The Oyster MC for Traditionalists
Along with the release of the Reference Celebration 40, Sumiko is releasing the Blue Point No. 3 – another tribute to its 40 years of cartridge development. Sumiko has carefully studied and listened to the resonance characteristics of the Blue Point No. 2 and recognized room for refinement. Since resonance has a greater impact than many listeners realize, they sought to redesign the cabinet's resonance around the generator... and we think they've struck gold.
The Blue Point No. 3's sonic presentation is reminiscent of vintage Shure and Stanton MMs, known for their smoothness. With the proven MC generator system, this smoothness is balanced by the subtlety and nuance you expect from a Sumiko MC. First and foremost—and if that word was ever appropriate—the Blue Point No. 3 builds its sound from the bottom up, with a wonderfully smooth low-frequency response. Bass lovers will get their money's worth here. Lush and warm, yet defined and structured, the naturalness of the bass will immediately captivate you. But that's not all. You can expect the same color and richness in the midrange, which still remains transparent, and a treble that is delicate yet airy.
After Sumiko developed such a refinement of its classic design, it was only natural to introduce a low-output version. As much as Sumiko stands behind the Blue Point No. 3 High, the Blue Point No. 3 Low is a game changer. Owners of MC phono stages can experience the aforementioned audibility, but with the depth and imaging typical of a low-output design, and then some. As with its predecessors, the Blue Point No. 3 is a high-quality product that's easy on the wallet, and with the introduction of the Blue Point No. 3 Low, there's a Blue Point for everyone!
The Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 Low is suitable for medium-weight tonearms.
Technical Specifications
Output Voltage: 0.5mV
Amplifier Input/Termination: Phono MC/>100Ω
Weight: 6g
Stylus Dynamic Compliance, Lateral: 12μm*
Stylus Diamond: Elliptical (r/r 8 x 18μm).
Tracking Force: 2g
*Stylus compliance measured at 100Hz