SONGBIRD HIGH OUTPUT
High Output Moving Coil Phono Cartridge
We have created Songbird High to make genuine moving coil refinement available to listeners with MM phono stages. It benefits from our famous open-architecture design that prevents intrusive resonance from coloring and distorting sound. It is clear but not forward, approaching music with tonal balance and cohesive, intelligent soundstaging. Highs are sweet and extended, mids are rich and clear. Bass is full, textured and deep-reaching. There is an understated elegance in its ability to effortlessly portray the whole sonic picture — nothing overdone, nothing underdone. Free of fatiguing distractions, it draws you deeply into the soundstage wherein you can enjoy the most intimate nuances of your favorite recordings. Images are confidently suspended and rife with dynamic allure, always encouraging you keep on listening.
“The Songbird, with its sweet tone and subtle textures, is cut from the same sonic cloth as its Reference series sibling, the Starling” —Stereophile Recommended Component
“If you want to try a high output moving coil cartridge that’s well-built, reasonably priced does everything well, and resolves sufficient detail to make you sit up and take notice… Sumiko’s new Songbird is a well-voiced, high performance choice I don’t think you’ll regret making.” —Analog Planet
SONGBIRD - LOW OUTPUT
The low output rendition of Songbird represents the peak performance of this design. Moving mass and internal impedance are dramatically reduced by requiring far fewer turns of copper in the coils. As a result, detail, dynamics, resolution, and transients all improve. Like the high output version, Songbird Low benefits from our famous open-architecture design that prevents intrusive resonance from coloring and distorting sound. It is clear but not forward, approaching music with tonal balance and cohesive, intelligent soundstaging. Highs are sweet and extended, mids are rich and clear. Bass is full, textured and deep-reaching. There is an understated elegance in its ability to effortlessly portray the whole sonic picture — nothing overdone, nothing underdone. Free of fatiguing distractions, it draws you deeply into the soundstage wherein you can enjoy the most intimate nuances of your favorite recordings. Images are confidently suspended and rife with dynamic allure, always encouraging you keep on listening.
“It’s also really good at tracking complex dynamics in a piece of music, showing poise and effortlessness – more hallmarks of a serious high-end pickup…” —Stereonet Applause Award
“As I’ve mentioned, the Sumiko Reference Line excels at deep bass. With the Sumiko Songbird, I felt that same brush up against my chest, the feeling of air moving quickly across the room, along the floor until it rises up to embrace you.” —Part-Time Audiophile
Our Reference Series Open-Body MCs
Our Reference Series open-architecture cartridges minimize the potential for coloration and distortion due to energy buildup that is sometimes propagated by the conventional cartridge body. Internal resonance is damped within the generator while remaining resonance travels up through the bonded mounting plate & headblock, then down the tonearm where it is dissipated harmlessly. The PEEK generator mounting plate provides the utmost stability and energy transfer while the stiff alloy headblock is the conduit through which that energy exits the cartridge. The generator itself minimizes distortion and losses through the implementation of pure metals and intelligent orientation of the same. The performance of this sophisticated generator is bolstered by our multi-faceted approach to resonance control, precipitating to clean, musical, and highly listenable sonics.
