[ARSCLIST] Advice needed on how to restore an old acoustic recording

[Eric Hollis <eric.hollis@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi.  I'm an amateur at sound restoration. I don't do it as a profession, 
just as a hobby that I really enjoy.

I purchased a Rek-O-Kut CVS-16 turntable that will play up to 16" discs, a 
Stanton 500 cartrige and two styli (2.75TC, 3.0E). I transfer everything 
thru a flat phono preamp, and do all the restoration and EQ in my software, 
DC7Live.
 
I'm trying to restore a recording from 1916. It's on the Angelophone 
label.  It is a vertical recording, seven inch, speech only.  I have 
several copies of the recording, but I think they've all been damaged to 
one extent or another.  I've tried playing them with a 2.75 TC diamond and 
a 3.0 E.  The surface noise is quite pronounced.  I attached an mp3 of a 
very short segment of the recording to let you see what I'm up against.
 
I don't have a microscope, and I don't want to continue buying styli until 
I get the right one.  
 
My question: Would anyone on the list be willing to look at and make a 
recommendation on the proper stylus to play these recordings? I'm in New 
York, and I'd be willing to send the recording to someone for evaluation 
and recommendation on what type stylus I should use.  I know it's a long 
shot, but I'd really like to do a good job restoring these recordings.  If 
anyone has any suggestions for a humble newbie, I'm listening.

Thanks for considering.
 
Sincerely, 
Eric Hollis