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Thread: Sumiko Cartridges

  1. #1
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Norwich

    Posts: 2,814
    I'm Hugo.

    Default Sumiko Cartridges

    Ammonite Audio will shortly be stocking Sumiko cartridges, and particularly the budget/mid to high end moving magnet models (Black Pearl through to the Amethyst) which complement Jelco tonearms rather well. Sumiko moving coil cartridges will be available to order.

    The whole range will be up on the webshop in a few days, but in the meantime, see the whole range here https://www.henleyaudio.co.uk/shop/product?BrandIds=36

    https://youtu.be/xBsQymEBnaU

  2. #2
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Norwich

    Posts: 2,814
    I'm Hugo.


  3. #3
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Norwich

    Posts: 2,814
    I'm Hugo.

    Default

    Great review by Adam Smith of the Sumiko Starling moving coil cartridge in the latest March 2020 issue of HiFi News magazine. They gave it the 'Outstanding "product' badge. Read the full review here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Cis...ew?usp=sharing

    See the range of Sumiko cartridges in our shop here https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/product-category/sumiko/



  4. #4
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Norwich

    Posts: 2,814
    I'm Hugo.

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    I've been listening to the Sumiko Rainier moving magnet cartridge, which sits at the bottom of Sumiko's latest Oyster series of cartridges. The Rainier costs a reasonable £159.95 and sports a very ordinary bonded elliptical stylus tip.

    Sumiko have voiced their moving magnet cartridges to be relatively soft in character and straight out of the box that is apparent, but I have noticed that running in does open up the top end a little. The softness is something that you get used to and it's actually rather refreshing to hear a cartridge that is not at all strident. The Rainier tracks well and surface noise is well contained. Installation and setup are made easy by the captive threads for mounting bolts, and the fact that the stylus tip sits in line with the front edge of the cartridge body, but well protected by the white plastic stylus surround. The removable guard slips over the whole cartridge and is as good as anything that I've seen or used, at any price.

    I've set up the Rainier a 12" Reed 3P arm, on my old Kenwood KD-990, using the SMARTractor alignment tool. The 20g Reed is in theory perhaps too heavy for the Rainier but actually the combination is well behaved and sounds lovely. There is a sense of calm and musical ease with this cartridge that really comes across with LPs like the Schubert Impromptus Op.90 and Op.142 (Brendel, Philips 422 237-1) record that is playing as I write this, where Brendel's playing is delicate and nuanced and the overall sound completely believable. I have to say that this is the best MM cartridge that I've used to date, and it bodes very well for the other cartridges in this new Sumiko range. Noel Keywood reviewed the Sumiko Amethyst in the latest HiFi World and clearly did not like it - all I'd say is that for anyone wanting a reasonably priced moving coil cartridge that's well behaved, easy to install and use, and with a sound character that's not shrill, then these Sumiko Oyster series cartridges are definitely worth trying.


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