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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
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,402 posts
 
I sure don't have the experience that some here do but I found my Sussurro the easiest cartridge I've ever owned to set-up. Maybe I just got lucky?
tonyptony OP
617 posts
 
Maybe, @slaw . I set up my Benz SL when I first got a 3D arm in about 5 minutes. I figured the cart alignment gods were smiling on me that day. 
kramth
2 posts
 
I added a new Sussurro to my table in January and have enjoyed it very much all year. Then recently, after seeing a notice on Analogue Corner from MF about a few WallyTraktors still being available, I ordered one to use with my Helius Omega arm. Wow. After just a few minutes (well maybe a half hour) of readjustment and suddenly the cart sounds WAY better. I've got the arm as low as I can with my setup and the arm is just a hair's breadth above horizontal. The VTF is 2.15 to compensate a bit for the slightly high arm and the SRA looks good in my scope. Yes, I did tweak the azimuth a bit by ear as well. At any rate, everything now sounds as I'd always hoped but thought wasn't quite possible with my equipment. Surface noise is nonexistent on most good vinyl and the soundstage is to die for now. And believe me I've spent many hours messing with everything from tweaks to amps trying to get to this place. 
So yes, from my 40+ years' experience, these styli are indeed tricky to get aligned just right. but boy is it worth it!
dhite71
318 posts
 
@tonyptony 
What happened with your surface noise?  I was very surprised to read about your trouble.  I got a new Sussurro a few weeks ago.  I previously had a Benz Micro Wood SM.  The SS was definitely quieter.  I have a Rega table and simply mounted and eyeballed the alignment.
tonyptony OP
617 posts
 
Hi @dhite71. At the moment I have no update for you. I was running a Benz LP-S nicely until I packed up my house for my retirement move. At the moment now, only the digital side of my system is set up in the new house. I need to get the room painted, the rug installed, the electrical done, before I unpack that behemoth of a VPI Avenger and set it up. I don’t want to do that more than once! :-) I do plan to hook the Sussurro back up, though. 
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