Sumiko Blue Point No3
Moving coil (MC) cartridge by Sumiko, designed for smooth and nuanced listening, handmade in Japan.
Description
The Blue Point No3 is a moving coil (MC) cartridge designed by Sumiko, a manufacturer recognised for its work on cartridges over several decades. It fits onto a turntable equipped with a tonearm suited to MC cartridges and allows the record grooves to be tracked with the sound signature characteristic of this type of technology.
Sumiko presents the Blue Point No3 as a cartridge whose sonic presentation evokes vintage MM cartridges from the brands Shure and Stanton, known for their smooth listening character. This characteristic is here combined with the brand's MC system, which is intended to additionally bring the subtlety and nuance expected of a Sumiko moving coil cartridge.
Every Sumiko cartridge, from the Oyster model through to the high-end references, is handmade in Yokohama, Japan. The brand states that it selects materials intended to deliver consistent performance, with each design being auditioned before production, which is then entrusted to specialist cartridge manufacturers.
This type of cartridge is aimed at turntable enthusiasts seeking a smooth rather than analytical playback character, particularly those who appreciate the sound associated with vintage MM cartridges while wishing to benefit from the qualities of an MC design.
What to check before buying used
The stylus suspension and cantilever are vulnerable to knocks and wear: check for any visible flat spot on the tip and ask about the number of hours of use, as an MC cartridge cannot be re-tipped like an MM cartridge. The very fine internal output wires may have become fragile through handling during tonearm mounting or removal. A worn MC stylus is not always immediately audible but progressively damages record grooves.
Looking for this reference: Blue Point No3 ?
Tell us what you are looking for: our merchants are notified, and one of them may have it in stock.