Sumiko Songbird Cartridge Review

I don't see a contradiction between the choice of an elliptical stylus by the manufacturer and the fact that the accompanying booklet covers VTA etc. They aren't saying such things aren't important ; they are just providing a needle choice that makes the nth degree of adjustment non critical.

This is why we don't read!

Just found this, yes I know it's a long time ago, but for goodness sake stop filming yourself so much and play some records with your reviews. Cheers.

That’s a bucket load of cash! I’ve been considering this cartridge, I’ll have to sell my house to buy one! Oh well, I can always get a caravan too?

seems reasonable to me. a high-end cartridge that tries to minimize how fussy it is. that's reasonable isn't it? even if I spend hours (which I do) setting up, I have little confidence in my optimization and my setup abilities. maybe my skills aren't good enough, or my tuning not precise enough to get within 0.1deg and 0.1g of optimal.

What have you found that would give a little more focus but still have emotion? I'm all about the emotion you can feel from a song but don't want to fully compromise.

thank you great video - I have now a Goldring Eroica LX looking for an upgrade I really like the sound of the eroica.

Would the Songbird be a considerable upgrade to the Goldring 1042 which is currently installed on my TT? I have seen your review on the GR 1042. I am considering upgrading to an MC cartridge to be installed on my VPI Prime Scout.

…alrighty, as an official owner of this cart…. It really SINGGGGSSSSS… After about a month and a half of weekly use for 2 hours it just came ALIVE (breaking in) I’m really enjoying it… I would say its worth the $950 I paid for it….

Nice articulate review Mr AM ! do we detect slight scouse accent

I was looking for a review of this cartridge and do appreciate the elaborate story here. I am however inclined to suggest that even the most mediocre of cartridges will most certainly benefit from close to correct azimuth and SRA. These for me are of vital importance, having a decent cartridge with poor alignment is as good as playing a guitar with one string tuned sharper than it should. I have never listened to a songbird but had the Evo iii for many years, till I discovered dynavector. Thank you nonetheless

I say close to correct because nothing can be absolutely precise in real world circumstances. We are subjected to varied thickness of LPs, raising or lowering VTA ever so slightly. LPs often don't spin on a flat axis, again making miniscule changes to azimuth as it is being played.

So perhaps what the manufacturer suggests is that this is a cartridge that is less susceptible to changes under real world circumstances.

This cartridge may also work well with valve phono stages that do not feature an inbuilt SUT. Infact much like the popular Sumiko Blue Point no.2 & Dynavector 10X cartridges.

The Cure-Pornography is an Excellent album!!!

I had the sumiko evo 3 at £ 600,great cartridge ,but because it’s naked in build ,it’s easy to damage,as mine did after 12 months!replaced it with a sound Smith othello.

Good for the rega p6 and elex r? An upgrade from an exact

You should include music playing much more rather than just verbalized your sound impressions

Why not 1k or 10k... money are for spending...

power corruption and lies...good choice

Serious question: Can you speak without trying to land a jet on the deck of an aircraft carrier? (whoa, I'm dizzy from all the hand flailing)

So this is an idiot proof cart, interesting. I like the naked aesthetics by the way.

Hmm, £900? ... my entire hi-fi setup is less than half of that. Time to speak to wifey .. 😬

I purchased many cartridges in the past 5 years, never spending more than $100 bucks or so wether used or new. One of my all time favorites because of price and prrformance is my $34 all in one Ortofon Omega. Had it for two years still sings like a songbird. I love my Stanton 500. All of my various ATs are awesome too. I do have a Shure V15 III that is spectacular as well. I would never pay more than $100 bucks on any Cartridge w Stylus.

Thanks mr audiophile man for another great video yes it’s the hi end of hifi but hifi is a mix of a myriad of price items Thanks to you And your knowledgeable advice I now have a rega phono stage and rega psu to go with my rega P3 deck as far as I’m concerned knowledge is king And if you’re in the market for such a cartridge ie your many subscribers may be well enlightened. keep well keep safe regards Mike

Audio-technica VM540ML is a 220 pound cartridge and it has a micro-line stylus, if audio-technica can do it for that price, why can't other manufactures?

..... £900! Have you lost your mind??!!! 😱.....