuned my entire system for this anomaly. Get the Hyperion dialed in and you will focus on the music and forget about the system.

Regarding the long term cost of ownership no other manufacturer, to my knowledge, offers a FREE 10 Year re-tip. Additionally a full rebuild is $850. In a world of $7500+ re-builds this is simply remarkable and speaks volumes about Peter’s most generous, more than reasonable approach to serving his customers.

Overlook the Hyperion at your peril and don’t be fooled by it’s relatively low price (in the an audiophool cartridge world gone utterly mad) this cartridge is the real deal an end game performer.

I would really like to try the Hyperion myself, hope Soundsmith makes it through the lockdowns.
 

spiritofmusic

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2013
14,601
5,411
1,278
E. England
Haha, it takes a Covid crisis, and cautionary words from Peter, for the love to be broadcast.

FB, Peter's carts REALLY are special. And the vfm factor is off the scale...
just how much does it cost to retip the new breed of $15k+ carts out there?

FB, I would love to consider the Hyperion. If the Straingauge has any shortcoming, it's a tendency to trade absolute bloom for lightning speed. A nice tubed pre w the Hyperion could be v tasty indeed.
 

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