Crossword Genius

Recalled start of the set, you see, as sounding the most appealing (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cutest

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the most appealing' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'recalled start of the set you see' is the wordplay.
'recalled' says the letters should be written in reverse (to recall can mean to bring something back).
'start of' indicates taking the first letters.
'you' becomes 'u' (commonly used in online communication).
'see' becomes 'C' (the word for the letter, according to Chambers).
The initial letter of 'the' is 't'.
't'+'set'+'u'+'c'='tsetuc'
'tsetuc' in reverse letter order is 'CUTEST'.

'as sounding' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cutest that I've seen before include "Most quaint and attractive" , "Most attractive in an endearing way" , "Most astute" , "Most appealing" , "Smartest" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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