Sumiko Phono Cartridges and RS78 78 rpm Stylus

Sumiko recently announced four new phono cartridges and one new stylus. This article reviews the new Sumiko Olympia and Wellfleet phono cartridges, and the new RS78 stylus, Sumiko's first 78 rpm solution, meeting the needs of many vintage recording enthusiasts.

-  Gary Galo

Sumiko Olympia Phono Cartridge Wellfleet Phono Cartridge RS78 78 rpm Stylus

Sumiko

63 95th Ave. N

Maple Grove MN 55369

510-843-4500 sumikophonocartridges.com

[e-mail]

Olympia Phono Cartridge: $199.00

Olympia Stylus: $119.00

Wellfleet Phono Cartridge: $449.99

Wellfleet Stylus: $339.00

RS78 Stylus: $129.99

Sumiko is a company well-known to audiophiles. It's been a leading manufacturer and importer of high-end audio equipment for more than 40 years. Back in the 1980s, Sumiko imported an excellent line of Grace tonearms, notably the 707 and the 747 models that were praised by the audiophile press. I owned a 747 in the early 1980s and found it to be a very fine arm when used with low-tracking force, high-compliance cartridges. The company has also manufactured phono cartridges, including several incarnations of the Blue Point moving-coil designs that are available in both high- and low-output versions. Sumiko also has a line of eight moving-magnet cartridges, all part of its Oyster series. The Oyster series goes back to the first Sumiko phono cartridges, introduced some 40 years ago. It still offers an entry-level Oyster model, a classic design that sells for $79 US. The models reviewed here (Photo 1) are part of a group of four recent designs that feature interchangeable styli. The four cartridges range in price from $79 to $449 US, and also include the Rainier ($79) and Moonstone ($299). Sumiko is now a division of the McIntosh Group.