Soundsmith Sussurro Gold Mk II ES Limited Edition Moving Iron Cartridge
“MCs were my reference for highest-quality LP playback- until I heard records played with a Soundsmith Sussurro MI, which (inspired by tonearm designer Frank Schroder) features ultralow effective moving mass, low voltage output, and a ruby-crystal cantilever with a nude line-contact diamond stylus. I heard the Sussurro only briefly, but I remember thinking, This could be the best cartridge that ever was!”
— HERB REICHERT, STEREOPHILE, 2015
“The Sussurro is a unique cartridge... It traced the grooves quietly and tracked them very well. It wasn't the last word in resolution of detail, but it came very close. Most important, its tonal balance was pleasingly neutral, slightly accenting midrange lushness. If you listen to mostly acoustic music and your tastes run toward warmth and lushness, but with plenty of detail and robust top end, you can't go wrong with the Soundsmith Sussurro.”
— MICHAEL FREMER, STEREOPHILE, 2012
Made in the USA. Rebuild Price? $750 - Less than 20% of MSRP!
The Sussurro Gold embodies critical design decisions, realized. It features a very low internal mass, excellent damping, and an esoteric stylus and cantilever designed to stay in constant contact with the record.
The cartridge was inspired by Frank Schröder, and designed and individually handmade by Peter Ledermann. The Soundsmith Sussurro Gold is a cartridge designed to specifically address the most intricate and critical issues of cartridge design. The new MKII Gold has a newly designed moving iron element to reduce moving mass by 70%; extremely low stored energy, the new MKII damping system, and an innovative energy distribution path to effectively transfer mechanical energy away from the cantilever through the cartridge body into the tone arm.
All this means a cartridge that stays in constant contact with the record groove allowing you to hear what has truly been recorded.
Specifications
Type: Fixed Coil / Moving Iron
Mount: Standard ½”
Stylus: Contact Line, Nude, 0.10 mm SQ
Radius of Curvature: Microridge Selected
Cantilever: Boron
Recommended Tracking Force: 1.8 - 2.2 g
Effective Tip Mass: 0.3 mg
Compliance: 10 µm/mN
Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz ± 1.0 dB
Output Voltage (5cm/sec): > 0.40 mV (LOW)
DC Resistance (DCR): 10Ω
Coil Inductance Per Channel: 2.75 mH
Suggested Preamp Gain: 58 - 64 dB
Recommended Load Resistance: ≥ 470Ω
Cartridge Weight: 12.2 g (ES series)
