Sumiko - Blue Point No. 3 High

Sumiko - Blue Point No. 3 High High Output Moving Coil Phono Cartridge Blue Point No. 3 is an enhancement of the globally popular Blue Point No. 2. We reevaluated the resonant behavior of the No. 2 and found that by eliminating resonant caverns within the housing, we could achieve a much more musical, listenable sound. The sonic presentation of Blue Point No. 3 harkens back to vintage Shure & Stanton MMs remembered for their smoothness. With our tried & true MC generator system, that smoothness is enhanced with the subtlety & nuance you’d expect from a Sumiko MC. Full & warm yet defined & textured, the coziness of the bass will invite you right in. Expect similar lushness through an articulate midrange and sweet, airy high-frequency attack & decay. Compatible with any MM phono preamp on the market, Blue Point No. 3 delivers the refinement of MC cartridges without the need for a specialty phono preamp. Key Features and User Experience Musical and Engaging Sound: Reviewers praise the cartridge for its rich, full, and warm sound, particularly its deep and textured bass response. The midrange is articulate, and high frequencies are sweet and airy without being aggressive. Ease of Use: A major advantage of the high-output design (2.5mV) is that it can be used with any standard 47k Ohm MM phono stage, eliminating the need for a specialized MC preamp or step-up transformer. This makes it a convenient and affordable entry point into the world of MC cartridges. Build Quality: The cartridge is handcrafted in Japan and features an aluminum pipe cantilever and a 0.3 x 0.7mil elliptical nude-mounted stylus. It has an overhead mounting design with a beveled front fascia for easy installation and visibility of the stylus tip. Performance: According to Fidelity Magazine, it is a "fantastic all-rounder" that delivers precision and detail, though ultimate dynamics and high-frequency resolution are reserved for much more expensive options.  Specification  Detail Cartridge Type High Output Moving Coil (MC) Output Voltage 2.5mV @ 1kHz Frequency Response 13Hz – 35kHz Stylus 0.3 x 0.7mil Elliptical Cantilever Aluminum Pipe Internal Impedance 135Ω Load Impedance 47kΩ (standard MM input) Recommended Tracking Force 2.0g (range is 1.8g – 2.2g) Mass 6g