Next-Gen Moving Magnet Phono Pickup
Rainier introduces Sumiko’s latest range of Oysters, which raise the bar for what can be expected from reasonably-priced MM cartridges. Their resonance-optimized housing channels extraneous resonance away from the generator, ascertaining a well-represented soundstage with fantastic clarity and a natural hint of warmth. Impressively quiet while delivering impact, Rainier skillfully places instruments & vocals right where they belong. You can expect a broader, rounder soundstage than you previously thought attainable at this price.
Design
Designed for discerning, value-minded audiophiles, Rainier, Olympia & Moonstone supplement & complement Sumiko’s existing range of Oysters. They build upon, enhance & refine the sonic character that listeners worldwide have enjoyed for decades. New innovation in cartridge design addresses the problem of resonance — the things that need to happen around a generator to voice a cartridge with honesty. The housing thusly disperses & dissipates resonance, making way for effortless, transparent sonics that are enlivened with intimate nuance. The voicing is true to natural harmonics, space around voices & instruments as well as their attack & decay. Unique to these 3 Oysters (not to mention Amethyst), experience a diminutive backdrop that bolsters sonic images with a degree of aptitude reminiscent of moving coil designs.
Upgrade Path
Sumiko’s latest range of MM cartridges is comprised of Rainier, Olympia, Moonstone, Wellfleet & Amethyst (not to mention the RS 78 replacement stylus). All styli are physically interchangeable and all cartridge bodies are identical except for Amethyst, which uses an improved anatomy to bolster the performance of the line-contact diamond. Long & short, you have 2 cartridge bodies & 6 replacement styli to choose from, enabling you to shape sonics to suit your preferences!
Hand-Crafted in Japan
From Oyster to Reference, each Sumiko phono cartridge is crafted by hand in Yokohama, Japan — near the waters where Sumiko’s 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 & quality. The result is a full horizon of cartridges eager to introduce themselves to your analog system — Sumiko firmly believes there’s a perfect cartridge for you here.
