Soundsmith Sussurro Mk II ES Series Hand-Made Low-Output Cartridge

Soundsmith ES Series

SOUNDSMITH Sets a New Sonic Bar with the ES Series —

“Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover.” – Peter
Ledermann.

The ES line features not only a dramatic new look, but is a
significant evolution of the DEMS system design (Dynamic Energy Management
System). All model names have been preserved, and pricing remains the same.

The new Soundsmith ES cartridge designs are a significant
advancement in cartridge performance due to their ability to direct internal
vibrational forces without reflection and disperse them properly to the tone
arm. The absence of reflections enables the stylus to stay in far greater
statistical contact with the groove walls — a critically important technical
refinement. Increased liquidity and reduced “grain,” without loss of detail are
some of the immediately discernible advantages of Soundsmith’s new ES models.

Every cartridge in the line now features the sleek new ES
body design and allows azimuth adjustment when used in tonearms that do not
permit it. The new ES body also allows an electrical isolation method for
tables that hum due to ground loops.

The upgrade is far more than cosmetic; the new shape is a
departure from the reflective and “boxy” design of many cartridges whose
internal construction contribute to uncontrolled vibrational issues adversely
effecting performance. Peter says, “Think of how singing in an open field
compares with singing in a shower.” Soundsmith has always challenged
conventions, looking deeper into nuances of cartridge design that dramatically
affect immediate and long term performance. These have included extreme
reductions of moving mass and the use of novel materials and designs. The new
ES lineup is a continuation of that research and development.

Sussurro mk II ES Series

Made in  the USA. Rebuild Price? $650
– Less than 20% of MSRP ! ~  The Sussurro mk II features
a 2 year warranty to the original owner.

The Sussurro ~ critical design decisions, realized. Lowest
internal mass. Best damping. Esoteric stylus and cantilever. If you need
to stay in constant contact, your cartridge has arrived.  

Inspired by Frank Schröder, designed and individually hand
made by Peter Ledermann, Soundsmith’s Sussurro is a cartridge designed to
specifically address the most intricate and critical issues of cartridge
design. The new MKII Sussurro 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. So what does all this mean??

Low jitter. Jitter? You probably thought that was a term
reserved for digital systems. Not so. Stylus jitter is responsible for loss of
detail, and making a cartridge sound, well, like a cartridge. The Sussurro
stays in constant contact with the record groove. If you are not in constant
contact, you can’t hear what has truly been recorded.

Cartridge Type

Fixed Coil

Stylus Type

O.C. Contact Line

Output

Low

Output Voltage

.4 mV

Available As Dual Coil Mono

Yes

Additional Specifications

Stylus: Contact Line Nude, 0.100mm SQ
Radius of curvature: Optimized Contour Contact Line SELECTED
Cantilever: Ruby
Recommended tracking force: 1.8 to 2.2 grams
Effective tip mass: 0.30 mg
Compliance: 10 μm/mN (low compliance)
Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz ± 1.0 dB
Channel separation (stereo only): 1000 Hz >34 dB; 50-15,000 >25 dB
Channel difference: <0.5 dB (Stereo), <1.0 dB (Mono)
Output Voltage: ≥0.40 mV
DC Resistance (DCR): 10-11 Ω each channel
Coil Inductance: 2.75 mH each channel
Suggested Preamp Gain: 58-64 dB
Cartridge weight: 12.2 grams
Loading: ≥ 470 Ω