Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 High Phono Cartridge and Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 Low Phono Cartridge

The Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 High Phono Cartridge and Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 Low Phono Cartridge are cartridge systems that are reminiscent of fine MM cartridge systems from Shure or Stanton of long ago, but offer the outstanding diversity of detail that one is accustomed to from Sumiko Audio, according to the description by the manufacturer Sumiko Audio.

It was not an easy decision to change an outstanding design like the Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 Phono Cartridge, which, after all, is already considered a classic, says Sumiko Audio.

Based on the latest developments, however, they have decided to present the successor, first and foremost the Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 High Phono Cartridge.

Reminiscence of legendary MM cartridges by Shure and Stanton

For this new cartridge system, the manufacturer even draws comparisons with legendary MM cartridge systems from Shure and Stanton, praising their fine sound, which the new Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 High Phono Cartridge is also supposed to offer, but with an even more subtle and nuanced reproduction.

The new Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 High Phono Cartridge thus offers exactly those characteristics that one might expect from a solution from Sumiko Audio.

Research in the field of resonance optimisation

In recent years, Sumiko Audio has been intensively engaged in research, especially in the field of resonance optimisation. This meant that it was time to re-evaluate the capabilities of the aforementioned Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 Phono Cartridge, a cartridge system that is considered the first MC cartridge system with particularly high output power and therefore has an immensely large, loyal following among vinyl enthusiasts.

The resonance characteristics of the Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 were closely examined and room for serious refinements was identified.

Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 High Phono Cartridge with newly designed housing

Since resonance has a greater influence than many listeners may be aware of, an attempt has been made to redesign the housing in order to prevent resonance that could damage the sound.

This measure, in combination with Sumiko Audio’s proven MC system, results in the new Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 High Phono Cartridge offering a particularly soft sound, the manufacturer even speaks of a gentle sound image, especially a very round, warm low frequency range. Bass lovers will get their money’s worth, but at the same time the reproduction remains defined and clearly structured, offering lush mids and an airy, detailed high frequency range.

Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 Low Phono Cartridge – The Game Changer

However, they did not want to leave it at the development of the classic design of the Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 Phono Cartridge to the new Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 High Phono Cartridge, they also ventured a completely new variant, the new Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 Low Phono Cartridge.

The company even calls the Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 Low Phono Cartridge a “game changer”, because it is aimed at users who own a high-quality MC phono preamplifier and can thus combine the described sound characteristics of the high output MC with the depth of reproduction of a low output design.

With the two new systems Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 High Phono Cartridge as well as Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 Low Phono Cartridge, there would be a Blue Point for everyone, says the manufacturer euphorically.

Technical data

The Blue Point No. 3 Hi Phono Cartridge uses a 0.3 x 0.7 mm elliptical stylus with an aluminium needle carrier and a high-purity copper winding. The High Output MC system weighs 6 g, delivers an output voltage of 2.5 mV with an internal impedance of 135 Ohm and a terminating resistor of 47 kOhm. It can reproduce a frequency range between 13 Hz and 35 kHz. The tracking force is said to be between 1.8 and 2.2 g, with the manufacturer recommending 2.0 g.

The Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 Low Phono Cartridge as a low output MC system also has a 0.3 x 0.7 mm elliptical stylus with an aluminium needle carrier and a high purity copper winding and weighs 6 g. The internal impedance is specified as 28 ohms, the recommended terminating resistor as more than 100 ohms and the capacitance as 100 to 200 pF. According to the manufacturer, the output voltage is 0.5 mV, the frequency range is 13 Hz to 35 kHz. Of course, the tracking force is also specified for this system with a range of 1.8 to 2.2 g, and the value specified by the manufacturer as optimal is 2.0 g.

The price for both pick-up systems is US$ 499, and they should be available in specialist shops in this country shortly.

Getting to the point

Based on the Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 Phono Cartridge, which has been extremely successful for years and is popular among vinyl lovers as a particularly versatile cartridge system at an attractive price, Sumiko Audio presents two new cartridge systems. The existing system has been improved with regard to resonance optimisation, resulting in a system on a completely new level. Surprisingly, not only the direct successor Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 High Phono Cartridge is presented, i.e. a classic High Output MC cartridge system, but also a Low Output MC cartridge system, which is called a game changer due to its fine, warm and detailed sound, the Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 Low Phono Cartridge.