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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.
Particularly adept with vocals & acoustic instruments, Sumiko created Songbird to make genuine moving coil imaging available to any listener. It delivers the sweetest highs over a robust, rich yet clear low-midrange. Like its big sibling Starling, Songbird suspends sonic images in a highly controlled manner. As opposed to music being flung from your speakers, you’re placed among the naturally-positioned instruments in the soundstage, close in proximity to the intimate nuances of the musical material.
The Songbird and the superior Starling model are a heavy refinement on the long-standing Blue Point Special EVO III design. Securely anchored to a highly rigid, resonance-optimised headblock, the specialised generator system is free to work its magic with the utmost control, free of unwanted internal resonance. The generator assembly is flexible and sturdy, offering the highest fidelity possible in a perfect balance of clarity and romance. The result is industry-leading, holographic imaging with irresistibly ‘true’ sweetness. Each delivers a degree of honesty & refinement that you couldn't be more impressed by.
Sumiko are the market-leaders in high-output Moving Coil designs. So if you have an MM phono stage but want a premium MC experience, there’s a good chance Songbird High is the cartridge you’ve been dreaming about.
Clear and ultra-musical with just the right degree of warmth, the Songbird Low offers an even deeper soundstage with greater reach width-wise. As it’s generally more quiet thus allowing more detail to surface, you’ll be shocked by the surprises it yields even in the recordings you’re most familiar with. Stunningly holographic in a manner that approaches that of Starling, Songbird Low maximises the refinement of your MC system at a price that’s well below reasonable considering the performance it achieves.
Get the right Songbird for your system.
Hi-Fi Choice "Recommends" the Songbird Low
"An extremely accomplished cart at a relatively affordable price that will work in a wide variety of systems."
StereoNet give the Songbird Low an Applause Award
"Uncomplicated to set up and is instantly gratifying to set ears upon."
Paul Rigby takes a shine to our "rather naked" Songbird
"The Songbird is all about feeling. It wants to reach out and touch you, in a terribly hetero way, of course. It wants to get drunk with you, give you a bear hug and exclaim, “I love you, man <sniff>.”"
Noel Keywood checks out the Songbird High
"Sumiko’s Songbird has some great sonic strengths: think fine bass, solid and expressive, excellent mid-band vocals with body and dynamic punch"
Henley Says...
The Sumiko Songbird is a superb Cartridge, available at an even better price. Offering rich vocals, prominent bass, and a visually striking appearance, the Songbird is able to delivery a truly present, and captivating performance.
The option to choose between both Low and High Output is very helpful to many, as the High output version enables those with phono preamps specific to Moving Magnet cartridges, the ability to integrate a Moving Coil Cartridge into their system without any additional components.
I recently purchased a Songbird myself, and to say the least I am completely infatuated. The cartridged has elevated my system entirely, and has given me a quality of sound I didnt think possible. I could not recommend the Songbird enough!
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.
