Sumiko Introduces Oriole Phono Cartridge
All Image Credit: Sumiko
Sumiko, a leader in analog audio innovation, have announced the Oriole moving coil (MC) cartridge. This latest cartridge has been handcrafted at Excel Sound in Yokohama, Japan, and is positioned between the company’s Songbird and Starling models. This latest model comes with a nude Shibata stylus (6.5 x 40µm), a reinforced aluminum pipe cantilever (0.5mm), and high-purity copper coils.
The Oriole has a low-impedance generator rated at 5.5Ω that provides 0.3mV output. These latest refinements are said to, “reduce moving mass, improve groove tracking, and yield greater depth, transient response, and spatial information”, and are all contained within an orange housing.
According to Sumiko, their reference series open-architecture cartridge philosophy is claimed to; “minimize the potential for coloration and distortion due to energy buildup that is sometimes propagated by the conventional cartridge body. Internal resonance is damped within the generator while remaining resonance travels up through the bonded mounting plate & headblock, then down the tonearm where it is dissipated harmlessly. The polyether-ether-ketonePEEK) generator mounting plate provides the utmost stability and energy transfer while the stiff alloy headblock is the conduit through which that energy exits the cartridge.”
As with all moving coil cartridges user-replaceable styli are not on an option. Any of Sumiko’s MCs, functional or otherwise, can be returned to your dealer in a re-tip exchange or a discount on a new cartridge of equal or greater value. Note: The trade-in program appears to be only available for US customers.
Specifications:
- Mass & Dimension: 7.3gm, (see tech drawing)
- Stylus: Nude Shibata (6.5 x 40µm)
- Cantilever: ⌀0.5mm Reinforced Aluminum Pipe
- Coils: High-Purity Copper
- Internal Impedance: 5.5Ω (1kHz)
- Load Impedance: >55Ω (determine by ear)
- Capacitance: 100pF – 200pF
- Frequency Response: 12Hz – 45kHz
- Output: 0.3mV (3.54cm/sec, 1kHz)
- Channel Separation: 30dB (1kHz)
- Channel Balance: <0.5dB (1kHz)
- Compliance: 12×10-6cm/dyn (100Hz)
- Vertical Tracking Angle: 20°
- Tracking Force Range: 1.8g – 2.2g
MSRP:
- UK: £TBA
- US: $1,699.00
- EU: €1,699.00
For more information visit the Sumiko web site:
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