I heard a Strain Gauge cartridge. And I liked it. Until I knew "it only works with a special preamplifier". I mean, a hardcore BH doesn't buy blackboxes, does he? (well, maybe a DAC je, je, je).
But I kept studying. And I learned that:
1. There's "vintage" strain gauge cartridges. Not only the expensive modern one with the black box attached.
2. SGs are semiconductors that behave resistively and the resistance varies with pressure.
3. Because of 2 above the cartridge needs a bias current.
4. The nature of being pressure sensitive, vs speed sensitive (as MM or MC cartridges are) implies that their response is close to that of the RIAA curve. ie no equalization is required (there's arguments on both sides here
But I kept studying. And I learned that:
1. There's "vintage" strain gauge cartridges. Not only the expensive modern one with the black box attached.
2. SGs are semiconductors that behave resistively and the resistance varies with pressure.
3. Because of 2 above the cartridge needs a bias current.
4. The nature of being pressure sensitive, vs speed sensitive (as MM or MC cartridges are) implies that their response is close to that of the RIAA curve. ie no equalization is required (there's arguments on both sides here