dhite, I am surprised you got rebuffed by both Peter Ledermann and your dealer who sold you the Sussuro. The former is perhaps excusable if PL was just having a bad day. The latter is inexcusable, because it constitutes poor customer service. SS did a re-tip for me several years ago, and the results were not good. I reported my dissatisfaction to Peter, in the context of a phone call, and while it may have required two or three contacts, he did finally ask me to return it for his personal inspection. In the event, he did find a fault with the work done in his shop, fixed it, and sent it back with no charge and a sort of apology. I cannot imagine why he would not offered at the very least to have you return the cartridge for his inspection. Perhaps he is overwhelmed with the work these days. May I ask what resistive load you did use with the Sussuro? Thanks.
Cartridge Advice Please
I would love to hear from others that have traveled the same or a similar path.
My system is the previous Gen of Audio Research REF gear with the 75SE amp, 5SE preamp and 2SE phonostage with the Rega P10 playing Wilson Sophia 1. I listen to a lot of rock, R&B, blues, jazz, folk
My previous cartridge of about 2 years was a Benz Micro Wood SM. I got it new and loved it from the first record. My current cartridge is the Kiseki Purple Heart which I love even more and also have loved from the beginning. I got is used with about 200 hours, lol. So many people listen for 200 hours and then sell. I am fine with used but have always found that 150-200 hour statistic funny.
It has been about 9 months and I am happy with every other aspect of my system so would like to experiment with a new cartridge. Here are the ones that didn't work
SoundSmith Sussuro MkII ES - I liked it but with a 0.4mV rating it required my 5SE volume to be around 20 higher than the Purple Heart rated at 0.48mV. That makes no sense and it caused a buzz to be audible from my speakers between albums/tracks when listening at moderately loud volumes. Mr. Peter said there was nothing wrong with it and felt no need for me to send it in so I sold it.
Rega Aphelion 2 - This came used on my P10 and my mind was set on selling to justify the P10 upgrade so not sure I gave it the best chance but it sounded bright to me.
Rega Apheta 3 - Same deal as above, came on my previous RP10 and also sounded bright.
My initial thoughts are:
Koetsu
Lyra
Higher level Benz
Ortofon