Sumiko BlackBird High Output MC Cartridge 2.5mV

In Stock	An In Stock item is available to ship normally within 24 business hours.
Preorder	A Preorder is an item that has not yet been released. Typically the label will set a projected release date (that is subject to change). If a projected release date is known, we will include this in the description in red. Other Preorders are set to release 'TBA.' This means that release date is yet 'To Be Announced'. The Preorder can be released anywhere between weeks, months or years from its initial announcement.
Backordered	An Out Of Stock item is an item that we normally have available to ship but we are temporarily out of. We do not have a specific date when it will be coming.
Awaiting Repress	Awaiting repress titles are in the process of being repressed by the label. No ETA is available at this time.
Expected On	When an item is Out Of Stock and we have an estimated date when our stock should arrive, we list that date on our website in the part's description. It is not guaranteed.
Special Order	A Special Order item is an item that we do not stock but can order from the manufacturer. Typical order times are located within the product description.

In Stock

An In Stock item is available to ship normally within 24 business hours.

Preorder

A Preorder is an item that has not yet been released. Typically the label will set a projected release date (that is subject to change). If a projected release date is known, we will include this in the description in red. Other Preorders are set to release 'TBA.' This means that release date is yet 'To Be Announced'. The Preorder can be released anywhere between weeks, months or years from its initial announcement.

Backordered

An Out Of Stock item is an item that we normally have available to ship but we are temporarily out of. We do not have a specific date when it will be coming.

Awaiting Repress

Awaiting repress titles are in the process of being repressed by the label. No ETA is available at this time.

Expected On

When an item is Out Of Stock and we have an estimated date when our stock should arrive, we list that date on our website in the part's description. It is not guaranteed.

Special Order

A Special Order item is an item that we do not stock but can order from the manufacturer. Typical order times are located within the product description.

Description

This item not eligible for any further discount offers!

Trade In Pricing:
Receive a credit valued at 30% of the original retail price of any modern Sumiko moving coil cartridge towards the purchase of a Sumiko Moving Coil cartridge of equal or greater value.

Re-Tip/Exchange:
Only $999.99

Trade instructions: If you purchase this cartridge with a trade-in, please note when you check out your total will show the normal sale price of this item and NOT the trade in price. However, when we process your order, you will be charged ONLY the trade in price. When you have received your new Sumiko cartridge, please carefully pack and ship your trade-in cartridge to us (see our website for address).

The Sumiko BlackBird is destined to become an analog classic!

Designed for exceedingly low noise levels, wide dynamic range and the highest possible fidelity in its price class, Blackbird is destined to become an analog classic. Exceptional performance is achieved by the open-generator body design and rigid generator housing that prevents the build-up of both external and internal resonances and that create distortions common to closed body designs. Additionally, a hand-ground elliptical stylus fitted to a Long Grain Boron cantilever provides efficient energy transfer from stylus to coil resulting in superior tracking, extended low frequency response and superior dynamic range. Suitable for use with a wide range of tonearm designs the Blackbird is the latest manifestation of Sumikos most recent thinking, listening and refinement of phono cartridge design.

"The Blackbird offered a host of musically significant improvements relative to the already good EVO III, with more resolution, better focus, and greater three-dimensionality - all while retaining curcial treble smoothness... The Blackbird supplied a full measure of the openness and resolution that music lovers crave, without the excess brightness that makes some moving coils sound too edgy for their own good." - The Absolute Sound, April/May 2004

"I'm not here to tell you this cartridge is as good as the Lyra Titan - it's not. But the Blackbird is so damn good that, unless you compare it directly with something like the Titan, you might wonder just how much better analog can get. It's that good... The Sumiko Blackbird is a strong Class B cartridge. I highly recommend it." - Michael Fremer, Stereophile Magazine, January 2004

"Sumikos Blackbird is one of the finest cartridges Ive heard in its price range, and it serves as a highly credible "reference cartridge for the real world." - Chris Martens, AVGuide.com, October 2003

BlackBird High Specifications:
Cartridge Type: High output MC
Stylus Type: Low mass elliptical
Cantilever: Long grain Boron
Dynamic Compliance: (x10-6 cm/dyne)12
Frequency Response: 10Hz-50Khz
Output Voltage/Channel: 2.5mV
Internal Impedance: 135 Ohms
Channel Separation: 35dB @ 1kHz
Channel Balance: 0.5dB @ 1kHz
Tracking Force Range: 1.8 2.2 grams
Cartridge Weight: 9.6 grams