Sumiko Blackbird

摘要

Descended from the cult Blue Point Special, this is the only 'high output' moving-coil in our group - ie, it delivers more microvolts than standard MC cartridges. As such, it can drive many moving-magnet phono stages direct, without the need for an additional gain stage. The Sumiko is also distinguished by being the only 'naked' cartridge of the group: its cantilever assembly is completely exposed to the perils of the outside world. By not shrouding the generator inside an (inevitably) resonant cartridge body, sonic gains can be had, but the downside is that the Blackbird is potentially tricky to fit and may easily be damaged. This is made even more apparent because Sumiko does not supply any kind of stylus and/or body guard.