{"product_id":"sumiko-blue-point-no-3-high-mc-cartridge-pre-mounted-for-technics-turntable","title":"Sumiko Blue Point No.3 High MC Cartridge - Pre-mounted for Technics Turntables","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneral:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Sumiko Blue Point No. 3 is one of our favorite high-output moving coil (MC) cartridges. It offers an excellent balance of performance and value, delivering the benefits of MC cartridge design at an accessible price point. It is also a rare treat for us to see one arrive in pre-loved condition.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThanks to its high-output design, the Blue Point No. 3 can be used with virtually any moving magnet (MM) phono stage, including those built into many integrated amplifiers and preamplifiers. This allows listeners to enjoy the speed, detail, and refinement of an MC cartridge without requiring a dedicated MC phono stage.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular Blue Point No. 3 has been installed on an original Technics headshell, making it plug-and-play ready for compatible Technics turntables such as the SL-1200G, SL-1200GR2, SL-1300G, SL-50C and SL-1500C.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe cartridge has been carefully inspected under our shop microscope and is in excellent condition, showing little to no visible stylus wear. ($750 value $599+$149)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore From Sumiko:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNext-Gen Moving Coil Phono Pickup\u003cbr\u003eFar be it for us to modify a design that’s proven so practical and pleasing to such a wide variety of listeners, but as Sumiko has pushed forward in recent years with our exploration of resonance optimization, it was a matter of time before our classic Blue Point No. 2 was re-evaluated. Blue Point No. 2 – among the world’s first high-output MC cartridges – across decades has become something of a staple among listeners looking for a taste of moving coil sonics without the added expense of MC pre-amplification. We’ve long loved this cartridge and it will remain dear to us among our heritage lineup, but indeed we’ve got another ‘Point’ to make…\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlong with the release of our Reference Celebration 40, we bring you Blue Point No. 3 – another nod to our 40 years of cartridge development in the pursuit to enrich your listening experience. We’ve taken a close look \u0026amp; listen at the resonance properties of Blue Point No. 2 and have recognized room for refinement. Resonance having a more significant impact than many listeners may realize, we sought to reimagine how the housing resonates around the generator… and we feel we’ve struck gold.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe sonic presentation of Blue Point No. 3 harkens back to vintage Shure \u0026amp; Stanton MMs remembered for their smoothness. With our tried \u0026amp; true MC generator system, that smoothness is enhanced with the subtlety \u0026amp; nuance you’d expect from a Sumiko MC. First and foremost – and if ever the word were appropriate – Blue Point No. 3 assembles its sonic picture from the ground up with its oh-so buttery low-end response. Bass enthusiasts are in for a treat here. Full \u0026amp; warm yet defined \u0026amp; textured, the coziness of the bass will invite you right in. It doesn’t stop there, however. You can expect the similar lushness through the mids that remain decipherable, high-frequency attack \u0026amp; decay that’s simply sweet \u0026amp; airy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHaving developed such a refinement on a classic design, introducing a low-output variant was a no-brainer. As strongly as we stand behind Blue Point No. 3 High, Blue Point No. 3 Low is a game changer. Owners of MC phonostages can experience the same listenability mentioned above, but with the depth \u0026amp; imaging typical of a low-output design, then some. As with its predecessors, Blue Point No. 3 remains a high-value performer that’s easy on your pocket book, and with the introduction of Blue Point No. 3 Low, there’s a Blue Point for everyone!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSkyFi Cosmetic Notes:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLittle to no wear visible, stylus is clean.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBrand Background:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor nearly 40 years, SUMIKO has provided the finest array of phono cartridges to discriminating analog enthusiasts around the world. The long list of iconic models produced by SUMIKO reads like a “who’s who” of analog audio’s illustrious past.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eOwnership:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSingle Owner\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneral Sound:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSmooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCosmetic Condition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e9\/10 = Excellent. Perfect physical condition, gently used. See our detailed rating description \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/pages\/our-rating-scale\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWorking Condition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWorking perfectly and tested in our lab.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUnit and box\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePacking:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOriginal Manufacturers Packing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpecs:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMass\u003cbr\u003e6g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStylus\u003cbr\u003e0.3 x 0.7mil Elliptical\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCantilever\u003cbr\u003eAluminium Pipe\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCoils\u003cbr\u003eHigh-Purity Copper\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInternal Impedance\u003cbr\u003e135 Ω\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLoad Impedance\u003cbr\u003e47k Ω\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrequency Response\u003cbr\u003e13 Hz – 35 kHz\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOutput Voltage\u003cbr\u003e2.5mV @ 1 kHz\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChannel Separation\u003cbr\u003e30 dB @ 1 kHz\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChannel Balance\u003cbr\u003e\u0026lt;1 dB @ 1 kHz\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCompliance\u003cbr\u003e12 × 10-6cm\/dyn @ 100 Hz\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCapacitance\u003cbr\u003e100pF – 200pF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVertical Tracking Angle\u003cbr\u003e20°\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTracking Force Range\u003cbr\u003e1.8g – 2.2g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecommended Tracking Force\u003cbr\u003e2.0g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReplacement Stylus Unit\u003cbr\u003eRe-Tip Exchange (See Your Local Dealer, in this case SkyFi Audio)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTesting Process:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe start by doing a detailed physical inspection under light magnification to asses the cantilever condition, its position in the cartridge body, and the condition of the suspension.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe also inspect any coil wires and the output connections to make sure it hasn't been strained. We then perform a light cleaning with specialized agents and very carefully blow dry with compressed air.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFollowing that, we conduct a thorough examination using our Wild Heerbrugg professional microscope. From there we can asses the wear and quality of the stylus and determine how much use it has seen, and if there are any mechanical issues. We can also identify if it needs further cleaning or care.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe then move the cartridge to a digital microscope where we take photos of the cantilever and stylus for future reference.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNext we move to the test bench where we can check for continuity of each channel and resistance.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn certain cartridges (or if the technician feels necessary) we install the cartridge on a turntable and run several test records to ascertain tacking ability, distortion, and compliance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sumiko","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48561027842302,"sku":"107784","price":371.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0003\/3275\/9084\/files\/k2DmNXHlSGPGsWvtHLR8vy-ojTgWwjx17hhbq8dcE4A.jpg?v=1783616493","url":"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/en-gb\/products\/sumiko-blue-point-no-3-high-mc-cartridge-pre-mounted-for-technics-turntable","provider":"SkyFi Audio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}