2. analog
  3. 148528-2484

Sussurro MkII and surface noise?

I know there are a bunch of folks here using the SoundSmith Susurro MkII. I just finished setting mine up on my VPI Avenger and really the first thing I noticed is how much more surface noise it picks up off my records. I mean, by a lot. My previous go to cart has been a Benz Wood SL, one of the later ones with the MR stylus. I found that to be relatively quiet. The SS uses a O.C. Line Contact type stylus - not quite the same as a MR, but if anything I'd have thought it would be contacting areas of the groove not as heavily traveled as with the MR stylus, thinking it might be either the same or quieter. Not the case by a long shot. Anyone else experience higher surface noise with the Sussurro MkII?
tonyptony

Showing 2 responses by mijostyn

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
The Sussurro should handily out track any of the Benz cartridges.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Tony, Once the azimuth is set, tracking force and anti skate dialed in. start with the tone arm bearing end low, just below were the tone arm is parallel to the record. Raise the rear a degree at a time listening to the noise in between. Give the noise a rating at each level write it down. At some point the noise will drop off then start going up again. Back off to where the noise is quietest. Set the Azimuth with mirror and the anti skate with a test record. These have to be right on. The last thing you do is the VTA. This will be the quietest you can get this cartridge. Differences in frequency response can make one cartridge sound noisier than others. 


More to discover