Sumiko Starling MC Phono Cartridge - Pre-Loved

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General:
The Sumiko Starling is one of our favorite cartridges at SkyFi. We rarely get any pre-owned pieces so this is a rare listing. It has a Boron cantilever with a Mico-Ridge stylus which is the perfect combination for a mid priced MC cartridge resulting in great detail and dynamics. 

This pre-loved cartridge has just been worked on at VAS where it received a clean bill of health. 

More details from Sumiko:
"Our new flagship open-architecture moving coil cartidge uses the same resonance-reducing body design as the Songbird, but introduces a long-grain boron cantilever and a Micro-Ridge stylus. This allows the Starling to render the grandeur of an orchestra while still preserving air and space, and also realize every detail of a nuanced Jazz recording with its responsive dynamics and deep silences. The mechanical silence of the Starling concedes a dynamic linearity across the entire spectrum that allows it to handle even the most demanding passages with effortless poise and convincing drive."

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
Almost no signs of wear.

SkyFi Technical Notes:
This cartridge just came back from the experts at VAS where it received a clean bill of health. Both coils measure exactly 29 ohms and the cantilever is nicely centered. Stylus show little to no signs of wear.

Brand Background:
For 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.

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab.

Included:
Unit and box

Packing:
Original Manufacturers Packing

Specs:
Cartridge Type: 
Moving Coil
Stylus: 
Micro-Ridge
Cantilever Material:
boron
Wire Material: 
pure copper
Internal Impedance:
28Ω
Load Impedance: 
\>100Ω
Frequency Response:
12Hz - 50kHz
Output Voltage:
0.5mV
Channel Separation: 
35dB @ 1kHz
Channel Balance: 
<0.5dB @ 1KHz
Compliance: 
12x10-6 cm/dyn @ 100Hz
Recommended Load Capacitance:
100pf - 200pF
Vertical Tracking Angle:
20°
Tracking Force: 
1.8g - 2.2g
Recommended Force: 
2.0g
Cartridge Weight: 
9.5g

Testing Process:
We 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.

We 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.

Following 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.

We then move the cartridge to a digital microscope where we take photos of the cantilever and stylus for future reference.

Next we move to the test bench where we can check for continuity of each channel and resistance.

On 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.