Soundsmith’s Peter Ledermann: Building, Mastering, & Giving Back | Stereophile

Art Dudley, Stereophile's Deputy Editor, visits specialty audio manufacturer Soundsmith in Peekskill, NY. Soundsmith's President and Chief Engineer, Peter Ledermann, gives Art a tour and talks about his charity, DirectGrace Records, among other things. Shot in April 2018.
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[@musicgems1726]

The decency of this man is inspiring, great company.

[@MrCatalysis101]

What a wonderful person Peter is. My next cartridge will be a Soundsmith. Edit June 2019: I now own one, thrilled.

[@DBigs]

Mine as well. What a brilliant guy.

[@ColocasiaCorm]

Which one did you get?

[@warfam_clan6933]

Wow, what a top bloke. The amazing work he is doing with the children and Direct Grace. A true gentleman as well. I can't believe that people don't want to learn these incredible skills anymore. To be honest, given the opportunity, I would work for him for free just to learn some of what he knows. Like Grado, this company sticks to its grassroots ethics and shows why American Audio companies can be great. My next cartridge upgrade will be a Soundsmith.

[@johnlevin2368]

I can't sing the praises of Soundsmith too much or too loudly. They check all the boxes. I have used their cartridges, preamps and more for years. All produce jaw-dropping, wonderful sound. Everything designed and manufactured in the USA. 20% re-tipping of all cartridges in perpetuity (often with other required adjustments at no charge). Friendly, helpful, detailed support (often from Peter) at your fingertips. Peter is both an immensely talented and immensely caring, wonderful person. My only complaint is that more of the world is not like Soundsmith.

[@MegaF1guy]

Watching that video made me very proud to own a Soundsmith cartridge. I am going to order one of the Direct Grace records. ABSOLUTELY a spectacular video!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers

[@johnhanselman6371]

USA owner and operator manufacturer. Not many out there but still the best. Very rare to have someone with all that knowledge and skill.

[@calebkeen8967]

I just made a big purchase direct from Soundsmith (no local dealers) after seeing this presentation. I was considering many different combinations of new carts/phono pre-amps to upgrade my current setup and can't help but support this institution. I hope Peter is well soon. RIP Art Dudley.

[@vcp93]

I love the "....so, do you think it's worth it" question when being shown the half-speed mastering lathe. You're restraint was admirable. Excellent video and awfully nice of Peter to allow the filming of his shop. Cheers!

[@josipmaslov2699]

What a impressive and inspirational man is Peter Lederman. Few weeks ago I watched RMAF 2018 - Why analog is Digital and How to Fix it. Watching and listening him mesmerize me at all, so all my everyday problems and duties were wiped out. This video (thanks for it) just widen that cognition. Great Man, Audio Expert with incredible warm heart ! All I have to do earn enough money to by one of Soundsmith's MIMC cartridges. Till then I patiently wait for my Supex SD 900, to get back rebuild from Soundsmith.

[@paulaj2829]

i must say that how wonderful it is that Vinyl records are coming back big time .. as it is so important for you to show people how wonderful Peter's work is .. love the video.. Paul

[@ianmedium]

Straight to the top of my list when I get a record deck again, any man who loves pocket watches is a man I want to do business with! Sublime Art, thank you so much for this wonderful video.

[@deeremeyer1749]

Are you an Elgin man? Hammond? Waltham? Illinois? If it isn't Elgin, it isn't worth the time, lol.

[@ianmedium]

DEEREMEYER1 I love Elgin, probably my favourite American watch!

[@chazlabreck]

Its really great to see the inner workings of the Soundsmith's factory .. I have a long career in electronics and used to do lots of repairs on turntables. The higher cost of a cartridge from Soundsmiths makes perfect sens. A great company with a great reputation.

[@FFrrEEddRRiiKK1]

It is always great to spot a true enthusiast from just a sleazy marketeer. Peter is without a doubt the first.

[@meshplates]

Fascinating. A unique operation. Very moved by his work for slave labor children and DirectGrace.

[@TONEScott]

Thee best Stereophile video ever. Wonderful watch!

[@warfam_clan6933]

I agree, seeing inside these wonderful small audio companies is fascinating. The incredible people and business ethics on show here put a lot of bigger international companies to shame.

[@Aged-Mark]

Fascinating. I was going to buy a Soundsmith Norma but I think I will donate the money to the charity. Kind of puts a few things into perspective.

[@fullranger3435]

What a great man! A creator of art and technology pieces, an employer and a philanthropist!

[@moodyga40]

wow this guy is inspirational makes me want to keep fixing and building vintage electronics

[@jamespaul5059]

Well I tuned in to see how cartridges are made and ended up having my faith in humanity restored. Thanks.

[@jnbfrancisco]

Peter should be in movies. If I could write movies scripts I would write one just for him. If I had a shop it would look just like this one. I loved the comment about the joy of working on the very small things. I thought I was the only one.

[@EddieJazzFan]

I just watched this again. RIP ART!

[@mathiaswesterstrom3136]

Love Soundsmith! Great video!

[@tobiasjames6949]

Peter is an amazing man wow, looks like a great company to work at.

[@boudas7295]

Great video .Great guys.

[@rocket3man]

I am so glad I purchased a Soundsmith cartridge after seeing this video, and hearing about the fantastic work that Peter Ledermann does. My question is who can follow such leaders?

[@luiz-figueiredo-72]

What a fascinating place.

[@joemartin6439]

God bless you Peter . America has a need to help poor poor children. I taught kids for 33 years . 78 now Sick most days . Legs 😂. My heart is warmed 🎉by this humanity alive today.

[@davidfiore3242]

Very cool! Thank you Peter!

[@Kowinaida]

What a lovely man. Any other people in the audio industry giving to charities...? Makes me want to ditch my Lyra & start using a Soundsmith.

[@cabasse_music]

a couple of years ago i sent an MMC5 cartridge off to FJS Tonabnehmer Service in germany for a retip. i regret doing so, as after a few emails back and forth they went completely radio silent, never admitted that they'd received it. (even though UPS delivery showed that it had arrived) i wish i'd checked with soundsmith first; i ended up buying a new smmc4 recently and it sounds absolutely fantastic for the price.

[@bradleykay]

Cool video. Stereophile writers should consider adding a DirectGrace LP or two to their stable of review music. It would be a nice way to spur sales and contribute to an important charity.

[@skystudios2474]

6:17 That's an audiomods tonearm, looks like a series 5. I have one on my Technics turntable.

[@cillyede]

Great vid, danke.

[@RaviDe3371]

Amazing

[@andershammer9307]

I used to be in High-End audio as a repair tech and sales guy. Had to leave because surround sound and video were taking over. I miss 2 channel audio and wish I could do it again. Repairing train control systems now. I have a lot of Tandberg equipment I'd like to get working properly. Working on a 9200 reel to reel now and the bias oscillator seems to have quit working.

[@Michael-w8v]

That is really cool! I have Marantz 2220. You have very nice marantz collection.

[@drc97086]

Neat business, ethical owner.

[@TheLordFisch]

Is there more information about the vertical cartridge (maybe even with a demo) that is shown at 33:50?

[@ianmedium]

Oh and I forgot to say, I love that Peter has Flanders and Swann!

[@Manufacture4less]

YOU BET!!!!! THEY ARE THE BEST ! I hate to admit it, but I have so many of ther songs committed to memory.......

[@fhussain44]

Anyone know where we can order the direct to disc albums mentioned in the video?

[@fhussain44]

nevermind, I found it at the bottom of their website , directgrace records banner!

[@paulaj2829]

hi Art .. can you give me some advice on my Vital Stylus which i use on my Linn K9 cartridge as i want to try some new stylus from AT-95VNM.. Hope you can help ..

[@nareshvictor4898]

Hi Soundsmith, Are all your headshells made of Magnesium or Aerospace metal? Which one is the affordable SME type for S type arm? are your hand tightening plastic SoundSmith headshell screws firm enough? Will the tightness be reliable for long time? You are blessed to live with loving electronic job. Congratulation. God Bless you, Thanks.

[@nareshvictor4898]

Very nice answer.

[@moizgroup]

I am simply moved.

[@PhillipVella]

Is that an Audiomods arm on the rega @ 6:19?

[@suheilatallah9755]

Have you ever been serviced by peter ? We have a soundsmith straingauge for 1 year and half waiting !!! And not even a messagge about it!!!

[@milcmaster]

W O W...

[@abs2fast2furios]

Am I the only one who was looking for the dog and the cactus

[@stephane_edouard]

Proud owner of a Soundsmith Paua mkII ☝️

[@cohennixon4810]

You prolly dont give a shit but if you're stoned like me atm you can stream all the new movies on instaflixxer. Have been watching with my gf recently :)

[@rykerorion1185]

@Cohen Nixon Yup, I've been using instaflixxer for months myself :)

[@manuelencalada3476]

We

[@JopStoffels]

....I think I clicked the wrong video.

[@hangar18coleccionables]

Janina, all due respect, wanna marry me?

[@Manufacture4less]

I asked her for you. She asked me if it was OK to borrow the microscope for the honeymoon evenings.

[@no-yj2cf]

This is quite possibly the best thing I have ever read

[@PhillipVella]

@@Manufacture4less Gold

[@KiloWatt304]

lol

[@mikeschumacher9715]

My OCD would go BONKERS in your office. What a train wreck.