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From: KLUDGE@AGCB1.LARC.NASA.GOV
Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end
Subject: Sumiko Blue Point and Steel Needles
Message-ID: <8462@uwm.edu>
Date: 19 Dec 90 14:01:09 GMT
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Approved: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
Originator: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu

Two more:

The Sumiko Blue Point cartridge is rather dry for my taste.  Make sure you
audition it before purchasing.  It's a good buy for the money if you like
that sound, though personally I much preferred the $20 Grado.  Eventually
I went out and bought an Adcom high output MC cartridge for about $140
(what really clinched it is that I got the guy to throw in a $20 Grado 
along with it, for a Christmas gift).  It's a lot more liquid overall.
When the thing finally gets broken in I will make a full report.

Either Lyle Cartridges in NY (they advertise in the back of Audio magazine)
or Needle in a Haystack Corp. sells steel needles for vintage gramophones.
Good quality rolled chrome steel from Czechoslovakia.  They both have 1-800
numbers and they are both very reputable firms.  Of course, you should be
careful never to use a steel needle for more than one side, and never to
attempt sharpening it.  Which is why you should probably have a lot on hand.
--scott