Sumiko Rainier MM cartridge

For several years, Sumiko did not offer any new phono cartridges. We were part of those who believed the aging range required a serious updating, especially on high end products, and more specifically, moving magnet cartridges.

The manufacturer has heard us and has released four new MM cartridges: the Amethyst, Moonstone, Olympia, and Rainier. The Rainier cartridge is the entry level cartridge.

SUMIKO RAINIER: BODY

From the outside, either you like it or you do not, but this Sumiko Rainier cartridge does not look anything like competing cartridges.

The black mat finish is quite “classy”!

It is equipped with brass inserts in order to fix the screws. We appreciate this tightening method as it does not use nuts and offers an excellent tightening torque.

However, this will not please owners of “vintage” Thorens vinyl record players as this phono cartridge is not compatible with these turntables.

The body and the generator have undergone a treatment which significantly reduce internal resonances.

SUMIKO RAINIER: STYLUS

The stylus of the Rainier is a well manufactured elliptical stylus, mounted on an aluminium pipe cantilever.

The coils use a very pure copper conductor. You can upgrade your stylus and replace the original stylus with the Olympia stylus or the Moonstone stylus

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SUMIKO RAINIER: TESTING AND LISTENING

From the opening bars, this Sumiko Rainier is similar to the Sumiko Pearl MM cartridge.

It offers a smooth and natural sound restitution. The definition is excellent, even if it does not go as far as an Ortofon cartridge or a Goldring cartridge.

However, it magnificently favours timbre and presence.

The Sumiko Rainier MM cartridge is made for lovers of a bit vintage analogue sound, just like the old and “true” Shure cartridges of the time!