Sumiko Pearl

Name: Sumiko Pearl
Brand: Sumiko
SKU: 639651db9f72479b37739db9
Rating: 3.3 (27 reviews)

Based on 27 reviews

The Looria Grade (A - F) accounts for multiple factors, including sentiment, helpfulness, and more. Learn about our sources and ranking.

#107 most mentioned

Reddit · r/turntables

Great value for its price point

Elliptical stylus brings out detail in music

Generally considered to have a balanced sound and good tracking ability

Popular choice among audiophiles

Comes with useful small tools for setup

Not considered the best option for all genres of music

Some users find it lacking in detail and too thick or heavy in sound

Not all users have had a positive experience with the cartridge

Verdict

Overall, the Sumiko Pearl cartridge receives mixed reviews. Some users find it to be a great upgrade from their previous cartridges, with a balanced sound and good tracking ability. Others find it lacking in detail and too thick or heavy in sound. The cartridge is generally considered to be a good value for its price point, and its elliptical stylus is praised for its ability to bring out detail in music. Some users recommend other cartridges in a similar price range, such as the AT VM95ML or Grado cartridges. The Sumiko Pearl is generally considered to be a good choice for classic rock music, but may not be the best option for other genres. Overall, the cartridge is well-regarded for its clarity and smoothness of sound, and is a popular choice among audiophiles.

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Top reviews

After over 6 months of lurking, watching all your advice, saving and constant research I finally managed to get my first decent setup. Chuffed as Chips!

At this point all I need was the TT, Phono preamp and cabling for speakers. The guy in the shop worked around my budget to offer the best possible cartridge for the Planar 3 from the list of one's I had heard good things about which ended up being the Sumiko Pearl. He even set it all up and set the tracking force, did a deal on a preamp and sent my on my way with plenty of free cabling.

Positive

-koopa13

2 years ago

reddit.com/r/BudgetAudiophile

Sumptuous Sound, but a little heavy

Editing my original review. After comparing to some other much more elite carts (eg Clearaudio Virtuoso), I'm finding the sound a bit thick, heavy and lacking a bit in detail. I still think it can be good for classic rock, which can have very forward vocal presence etc. So while it was a good upgrad...

My current turntable, an LP120XUSB, comes with a stock VMN95E cartridge on it. I'm currently working on getting a Sansui SR 636 ready for use instead. For the Sansui, I've been looking all over for a good cartridge, and the Sumiko Pearl sounds like a decently affordable option that seems to get praise.

Positive

olivecontroller

3 years ago

reddit.com/r/turntables

According expectations - nice packaging - useful small tools to setup the cartridge ...

According expectations - nice packaging - useful small tools to setup the cartridge - be aware that this cartridge is quite tall and doesn't fit easily with standard length fixtures according the head-shell you want to put it on. nice sound !

Which stylus do you prefer?

I haven't heard a Grado Black so can't say. I think the AT VM95ML is a bit more costly but is quite nice. I liked what I heard from the Sumiko Pearl but it has more mixed reviews than the Nagaoka.

Positive

GrouchyTrousers

4 years ago

reddit.com/r/turntables

Bad sample?

How can an adc k8 blow this veiled fuzzy cart away? I sure hope this was a bad sample but I do not want to pursue it further.

Denon dp-400 new cartridge recommendations

Grado, Ortofon, Sumiko. Any of those in your price range will work nicely.

I run a Sumiko Pearl ($120) and it has an elliptical stylus. Good value.

Positive

parasitic_reset

3 years ago

reddit.com/r/turntables

audiophile cartridge at budget price.

Sumiko's top-of-the-line MM cartridge extends the parameters of sound on vinyl, accurately reproducing a wide, "live" soundstage that faithfully portrays highs, lows, and midrange. I prefer a MM cart to an MC cart because you can replace the stylus, whereas with the latter, the entire unit must be r...

Upgrade/Purchase Advice from an Orbit

Either one. The cartridges are too old. A Sumiko, Dynavector, Grado or Ortofon will out perform them.

Positive

Hifi-Cat

1 year ago

reddit.com/r/turntables

Great sound if setup correctly.

This is a great cartridge. It was easy to setup and has a very nice sound. I also have a Shure m97xe, but I prefer the sound of this one. Originally, I had issues with it. The sound was muffled and flat. To correct it, I reinstalled the stylus until it clicked onto the front. Sounds great now. I hav...

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