Soundsmith Progression: MIMC Star > Sussurro Mk II

I usually set up my own tables but for the VPI HW set it up in the shop at Cliffwood so I’m guessing he got the StP distance correct.

Cool. Would love to hear your impressions!

Good discussion here...thanks everyone. Just to add for those thinking about the MIMC Star. I would echo the list of points made by Slaw for this model as well. Ease of set up, love the wings protecting the cantilever, very quiet, incredible staging--very wide, deep with excellent location. Tonally spot on--very clean but also faithful to the tone across the board. I liked the MIMC Star very much until I replaced my speakers with a pair from the same manufacturer--Daedalus Audio. The new Apollo's have the same house sound as my old pair but are more resolving and a little leaner in the mid bass region. My respect for the MIMC Star has jumped considerably--this is a cartridge that can really be partnered with some great equipment. It will deliver the goods and then some. I can only imagine what happens with the Sussuro MKII. 

I appreciate all the comments so far. I agree that the Soundsmith cartridges will play up as you improve your system around them--I did not fully appreciate what the MIMC Star could do until I upgraded my speakers and cabling. The MIMC Star stepped right in stride and is really letting me see what the new components are capable of in my system.

Ended up selling my VPI and going in a different direction. I'm now enjoying a Sempersonus TE-2 idler-type (inner rim drive) table with a 12" TW Raven arm and a Charisma Signature One cartridge. I like the MIMC Star but felt it never achieved the same level of performance as the ART 9 it replaced. It did a few things better but the ART 9 is an exceptionally well-balanced cartridge and a great value for money. The Charisma, while paired with an entirely different arm and table, is clearly in another league all together. I doubt the Sussuro can touch it though they are priced similarly.