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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
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
@tonyptony  I can’t remember the final number re VTA but I was clearly getting results that trended better (that’s until I ran out of room to lower my tonearm further, purely a function of some challenges I have in setup on my table, another 1mm would be ideal)

The AM setup seemed to optimize especially well for clarity and channel separation. Probably not as “organic” and “analog like” as the prior setup, but that’s a trend I see the more I optimize my vinyl rig, it sounds more and more like digital ie flat tonal response, very clear and open, no compression etc
tonyptony OP
626 posts
 
The AM setup seemed to optimize especially well for clarity and channel separation.


Yes, this is what I've been concluding as well.

lewm
13,442 posts
 
If you ever do consult Peter Ledermann regarding your issue with the Sussuro please let us know what he says. He was very helpful to me when I had an issue with a Grace Ruby re-tip. And no one knows the sussuro better than he.
hdm
1,063 posts
 
Peter's OCL is without question, and by far, the most difficult stylus profile to dial in with respect to overall setup that I've ever had to deal with. Extremely sensitive to VTA in particular with respect to how noisy it will be in the groove but also VTF and azimuth of course.

There will be a very narrow window with respect to VTA/SRA in terms of how it will perform with respect to not exaggerating groove/surface noise once it has broken in. It will be interesting to see if that setting conforms to what the AM software is telling you.

I'd agree with other posters about putting 50-60 hours on the cartridge before really getting serious on the setup. IMO, once you have azimuth set up properly you will then need to experiment with very small incremental changes in VTA/SRA along with similarly small changes in VTF at the same time (I'd be inclined to going higher into the recommended range of VTF than lower) to try and nail the setting.

You will know it when you hear it and it will be much easier for you if your arm has VTA on the fly adjustment (mine does not).

But virtually any other line contact stylus (including Peter's on his mid level retip) is much easier and more forgiving to set up. Any of the microridge styli are even more forgiving IMO.
lewm
13,442 posts
 
Ditto for me with my Grace Ruby re-tip, using the OCL stylus.  When it's good, it's very very good.  Etc.
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