Sumiko Amethyst MM Phono Cartridge

SUMIKO Amethyst MM

Borrowing from and refining on the resonance-optimized housing of our latest Oyster cartridges (Moonstone, Olympia & Rainier), we further reduce output to curtail extraneous noise. Topped off with a nude line-contact diamond, the stylus couldn’t be more nimble. Reaching every nook & cranny of your record grooves and handling that information with the utmost grace, Amethyst competes favorably with similarly priced MC designs. It’s shockingly quiet and thus transparent as can be, skillfully tracing even the most complicated passages your LP collection has to offer. Expect effortless dynamic handling, depth and clarity over a black background, impeccably realistic transience and images that leap from your soundstage but remain naturally positioned.

Upgrade Path

Our 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! Such interchangeability can serve Amethyst owners in the way of a backup stylus or as a stylus set aside for certain records (e.g. older and/or damaged records). The choice is yours!

Hand-Crafted in Japan

From Oyster to Reference, each Sumiko phono cartridge is crafted by hand in Yokohama, Japan — near the waters where our namesake Oysters dwell. We’ve selected by ear the finest metals, diamonds & resin compounds 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 — we firmly believe there’s a perfect cartridge for you here.