Inspired by Frank Schröder, designed and individually crafted by Peter Ledermann.....Soundsmith's long awaited NEW top of the line moving Iron cartridge, the Sussurro . ___
"Frank Schröder is not only a highly gifted tone arm designer and builder but also one of the most insightful audio engineers alive today. In an informal meeting at an audio show it would have been easy to have overlooked his suggestion that I work on a low output moving iron cartridge design. However his reasoning was impeccable and the seed for a new product was sown. Frank has been testing our prototypes throughout the development phase, providing his insightful and invaluable feedback along the way.
But the other inside story of The Sussurro is that it is a cartridge designed to specifically address the most critical issues of cartridge design. Because the laws of physics don't change all that often, cartridges must adhere to first principles, and do it carefully - to get sublime results.
In accord with those laws, the Sussurro has an unbelievably low effective moving mass. Among the important benefits of that is the increased effect of the damping system - which means it can be reduced - a critical requirement for retrieving micro detail and not glossing over what you want to hear. The unique Sussurro damping system has been critically tuned as well ~ so that ALL primary resonances are absolutely tamed. Then all critical stationary parts are fixed rigidly within its tiny magnetic structure and the fully shielded magnetic case is engineered for extreme stability - holding all non-moving parts in exact position at all times.
Finally, an innovative energy distribution system designed to effectively transfer the mechanical energy away from the cantilever through the cartridge body into the tone arm.
We are very pleased. You will be too - but be cautioned - when you cue down to listen to just one track, you will wind up playing the complete side and be very late for your meeting. Happens every time." -Peter Ledermann, President of Soundsmith ___
"Dear Peter [President of Soundsmith],
In the past few years I have auditioned many high end expensive cartridges looking for the one that pushes my button. I prefer ultra low moving mass cartridges because they sound so smooth on voices and strings with no high frequency edge.
I have spent many hours listening to your low output Sussurro and I am in love with it. It plays everything with ease and grace. Super smooth, perfect balance, great detail, huge soundstage and pin point imaging. There is no hint of stylus resonance which can cause high frequencies to "pull" in the back of the room on my Dolby ProLogic II surround reference system.
I also listen to old recordings from the late 50’s and early 60’s. Most of these recordings are not audiophile quality but sound surprisingly good and are fun to listen to on the Sussurro. I have not heard a magnetic cartridge that I like any better regardless of cost. It plays everything!" -Jim Fosgate ___
"Dear Jim,
I must thank you for your comments and support of this design. As your career attests, you are a superbly experienced and highly creative audio engineer, leaving me well aware that your knowledge of high end analog playback systems spans many years.
Although you are best known for being the inventor/developer of Dolby ProLogic, your expansive career in audio underscores how grateful I am to receive your comments. Thank you for your continued support, and I am looking forward to the collaborations you suggested.....AND so pleased at receiving both your hand made MC/MM tube preamp to use with my MI cartridges, as well as your prototype TUBE Strain Gauge preamp design...can it get any better than this??? We will ponder that thought together over a beer at RMAF.
Best regards." -Peter Ledermann, President of Soundsmith
Features
Ultra low effective moving mass resulting in superlative transient and micro detail performance
Single Crystal Ruby Cantilever
Selected “Optimized Contour” nude Contact Line diamond stylus
Tracks from 1.8 to 2.2 grams
Channel separation > 34dB
Compliance = 10
Body Weight = 8.79 Grams
Output - 0.3mV
Azimuth &/SRA adjustable at cartridge body
Virtually hum-free operation due to six sided magnetic shielding
Tecnical Data
Stylus Contact Line Nude, 0.100mm SQ
Radius of curvature Optimized Contour Contact Line SELECTED
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