I think that the problem can be solved without throwing the baby out with the bath water. The Ace uses a VanDenHul stylus, which is very, very quiet and really reduces surface noise, when properly aligned. Unfortunately, the Planar 2 does not have adjustable VTA. If you have not already done so, get a good protractor, with Baerwald alignment, not the crazy Rega alignment (you can download one free from the Vinyl Engine) and also buy one of the aftermarket VTA adjusters for the Rega arm. Once dialed in, surface noise will be much less noticeable. Promise.