7 products
Sumiko Starling | Moving Coil Phono Cartridge
Regular price $1,999.00 Save $-1,999.00

If a picture is worth 1000 words, Starling propels the question of what a sonic image might be worth. Evident in the very existence of our hobby is music’s unique ability to reach us with a certain profundity that exists well outside of what we can hear. It can be said that feelings are what we’re chasing, and if invoked by the most convincing portrayal of your dearest recordings, those feelings can be all the more profound. A sonic image can thus be priceless, and Sumiko has designed Starling to realize that image in your system.
Added to the resonance-optimized headblock & generator borrowed from Songbird, Starling implements a rigid boron cantilever finished with an ultra-low-mass Microridge stylus. Microridge is a diamond profile highly regarded worldwide for its even-handedness while simultaneously delivering richness & clarity. Bonded to the assembly, rarely has this famous stylus achieved such agility in the groove — certainly not at Starling’s price. What you experience is gorgeously suspended sonic imagery that places you just where you want to be: front & center.
Sumiko is proud of their recent additions to their Reference open-body Moving Coil (MC) lineup. Their latest darlings — Songbird & Starling — are a heavy refinement on the tried & true Blackbird & BPS EVO III designs. Securely anchored to a highly rigid, resonance-optimized headblock, the new generator is free to work its magic with the utmost control, free of unwanted internal resonance. The generator assembly is flexible and sturdy, offering the highest fidelity possible in a perfect balance of clarity and romance. The result is industry-leading, holographic imaging with irresistibly ‘true’ sweetness. Each delivers a degree of honesty & refinement of which Sumiko couldn't be prouder or more excited for you to hear for yourself.
User-replaceable styli are not an option for moving coil phono cartridges. But any Sumiko MC, functional or otherwise, can be returned to your dealer in a re-tip exchange — a discount on a new cartridge of equal or greater value — sparing you expense when your stylus heads south! Here’s how it works: the cartridge you own is worth 30% its retail value in trade. As an example, if you have a cartridge with a retail value of $1000, it’s worth $300 in trade toward your new cartridge. Your trade-in can be done through Bloom Audio as an authorized dealer. Note: Sumiko's trade-in program is valid within the United States only.
From Oyster to Reference, each Sumiko phono cartridge is crafted by hand in Yokohama, Japan — near the waters where their namesake Oysters dwell. The finest materials have been ear-selected to deliver performance that has enlightened generations of listeners. Each design is thoroughly auditioned until perfected. Production is then executed by world-class cartridge makers with a collective eye for precision & quality. The result is a full horizon of cartridges eager to introduce themselves to your analog system — we firmly believe there’s a perfect cartridge for you here.

Sumiko Songbird | Moving Coil Phono Cartridge
Regular price $899.00 Save $-899.00

Particularly adept with vocals & acoustic instruments, Songbird was created to make genuine moving coil imaging available to any listener. It delivers the sweetest highs over a robust, rich yet clear low-midrange. Like its big sibling Starling, Songbird suspends sonic images in a highly controlled manner. As opposed to music being flung from your speakers, you’re placed among the naturally-positioned instruments in the soundstage, close in proximity to the intimate nuances of the musical material. If you’ve got an MM phono section, there’s a good chance Songbird High is the cartridge you’ve been dreaming about.
Clear and ultra-musical with just the right degree of warmth, Songbird Low offers an even deeper soundstage with greater reach width-wise. As it’s generally more quiet thus allowing more detail to surface, you’ll be shocked by the surprises it yields even in the recordings you’re most familiar with. Stunningly holographic in a manner that approaches that of Starling, Songbird Low maximizes the refinement of your MC system at a price that’s well below reasonable considering the performance it achieves.
Sumiko is proud of their recent additions to their Reference open-body Moving Coil (MC) lineup. Their latest darlings — Songbird & Starling — are a heavy refinement on the tried & true Blackbird & BPS EVO III designs. Securely anchored to a highly rigid, resonance-optimized headblock, the new generator is free to work its magic with the utmost control, free of unwanted internal resonance. The generator assembly is flexible and sturdy, offering the highest fidelity possible in a perfect balance of clarity and romance. The result is industry-leading, holographic imaging with irresistibly ‘true’ sweetness. Each delivers a degree of honesty & refinement of which Sumiko couldn't be prouder or more excited for you to hear for yourself.
User-replaceable styli are not an option for moving coil phono cartridges. But any Sumiko MC, functional or otherwise, can be returned to your dealer in a re-tip exchange — a discount on a new cartridge of equal or greater value — sparing you expense when your stylus heads south! Here’s how it works: the cartridge you own is worth 30% its retail value in trade. As an example, if you have a cartridge with a retail value of $1000, it’s worth $300 in trade toward your new cartridge. Your trade-in can be done through Bloom Audio as an authorized dealer. Note: Sumiko's trade-in program is valid within the United States only.
From Oyster to Reference, each Sumiko phono cartridge is crafted by hand in Yokohama, Japan — near the waters where their namesake Oysters dwell. The finest materials have been ear-selected to deliver performance that has enlightened generations of listeners. Each design is thoroughly auditioned until perfected. Production is then executed by world-class cartridge makers with a collective eye for precision & quality. The result is a full horizon of cartridges eager to introduce themselves to your analog system — we firmly believe there’s a perfect cartridge for you here.

Sumiko Pearl | Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge
Regular price $139.00 Save $-139.00

Seated atop the entry-level range of classic Oysters, Sumiko's classic Pearl phono cartridge has been dazzling listeners for decades. Physically compatible with most tonearms on the market and a perfect fit for any MM system, it’s a reminder that one doesn’t have to exhaust their budget to achieve next-level sound quality. Dynamic yet smooth and incredibly musical, it’s an evenly-balanced cartridge with enticing highs, decisive mids & deep, well-rounded bass. Pearl introduces a 0.3 x 0.7mil elliptical stylus, heightening detail retrieval, adding brilliance & improving on the stereo imaging of its sibling Black Pearl.
Over 40 years and worldwide, Sumiko's classic Oyster series has left thousands of captivated listeners in its wake. The series is comprised of their Oyster (MM), Black Pearl (MM), Pearl (MM), Blue Point No. 2 (HOMC) & Blue Point Special EVO III (H & LOMC) — each capable of delivering a degree of refinement you have yet to hear from your turntable system. The cartridges have established themselves over decades as high-value gems that dependably out-perform listeners’ expectations for their dollar. Marked by honesty in analog reproduction, the Oyster Series remains true to what’s in the groove, impressively and convincingly voiced to bring you closer to your music.
From Oyster to Reference, each Sumiko phono cartridge is crafted by hand in Yokohama, Japan — near the waters where their namesake Oysters dwell. The finest materials have been ear-selected to deliver performance that has enlightened generations of listeners. Each design is thoroughly auditioned until perfected. Production is then executed by world-class cartridge makers with a collective eye for precision & quality. The result is a full horizon of cartridges eager to introduce themselves to your analog system — we firmly believe there’s a perfect cartridge for you here.

Sumiko Olympia | Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge
Regular price $219.00 Save $-219.00

Building on Rainier, Olympia implements an upgraded cantilever assembly that reduces moving mass, translating to more nimble groove tracing, extended nuance and expanded frequency response. A slight decrease in output from Rainier reduces noise in an already-quiet design, improving imaging and perpetuating realism that’s rare to come by in this class of cartridge.
Designed for discerning, value-minded audiophiles, Rainier, Olympia & Moonstone supplement & complement Sumiko's existing range of Oysters. They build upon, enhance & refine the sonic character that listeners worldwide have enjoyed for decades. New innovation in cartridge design addresses the problem of resonance (things need to happen around a generator to voice a cartridge with honesty.) The housing thusly disperses & dissipates resonance, making way for effortless, transparent sonics that are enlivened with intimate nuance. The voicing is true to natural harmonics, space around voices & instruments as well as their attack & decay. Experience a diminutive backdrop that bolsters sonic images with a degree of aptitude reminiscent of moving coil designs that's unique to these Oyster cartridges.

Rainier, Olympia & Moonstone replacement styli are interchangeable. We encourage you to follow the upgrade path to experience the best of what this design has to offer!
From Oyster to Reference, each Sumiko phono cartridge is crafted by hand in Yokohama, Japan — near the waters where their namesake Oysters dwell. The finest materials have been ear-selected to deliver performance that has enlightened generations of listeners. Each design is thoroughly auditioned until perfected. Production is then executed by world-class cartridge makers with a collective eye for precision & quality. The result is a full horizon of cartridges eager to introduce themselves to your analog system — we firmly believe there’s a perfect cartridge for you here.

Sumiko Moonstone | Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge
Regular price $349.00 Save $-349.00

The apex of Sumiko's 3 new Oysters, Moonstone is dressed to impress. Further reducing moving-mass & output and topped off with listen-tested 0.3 x 0.7mil elliptical diamond, Moonstone transcribes sonic imagery with weight, richness, depth & sparkle. Texture is keenly realistic. The sonic image is suspended and well-controlled over a nearly-absent noise floor, providing fantastic clarity without etch or confusion. Compatible with MM preamps and the vast majority of tonearms out there, Moonstone is a must-have for audiophiles on a budget.
Designed for discerning, value-minded audiophiles, Rainier, Olympia & Moonstone supplement & complement the existing range of Oysters. They build upon, enhance, and refine the sonic character that listeners worldwide have enjoyed for decades. New innovation in cartridge design addresses the problem of resonance — the things that need to happen around a generator to voice a cartridge with honesty. The housing thusly disperses & dissipates resonance, making way for effortless, transparent sonics that are enlivened with intimate nuance. The voicing is true to natural harmonics, space around voices and instruments, as well as their attack and decay. Unique to these 3 Oysters (not to mention Amethyst), experience a diminutive backdrop that bolsters sonic images with a degree of aptitude reminiscent of moving coil designs.

Rainier, Olympia & Moonstone replacement styli are interchangeable. We encourage you to follow the upgrade path to experience the best of what this design has to offer!
From Oyster to Reference, each Sumiko phono cartridge is crafted by hand in Yokohama, Japan — near the waters where their namesake Oysters dwell. The finest materials have been ear-selected to deliver performance that has enlightened generations of listeners. Each design is thoroughly auditioned until perfected. Production is then executed by world-class cartridge makers with a collective eye for precision & quality. The result is a full horizon of cartridges eager to introduce themselves to your analog system — we firmly believe there’s a perfect cartridge for you here.

Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 | Moving Coil Phono Cartridge
Regular price $499.00 Save $-499.00

The Blue Point No. 2 cartridge proved to be so practical and pleasing to a wide variety of listeners that Sumiko took the "if it ain't broken, don't fix it" approach. But as Sumiko has pushed forward in recent years with exploration of resonance optimization, it was a matter of time before the classic No. 2 was re-evaluated. It landed among the world’s first high-output MC cartridges and has become something of a staple among listeners across decades looking for a taste of moving coil sonics without the added expense of MC pre-amplification. While it will remain dear to the Sumiko family within their heritage lineup, they've got another ‘Point’ to make...
Along with the release of their Reference Celebration 40, Sumiko brings you Blue Point No. 3, another nod to their 40 years of cartridge development in the pursuit to enrich your listening experience. Resonance is significantly more impactful than many listeners realize, and Sumiko sought to reimagine how the housing resonates around the generator. They feel they've struck gold.
The sonic presentation of Blue Point No. 3 harkens back to vintage Shure & Stanton MMs remembered for their smoothness. With Sumiko's tried & true MC generator system, that smoothness is enhanced with the subtlety & nuance you’d expect from a Sumiko MC. First and foremost, Blue Point No. 3 assembles its sonic picture from the ground up with its oh-so buttery low-end response. Bass enthusiasts are in for a treat here. Full & warm yet defined & textured, the coziness of the bass will invite you right in. And you can expect the similar lushness through the mids that remain decipherable, high-frequency attack & decay that’s simply sweet & airy.
Having developed such a refinement on a classic design, introducing a low-output variant was a no-brainer. As strongly as Sumiko stands behind Blue Point No. 3 High, Blue Point No. 3 Low is a game changer. Owners of MC phono stages can experience the same listenability mentioned above, but with the depth & imaging typical of a low-output design, and then some. As with its predecessors, Blue Point No. 3 remains a high-value performer that’s easy on your pocket book, and with the introduction of Blue Point No. 3 Low, there’s a Blue Point for everyone!
User-replaceable styli are not an option for moving coil phono cartridges. But any Sumiko MC, functional or otherwise, can be returned to your dealer in a re-tip exchange — a discount on a new cartridge of equal or greater value — sparing you expense when your stylus heads south! Here’s how it works: the cartridge you own is worth 30% its retail value in trade. As an example, if you have a cartridge with a retail value of $1000, it’s worth $300 in trade toward your new cartridge. Your trade-in can be done through Bloom Audio as an authorized dealer. Note: Sumiko's trade-in program is valid within the United States only.
From Oyster to Reference, each Sumiko phono cartridge is crafted by hand in Yokohama, Japan — near the waters where their namesake Oysters dwell. The finest materials have been ear-selected to deliver performance that has enlightened generations of listeners. Each design is thoroughly auditioned until perfected. Production is then executed by world-class cartridge makers with a collective eye for precision & quality. The result is a full horizon of cartridges eager to introduce themselves to your analog system — we firmly believe there’s a perfect cartridge for you here.

Pro-Ject X8 Evolution with Sumiko Moonstone | Audiophile Turntable
Regular price $2,499.00 Save $-2,499.00

The X8 turntable is a true high-end solution with major technical features adapted from the Xtension 9 and 10. The precision balanced platter is machined out of a single piece of aluminum and damped with a TPE (Thermo Plastic Elastomer) insert. The platter rotates on an inverted bearing with ceramic ball and PTFE thrust pad. To decrease the load on the bearing, an opposing neodymium magnet repels the platter from the plinth and bearing, ensuring smooth and quiet operation for decades to come.
The massive MDF chassis is supported by custom feet which are are CNC machined out of aluminum and are fully height-adjustable. They utilize TPE damping technology, very effectively decoupling the X8 from the surface it is placed on.
The combination of mass and damping provide a very stable system, isolating the stylus from both airborne and structural vibrations, without being finicky to setup and remains stable and properly aligned over time. You hear your music, not the turntable.
The 9cc EVO carbon tonearm utilizes inverted cardanic tonearm bearings, has four stainless steel tips mounted in ABEC 7 quality ball bearings mounted in a C-shaped section to minimize resonances. The low mass one-piece carbon fiber tonearm tube is crafted in a conical shape to minimize standing wave vibrations. The tonearm wire loom is one piece, from the cartridge to the 5pin DIN output, designed to allow either single ended or True Balanced phono connection.

Sumiko Phono Cartridges pair well with Pro-Ject tonearms. Their sonic synergy delivers non-fatiguing music that can be enjoyed for hours with no sacrifice to low-level detail & resolution- the things that make our music reproduction spring to life! Upgrading your stylus is an easy, low-risk path to immediate, audible improvement in your analog experience that only improve with break-in. Cartridge/stylus break-in occurs progressively as you listen. Our listeners notice the greatest degree of improvement in the 20-50 hour range.
Setting us apart from the competition, all Pro-Ject turntables are configured for balanced operation.* Switching to balanced is no subtle upgrade and promises to redefine ‘reference’ sound quality in your turntable system. What’s needed to get there are a) a moving coil cartridge, b) a turntable with balanced phono outputs, c) a phono preamp with balanced phono inputs and d) a balanced cable carrying the phono signal from turntable to phono preamp. Typically a much more costly endeavor, Pro-Ject has changed that landscape by offering products that make the technology attainable to any serious listener.
X8 Evolution comes equipped with a balanced 5-pin DIN phono output and can be run balanced with either DIN > XLR or DIN > mini XLR phono cables and a balanced phono stage. The turntable ships with a DIN > RCA phono cable for maximum compatibility out of the box (unbalanced dual single-ended RCA/ground is by far the most common connection type in phono). Balanced add-ons are sold separately.
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