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2. PRODUCT REVIEW

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Sumiko Blackbird
2 Reviews
rating  5 of 5
MSRP  749.00
Description: Designed for exceedingly low noise levels, wide dynamic range and the highest possilbe fidelity in its price class, Blackbird is destined to become an analog classic. Each cartridge is assembled using time honored, labor intensive techniques, hand calibrated and critically auditioned to meet the most rigorous standards of consistancy. The main advantage of high output moving coil cartridges is the elimination of any additional gain stages, resulting in an overall reduction of the noise floor. With 2.5mV directly driving a standard 47k Ohm RIAA phono stage, the best possible signal to noise ratio is realized. Nothing but music emerges from your most treasured recordings.


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Rating
Reviewed by:
Neels Smith
(AudioPhile)

Review Date
June 21, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

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Price Paid:  $780.00 from Croak Audio

Summary:
Been a vinyl lover from my late schooldays in the 70's, I have not hear a cartridge track a record from start to finish so perfectly. I bought it new, and the first 20 hour run in was quite rough. Basically like driving a S-class Mercedes on a rough dirt road for the first 20 hours, and then suddendly hit a very smooth road. Unbelievable that the sound just opened up. Have heard from another guy that the run in on his Black Bird was not so hectic as mine. Getting better with the hour, with around 50 hours on the stylus, it is just one hell of a nice experience to sit down and listen to your vinyls. Surface noise is extremely soft, just the music taking over, with nice solid base and good soundstage. I'm using the Black Bird on a Linn LP12 with an early 80's Fidelity Research FR 66 tone arm. The FR 66 was well known for good tracking, and both it and the Black Bird compliment each other. Comparing recordings like 'Hell freezes over' by the Eagles on Vinyl, DVD and CD, the vinyl version came totally on tops!!

Strengths:
Get absolutely everything out of your vinyl. Just want to go through all your vinyls and listen how every one of them sounds like.

Weaknesses:
Absolutely none. Just bare with it the first 20 hours.

Similar Products Used:
Linn K9 Moving magnet.
Ortofon MC3 Turbo
Sumiko Special blue point EVO 3


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Rating
Reviewed by:
XJRDRIVER
(AudioPhile)

Review Date
June 20, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.43 of 5, 7 votes

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Price Paid:  $700.00 from Audio Revolutions

Summary:
I have owned many 2K to 3K cartridges over the years from Benz to Grado and neither can come close to this cartridge.This bird kicks them both in the coils. Oh did I mention that it's cost is only 799.00?

Strengths:
Perfect highs, midrange and bass response. Price

Weaknesses:
NONE


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