This product is no longer available to order and will not be coming back into stock.
In Stock products are those that are currently held in stock at our Oxfordshire warehouse. This stock status is updated regularly but is subject to change at very short notice.
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Urgent order items are products that we do not normally carry on stock, but they are typically held on stock by our European suppliers. Depending on availability, we will seek to order these products quickly, when we have an enquiry. They can therefore be subject to quicker availability times than "Special Order" products.
Special Order items are those that are most often built to order. For these items, we tend to experience longer lead times as we negotiate them into the production line with our suppliers.
RRP: £319.95
By combining a reduced moving-mass and output with a listen-tested elliptical diamond profile, Moonstone transcribes sonic imagery with weight, richness, depth & sparkle. Texture is keenly realistic. The sonic image is suspended and well-controlled over a nearly-absent noise floor, providing fantastic clarity.
The Moonstone features a finely polished elliptical stylus for accurate information retrieval from the record groove. Mounted on to a bespoke cantilever, and utilising a smaller magnet than its more affordable siblings, the Moonstone still uses the same integrated body and generator system as its kin, which is designed to significantly reduce internal resonances. The end result is a still affordable high-performance moving magnet cartridge that gives the punch and convincing realism of a good moving magnet design, but with a well-balanced, dimensionally dense and breathtakingly dynamic sonic spectrum that's more relatable to a moving coil-type.
Designed for discerning, value-minded audiophiles, Sumiko's latest generation premium moving magnet Oysters build upon, enhance and refine the sonic character that listeners worldwide have enjoyed for decades. The cartridge body design addresses the problem of resonance by dispersing and dissipating it away from the generator system resulting in a sound quality, reminiscent of moving coil designs.
From Oyster to Reference, each Sumiko phono cartridge is crafted by hand in Yokohama, Japan — near the waters where their namesake Oysters dwell. They’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 and quality.
Hi-Fi Choice take a look at our big, expansive sounding Moonstone
"The Moonstone imbues everything with a sepia-tinted hue that’s really nice."
Henley Says...
The premium moving magnets in the Sumiko Oyster range combine classic, high-end sound with modern technology and convenient interchanging styli. We love them because each model in the range packs clever technology into their anti-resonant body, and each delivers Sumiko's warm, rich sound signature, becoming more and more nuanced as you travel up the series toward the stand-alone Amethyst model. The later addition of the Wellfleet gave further depth and flexibility for the whole range. These are ideal for anyone who wants big sound on a budget.
Cartridge installation takes time and requires a level of understanding for the turntable/tonearm you are fiiting to. We've put together some comprehensive advice and size guides, available here, which will help you through each step of the procedure.
However, if at any time you feel uncomfortable with the task at hand, be sure to contact us or your local retailer for assistance.
Cartridge installation takes time and requires a level of understanding for the turntable/tonearm you are fiiting to. We've put together some comprehensive advice and size guides, available here, which will help you through each step of the procedure.
However, if at any time you feel uncomfortable with the task at hand, be sure to contact us or your local retailer for assistance.