Sumiko Cartridges
Sumiko moving coil cartridges offer an excellent combination of performance usability and high end looks.
The Blue Point is excellent value high output moving coil that is a good match for the Goldring equivalent and offers something special at higher frequencies. The Blue Point Special Evo III at combines wonderfully high-end open body looks; with a performance that is again a good match for the Dynavector equivalent. Although not quite as neutral sounding as the Dynavector; the Sumiko makes up for this by once again offering a truly beguiling top end. The higher Sumikos such as The Blackbird and Celebration moving coil cartridges have excellent reviews and maintain the family traits common to Sumikos. There are also a series of budget cartridges starting from as little as £35 for the Sumiko Oyster.
Please note: Sumiko cartridges are not available outside the UK unless purchased with an arm or turntable.
Exchange: If you already own a sumiko cartridge you can trade it in against a similar or higher grade Sumiko cartridge. The trade in value is 15% of what you paid for the old cartridge you are trading in.
Reviews
"From House of Love to Sibelius, it proved an engaging performer. Bass has pleasing authority and drive, and it passes the percussive test with ease - snapping snares and solid kick drums are an instant hit. At times it's a touch rough around the edges, and one or two competitors offer better front-to-back perspectives and some buyers may prefer a richer balance. But for me, this Sumiko's direct musical statement makes it a Best Buy at the price."
BPS, Hi-Fi Choice
Oyster
Moving magnet phono cartridge with alloy cantilever. Bonded spherical stylus, 4.0 mV output.
UK Retail: £45
Black Pearl
The Black Pearl is a moving magnet phono cartridge with alloy cantilever and bonded spherical stylus, 4.0 mV output.
UK Retail: £65
Pearl
Moving magnet phono cartridge with alloy cantilever, bonded elliptical stylus and 4.0mV output.
UK Retail: £79
Blue Point No.2
Offering exceptional performance and musicality at an affordable price the latest generation Blue Point No. 2 sets a new standard in its price class.
Moving coil design, high output, 2.5-mV, alloy cantilever,
Blue Point-cut elliptical diamond stylus, and standard 1/2"
mounting.
UK Retail: £199
Blue Point Special Evo III
The evolution of the ever-popular Blue Point Special, the EVO III raises the performance bar even higher at this highly competitive price point. Its tonal balance is remarkably smooth, exhibiting a fundamental richness and overall warmth without sacrificing musical detail and resolution. Sound stage focus and channel separation are exemplary, as is the cartridges’ ability to maintain a coherent consistency that reproduces music as a perceptual whole.
High-output moving coil design with 2.5-mV output. Chemically coated aluminum cantilever with 0.3mm x 0.7mm elliptical stylus. Ultra low-resonance open generator design. Resonance controlled mounting system provides the lowest mechanical impedance. Highly compatible with most modern tonearms.
UK Retail: £295
Blackbird
Designed for exceedingly low noise levels, wide dynamic range and the highest possilbe fidelity in its price class, Blackbird is destined to become an analog classic. Each cartridge is assembled using time honored, labor intensive techniques, hand calibrated and critically auditioned to meet the most rigorous standards of consistancy. The main advantage of high output moving coil cartridges is the elimination of any additional gain stages, resulting in an overall reduction of the noise floor. With 2.5mV directly driving a standard 47k Ohm RIAA phono stage, the best possible signal to noise ratio is realized. Nothing but music emerges from your most treasured recordings.
UK Retail: £595
Pearwood Celebration III
For over five years SUMIKO has provided the Celebration Pearwood Signature to music lovers seeking the musical experience of the finest and most expensive phono pickups at a more reasonable cost. New advances in material technology and construction techniques have allowed for a significant improvement in sound quality and have resulted in the creation of this new Mark II version.
Improvements to the original Pearwood Celebration include a brand new handcrafted Pearwood cartridge body, refined long-grain boron cantilever, and most notably a new ultra low-mass Ogura Jewel Co. P9 Stylus (Vital Design). In addition, a new, machined billet Teflon back plate features custom hollow and tapered brass mounting pins for ease of installation. These refinements result in a cartridge that offers more extended high frequencies along with bass extension and an extremely articulate mid-band range. . The Pearwood Celebration II embodies all the virtues that over 25 years of experience in designing and distributing the finest in analog products.
UK Retail: £1395