Sumiko Olympia MM cartridge

The Sumiko Olympia MM cartridge is the second cartridge of the “Oyster range” offered by the Californian manufacturer. This range includes four MM cartridges: the Amethyst, Moonstone, Rainer, and Olympia.

Sumiko Olympia: Body

You either like or do not like its look!? Indeed, but this Sumiko Olympia 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 turntables as this phono cartridge is not compatible with these vinyl record players.

The body and the generator have undergone a treatment which significantly reduces internal resonances and limits colour.

Sumiko Olympia: Stylus

The stylus is a very thin 0.3 x 0.7 microns elliptical stylus. It is mounted on an aluminium cantilever.

The coils use a very pure copper conductor.

The Olympia cartridge can be upgraded by replacing the OEM stylus with the Sumiko Moonstone stylus.

Sumiko Olympia: Testing and listening

The stylus of the Sumiko Olympia, combined with the cantilever, offers a better dynamic and frequency response than the Sumiko Rainer.

The definition is also superior and there are less surface noises.

The sound restitution is similar as on other Sumiko phono cartridges. The sound restitution favours smoothness and balance. It is also very natural and has an excellent timbre.

The Sumiko Olympia MM cartridge is made for lovers of analogue sound, and the nostalgics of “warm” cartridges of the time!