Sumiko BlackBird Low Output MC Cartridge (0.5mV, Certified Rebuilt)

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Certified rebuilt by Peter at Sound-Smith!

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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 Sumiko's 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 crucial 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.

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.

Sumiko's Blackbird is one of the finest cartridges I've heard in its price range, and it serves as a highly credible "reference cartridge for the real world.