The Sumiko Blackbird MC Low Output Cartridge has been circling audiophiles for decades. Fiercely detail-oriented via its nude line-contact stylus & highly rigid boron cantilever, it is widely known for its brilliantly airy highs, midrange clarity and full-bodied, texture-rich bass. Nuance around instruments and vocals are palpable, room ambiance vividly transcribed, low & high frequency extension sweet and natural. Originally released in high-output (2.5mV). Blackbird High elevates your MM system to the next level, then some.

The popularity of Sumiko Blackbird High over years perpetuated much curiosity about a low-output sister — enter Blackbird Low. Bearing the same attack and presence as its high-output counterpart, Blackbird Low delivers a quieter backdrop behind warmer, more refined overall reproduction. Added depth in sound staging also improves clarity & imaging across the board, reinforcing what we already know to be true in the Sumiko Blackbird design — it’s a high-value masterpiece among reasonably priced MCs.

From Oyster to Reference, each Sumiko phono cartridge is crafted by hand in Yokohama, Japan — near the waters where our namesake Oysters dwell. We’ve selected by ear the finest materials that combine to deliver performance that has enlightened generations of listeners. Each design is thoroughly auditioned until perfected. Production is then executed by world-class cartridge makers with a collective eye for precision & quality. The result is a full horizon of cartridges eager to introduce themselves to your analogue system — we firmly believe there’s a perfect cartridge for you here.

Technical Specifications

Stylus: Solid Ultra Low-Mass 75µm x 2.5µm Microridge
Cantilever: ⌀0.28mm Boron Shaft
Coils: High-Purity Copper
Internal Impedance: 28Ω
Load Impedance: >100Ω
Frequency Response: 12Hz – 50kHz
Output: 0.7mV
Channel Separation: 35dB @ 1kHz
Channel Balance: <0.5dB @ 1kHz
Compliance: 12×10-6cm/dyn @ 100Hz
Capacitance: 100pF – 200pF
Vertical Tracking Angle: 20°
Tracking Force Range: 1.8g – 2.2g
Recommended Tracking Force: 2.0g
Dimensions (WxHxD): 17.1 x 20.5 x 28.2mm
Weight: 9.6g