How to Pick a Phono Cartridge - Sumiko In-Depth Guide
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- čas přidán 24. 05. 2022
- Moving Coil or Moving Magnet, Eliptical or Line Contact, with so many choices this video might help you narrow it down.
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Love these videos. always an education. Thank you!
Thanks, very informative presentation. I'm using the Evo 3 for nearly 6 months. Now I learned it's out of production
Thank you for a solid comprehensive overview. I learned a lot from this video 😎👍
Glad it was helpful!
Brilliant video and love the watch!
great video! I'm in the market for a new cart and this was helpful in understanding the Sumiko line. I will for sure be looking at your vids to see if you cover other brands also.
Very interesting video learned alot ❤
Love watching your videos!
Glad you like them!
Yeah I really appreciate this. Compliance has been a spec that I have a hard time wrapping my head around. I think I finally got it.
Hey Samuel. Glad it helped. I quite didn't get it till I did the video too.
Yes! Thanks for this!!
You're so welcome!
Very interesting presentation! Thank You for the explanations.
Glad you liked it!
Thank you for all the explanations 👍😊
My pleasure!
Great video. Cleared up a lot for me. I’ll be contacting you in May to order a few things. The wrist watch is nice.
Though I find you showing off an expensive watch at the start of every episode in poor taste, it has to be said that this is the best cartridge video I have ever seen. The images of stylus and construction details were both stunning and instructive. Very much appreciated and typical of your careful, detailed approach to hifi.
Thanks for the feedback. Fans of SkyFi tend to also like watches and cars so I try and mix it up a bit.
@@SkyFiAudio yeah...its still in poor taste.
Why is it in poor taste?
@@wesmo15 that move was also weird for me. No hate, just a feedback
@@wesmo15 it’s known as braunging where I come from. It’s just not done.
Back in the day, my selection was a Shure V 15 Type III. I thought that the sound was quite flat but still had good response. The later Type IV had a dust brush installed. I didn't like that You can still find them as of today but they're pretty expensive.
Hey, Fernando. I’ve tried many cartridges over the years including MM, LOMC, HOMC, and MI, and with different stylus profiles. That includes Sumiko, who make a very solid and great sounding product. This was a great guide in how to pick a cart, what to look for, and the differences in them. I’m sure people will take a lot from this vid. Thanks, Fernando. 🔊🎶
Thanks for the feedback Nick. I appreciate the encouragement.
Excellent video from start to finish. All of the information you presented was great and the microscope was a very useful part. Thank you for taking the time to explain but more importantly show the details. Keep it coming. And I like the watches and cars...
Hey glad you liked it. It sure was a long video, didn't know if it was too long.
@@SkyFiAudio i thought it was perfect
Really interesting video. Love the microscope section. Nice one 👍
Thanks 👍
I love this video. I just bought a Table with the amethyst pre installed. And I agree with the Preamp information. I found that the Emotiva XPS-1 is a good preamp for both MM and MC cartridges
Thank you so much for producing such a great video on the subject!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks Fernando!!
That was one of the most interesting presentations I’ve seen in a while.
I learned quite a bit. Cartridges are one of the most interesting things in audio.
I never would have guessed that the tip temperature could reach 300 degrees.
One thing that still amazes me about cartridges is that they can get left and right separation through one stylus and one cantilever.
I know! its crazy indeed.
@@SkyFiAudio Seems like magic! 🤦♀️😳🌀❤️
A lot of work,and I learned somethings.Items I have heard before but did not have a reference of them.Thank you,Doc BC
Glad you liked it. It was a bit of work to put it together but it was long overdue.
Great video! Thanks for taking the time for it.
Would a bp no.3 cartridge be a good match for a thorns Td-160 with mk1 arm?
Cheers!
Fascinating... VERY Well DONE ! Don't know much about Sumiko but I love threaded body on some of their carts... no need to struggle with nuts ! Challenge with swapping cartridges is it is a bit of a wildcard in terms of how well it works with certain turntables (e.g. Rega P8 / P10 that does not have VTA adjustments other than shims vs Technics 1200 / 1500 line with a ton of adjustments possible) and how it can or can not make much difference. Obviously, removable head shells are much easier to install but they have their detractors.
I agree and should have mentioned the threaded body. Sure makes mounting and adjusting easier.
Great video. On my 2nd, BP Special No.#3 on my Pro-Ject Perspective Carbon. A great sound. Both have been HC over the decade+ but now own new phono preamplifiers, Parasound JC3 & a McIntosh, that easily support most LC versions carts; have thought of looking at advantages.
Recently got my AT 1200SA magnetic back in action after many years stored. Brings me back to the great vinyl sound of 1980, as a teen...at maximum volume!
Do any of there cartridges have mono versions
@@truthhouse8 I do not know
Sumniko doesnt but checkout Mayajima or Grado.
Great presentation. Cleared up so many things for me. I’m more interested now to get involved with turntables. Thanks
Get an old technics 1300 and a couple hundred dollar cartridge and have an audiophile buddy set it up. You'll love it
Glad it was helpful!
Check out the Fluance RT-85N and the online reviews. If I was to purchase a second turntable (to digitize my Lp's) that's the one I would get today. Comes with a decent cart also.
Fabulous presentation, Fernando. I think you've just saved me $400! I was thinking of a Songbird, but now figure a BP # 3 will work just fine.
Great video mate.
I already run the amethyst cartridge on my technics sl1210gr & I'm very impressed.
How would you compare the amethyst to the bluepoint no.3 & which of the two is better for electronic music reproduction???
thank you in advance,Vaggelis
hello, thanks for your explanation, I ask you musically which needles would be better
Fernando, thanks so much for this and the cool watch. I guess some people don't realize or appreciate the amount and effort that was required to produce this video, which is for all intents and purposes is for free.
Hi there,
I have a couple of Denon DJ VL12 Prime turntables that I am looking to use a different headshell on. I see you went with the solid aluminum, which model did you go with? Have you ever tried the Nasotec Swing headshell?
Also curious if you have investigated changing out the complete tonearm assembly on these turntables?
I have a sumiko Songbird. Had it one year and dropped it and bent the cantilever. I know ! Well I love it so I had it repaired with a sapphire cantelever and a different stylist. That's when I was told that it had a bonded stylist. I guess I was kind of surprised that $899 cartridge had that.
It's really singing now. Thank you for the video
Thats a crappy day when you break a stylus . I've done it a few times. Glad you got it sorted out. Enjoy Jerry.
My setup is Martin Logan ESL, Project Tube box S2, Denon avr-x2700h, and a debut carbon evo table. Would the songbird be overkill? My current cart is the Wellfleet
I also like nice watches. Your Rolex is wonderful.
Hi Fernando, I’m thinking about giving MC cartridge a try, my preamp is Mcintosh C2300, i can use a MC cartridge. My TT is a Technics SL1200MKii, what MC cartridge do you recommend under $500?
I'm glad he said that "the stylus cartridge is like a microphone 🎤" ! That's what I've always been saying when people ask why records sound so good! It's because the cartridge IS a microphone 🎤 and the grooves ARE sound waves ( the exact sound waves that are in the air we hear)! If everything is rightly in place ( pressing is good, mastering is good, source is good, ect ) it is pretty much voices of the past giving you a miked performance right in your living room! No other medium is that pure and precise other than 35mm film!
thats why I tell folks not to use a hinged dust cover. It acts like a baffle connected to a microphone. No good!
Hi there I’m currently restoring a vintage kenwood kp-5021 turntable and would like to get some info on what cartridge would you guys recommend. Thanks 🙏🏽
Bergmann linear arm and soundsmith, seems to push the limits; but how do they pare together ? Very onest you, and one of the best brand, sumiko .
29:53 40,000 kHz is what "hi resolution" audio is at! So indeed they do got their shit together! No you can't hear that high, but it's important because it's been shown to affect the rest of the lower spectrum!
Interesting, wasn't aware it affects the lower spectrum. My dog is a "lucky dog" being able to hear that high ;-).
Great - A conical stylus might be a good choice for styrene 45 7” records as they are not as durable as vinyl. Elliptical and fine cut stylus could damage styrene records.
Various stylus shapes and thickness might ride higher or lower in record groves and this sound better or worse.
I have a Music Hall Stealth with the Ortofon 2M Blue and looking to upgrade. Any thoughts?
Fernando--If you can, show your setup rig. Very impressive.
Ill do a video on it soon. Im quite proud of it.
I got the Sumiko/Olympia on a Audio Technica XP-140, Very nice sounding through a Project/Tube-Box S2.
Would like to upgrade to a Sumiko/Blue point at some point.....lol
How does the Olympia handle IGD?
@@cubdukat IGD ?
So, I bought my Technics 1200mk3d used minty for $499 about 4 years ago, so what range is best for me? I currently use a AT440mlb
The Project EVO CC tonearm on my tt calls for a high compliance 30 um/mN or higher cart. How does this convert to a Sumiko 12x10-6 cm,/dyn cart?
Highest compliance Ive seen is Goldring Erocia at 25 um/N.
The units I typed are correct as I seen them posted. Very confusing.
I have the Moonstone and have been told by multiple people if I want to upgrade to the Amethyst I would need to buy the whole thing. Meaning the body is different and I could not just get the Amethyst stylus and put it on the Moonstone body. Did you misspeak when you said the body of those 2 were the same?
Hello Fernando
What cartridge is compatible with Denon 57 L please
Isn’t the next step up from the Rainier an Olympia (what I have)? Moonstone is third in line, if I’m not mistaken.
Shure sc 35 ,not bad
Why miss the pearl? How does the Linn Adikt compare to these cartridges?
Can you provide a rough idea on a suggested price for a preamp relative to turntable and cartridge prices? Thanks for the very informative video.
Thats kinda tough. Shoot me an email with your full system and Ill make a recommendation. Cheers.
This is great! I have an Sumiko Moonstone and I will be upgrading it eventually. The question for me is do I stick to mm or go for mc? I’m not really sure at this point.
MM and MI are generally more affordable. Some people prefer MM, others MC. Only you can decide that
From a Moonstone maybe upgrade to a BP No.3.
From one Fernando to another I would love to pick your brain one day 🙏 so many questions
Happy to help, give me a ring some time!
BTW we have more in common, my second last name is Fernandez.
very interesting video, first time I understood the difference of MC & MM 😉
Would you say that the Palos Santos is even better as the Clearaudio Goldfinger?
Reason I ask is because I have a Goldfinger and its too high sensitivity drives me crazy. If the record is not in PERFECT shape this cartridge will show you everything that is in the grooves.
I have records that I couldn´t listen at my place because the pops or crackles simply were to present and when I did listen to the same records on a MUCH cheaper turntable combo you really didn´t hear these crackles at all.
Sure if we had the turntables side by side we would have heared what the Goldfinger brings to the table, and it is a lot, it is so amazing when the record is in GREAT condition I totally love it.
Now would be the question, is there something out there that can compete with the Goldfinger sound-wise AND isn´t that sensitive against whatever sit´s in the grooves?
At the moment I have the Palos Santos on my radar, next to an Lyra Atlas Lambda SL and a Phasemation PP-2000.
Just because Clearaudio did put in much gold into their most expensive cartridge doesn´t mean much I guess, sure raw material is expensive but does it really better the soundquality?
To often brands do hype up stuff with don´t mean anything and I´m searching for stuff that actually makes a difference
great video but I'm confused by how some cartridge compliance is measured differently for example an ortofon black cartridge compliance is 22um/mn and a sumiko Amethyst is 12×10-6 cm/dyn. what is the difference and how can we calculate? is the sumiko lower compliance? thank you!
I think you just have to covert the um to cm. If you google you'll find an online converter.
google cm/dyn to n/m converter
Okay thank you!
Blue point 3 im considering for my mofi studiodeck
Heloo mister!! I want to tell you that i own a ranier!! Ranier works best at ZERO SETTING PF on phono stage!!!
Do that and you see after that is like heaven
I've just purchased a Raga Planer 8 with a Nagoaka MP-300 getting a Demo next week hopefully should work well together
I dont see why not. Let us know how it turns out.
@@SkyFiAudio
Really excellent great sound stage setup at 1.5.5
What price range would you place a Shure V15 Type 3 and an Audio Technica 440MLa cartridge with original stylus?
Sorry Paul, no idea.
@@SkyFiAudio, Sorry for asking.
I thought I had read that the Amethyst stylus could not be used with the lower level Oyster bodies. Has that been changed? I have a Moonstone now and was considering a move to the WellFleet stylus but if I can jump straight to Amethyst, I would likely do that instead. Thanks for the video.
Users with Rainier can upgrade to Olympia, Moonstone or even Wellfleet with a simple stylus swap.
Owners of Amethyst can enjoy the same versatility. Although the generator for Amethyst is different from that of the rest of the Rainier Family, the physical body & mechanics are the same so it is possible to use, for example, a Rainier or Olympia stylus with an Amethyst body. This also means one can install an Amethyst stylus in a Rainier body (it sounds fabulous, but be advised it does not extract the full potential of Amethyst’s sophisticated stylus/cantilever)
@@SkyFiAudio IMHO, Sumiko torpedoed Amethyst sales when they released the Wellfleet. If you can use the Amethyst stylus on the lesser models (contrary to what they were insisting, and admittedly without feeling the benefit a la 10cc), what real incentive would there be to spend that kind of money on the Amethyst instead of, say, a Blue Point No. 3 HOMC?
Cartridges aside...If you had to name your top 5 or top 10 best turntables based on your measurements, what would they be?
I dont keep list but I setup a Clearaudio Inovation the other day with the 12" Universal tonearm an got incredibly good results.
great video, but i still cant decide on my next cart.
i have a modded Rega rp3 (303 arm) and i was trying to decide on the Amethyst or BP3, but now i am thinking both may be "overkill" for my deck
Fantastic video. Thank you.
I don't quite understand why I shouldn't upgrade my Ortofon 2M Blue to a Songbird on my RT-85. The way I see it, a turntae has two functions: 1) disc rotation and 2) cartridge placement (tonearm). If the rotation and cartridge placement are both precise (which I believe they are on Fluance Reference Series for example), then isn't the only argument left in terms of quality-cost ratio a question of electronic hardware quality? Isn't it purely a matter of signal path from the cartridge connectors to the turntable output nodes? Isn't the quality-cost ratio argument really about hardware quality for the signal path and, if so, is the point that this hardware is across the board inadequate in terms of compatability with higher end cartridges? I would expect a Songbird would revolutionize my listening experience nearly as much as it would on a $2500 tt. Is this untrue?
Thank you!
The Fluance may not have the precision to take advantage of the Songbird.
@@jimroyle2206 Thanks Jim. What does 'precision' mean in terms of a turntable?
@@austinhunt4260 Ah!...since you asked....it means you need to spend more money on the turntable or else others might realize you CAN run a stellar cartridge ona budget turntable AND get BETTER sound. (shhhhh!!!! ; do it but don't tell anyone unless you want to get flack about it )
@@jimroyle2206 If you can mount the cartridge and it spins at a constant speed ....it's precice enough. The rest are turntable upgrade sales-pitch ;)
Nope!
If someone selling second hand hifi is showing off a Rolex Hulk then run. 1st id question his taste 2nd id question his margins!
Cartridg3. I was spoiled in the 70s. , stanton 681eee. Shure v15 , the m95 was better , and loads of audio technicas
Yup my 681 eee is still running on its 3rd stylus. Got 2 more
All great choices.
@@SkyFiAudio ohh and we bulk bought , 50 of each no box lol. M70 was 7bux, m91 was 27, and v15 at 85 canadian dollars. Ohh the 70s and the huge sales, nakamichi, luxman, klipsch, .?.
Tuned in to your cartridge summary and recommendation’s, and tuned out almost immediately right after you were kind enough to tell us the time on your Rolex Oyster… tacky
Which of these work well with a Dual 1229?
I would try the Moonstone.
@@SkyFiAudio Cool thanks for the tip.
No blackbird 😓
Also, great video and presentation 😄
45:45 Until someone determines how much of the price of a turntable is distributed between cosmetic and audible factors , the price of the turntable is irrelevant. (Unless you are selling turntables in which case it all needs to match- and in that case you need equally upgraded furniture- You wouldn't want to be listening to your upgraded equipment sitting on the same old couch now would you ? )
Sorry I mean sky fi audio
very important to me ( I'm 73 ) the attachment of cartridge to arm - those tiny nuts are a horrid choice, every cartridge should have threaded attachment. and, does the head shell have easily replaceable ( SME /techics style ) connecting wires ? Yea, I broke one of the 4 tiny wires/ connects and rendered a fairly expensive turntable worth about 2 cents. I understand the idea that extra attachments reduce quality of sound > single wire length from back of cart. to the rca jacks into amp.... but replaceable durability is or SHOULD be a strong design feature.
Some wrong info here including output, price and compatability with stylii. You cant use an amythist stylus with the lower level moonstone, etc. Do your research.
I watched only until rolex moment
Those first line of carts look like all "P-mounts"!
I don't know shit!
I think they are all the same mount type.
The problem is not picking/selecting a cartridge. The problem is freekiiing swapping/instaling it properly..... Just saying
Sorry stylus
29:15 - (-b***t)
Thanks for showing the Rolex first thing. That let me know not to waste my time here.
I don't spend any money on cables, they do very little if anything if they are expensive or not.
Do you have impaired hearing?
I don’t get the Rolex
If you are a Sumiko dealer how can you get so much wrong in one video? You literally have the list in front of you and get the second and third cartridges wrong. Your list has Olympia 2nd, Moonstone 3rd, Wellfleet 4th, and Amethyst 5th. Moonstone is $300, not $200. Amethyst is $600, not $300. The Moonstone is 3mV, not 4 mV. The Amethyst is 2.5 mV, not 3 mV. The Amethyst is also a line contact stylus, not an elliptical. The Blue Point No. 3 actually says right on the box that you are looking at that it is in the Oyster Series, not the Reference series.
@Stephen Buck what does me having a CZcams channel have anything to do with any of the information provided in this video. This isn’t just somebody doing this on their free time in the basement giving opinions. This is a dealer that is giving factually incorrect answers about the products that he reps or sells. It’s literally titled “Sumiko In-Depth Guide”. I was watching this video when trying to decide on a cartridge to purchase until I realized how many things were incorrect. My comment can be used by future viewers so they know what in this video is not true.
Was I supposed to be impressed you own a Rolex? How many Rolex owners are on this planet? As soon as I heard the intro, I stopped the video.
Pablo. Along with HiFi we buy and sell watches. Our clients often collect both.
it's not a guide, it's short story long
The Rolex made me stop watching!