Sumiko Starling
Moving coil (MC) cartridge fitted with a Microridge stylus and a rigid boron cantilever, for precise and detailed vinyl playback.
Description
The Sumiko Starling is a moving coil (MC) cartridge, designed to be fitted to a tonearm and reproduce the signal cut into the vinyl record's groove with precision. It carries over the headblock and generator from the Songbird model, paired with a rigid boron cantilever fitted with a Microridge stylus.
The Microridge stylus, of very low mass (75 µm x 2.5 µm), is mounted on a boron cantilever of the bore-shaft type with a 0.28 mm diameter. The high-purity copper coils have an internal impedance of 28 ohms, with a recommended load impedance above 100 ohms. Frequency response extends from 12 Hz to 50 kHz, with an output of 0.5 mV and channel separation of 35 dB at 1 kHz. The recommended tracking force is 2.0 g, within a range of 1.8 g to 2.2 g.
- Very low mass Microridge stylus
- Boron cantilever, ⌀0.28 mm bore
- High-purity copper coils
- 0.5 mV output, 28 ohm internal impedance
This cartridge is aimed at vinyl enthusiasts equipped with a tonearm and phono preamplifier compatible with an MC cartridge, seeking fine, detailed playback of their records.
Technical specifications
| Mass and dimensions | 9.5 g, 17 x 18 x 28.5 mm (WxHxD) |
| Stylus | Solid Microridge, very low mass of 75 µm x 2.5 µm |
| Cantilever | Bore shaft ⌀0.28 mm |
| Coils | High-purity copper |
| Internal impedance | 28 Ω |
| Load impedance | >100 Ω |
| Frequency response | 12 Hz – 50 kHz |
| Output | 0.5 mV |
| Channel separation | 35 dB at 1 kHz |
| Channel balance | <0.5 dB at 1 kHz |
| Compliance | 12 × 10-6 cm/dyne at 100 Hz |
| Capacitance | 100 pF – 200 pF |
| Vertical tracking angle | 20° |
| Tracking force range | 1.8 g – 2.2 g |
| Recommended tracking force | 2.0 g |
What to check before buying used
The Microridge stylus, cut to a very low mass, is a sensitive point: check its condition visually under magnification, without direct contact, to detect wear or compacted dust deposits in the groove. The boron cantilever, rigid but thin, cannot withstand any impact or rough handling of the cartridge. Also check the fixing to the headshell and the condition of the connecting wires, which can become fragile over time on a cartridge that has seen heavy use.
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