Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!uwm.edu!csd4.csd.uwm.edu!info-high-audio-request
From: bill@verdix.com (William Spencer)
Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end
Subject: Re: Sumiko Blue Point (etc.)
Message-ID: <11717@uwm.edu>
Date: 3 May 91 13:12:34 GMT
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Approved: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
Originator: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu

in article <11684@uwm.edu>, carl@vega.iii.com (clifford) says:
> Sumiko Blue Point:
> What are your experiences with the Sumiko Blue Point Oyster catridge?
> I know it's gotten very good reviews from the Absolute Sound ("A Pearl
> of a Cartridge"), but others have occasionally referred to it on the net as 
> being overly forward or bright in tone. I'd like to get a broader summary of 
> views, if possible. 

I heard one with Fried R/4 speakers and, yes, it's bright. Probably would be
good with my speakers though. This was on an Ariston table & AQ arm. Still,
it was smooth not peaky, but unbalanced.

Warning to those who might be considering this cartridge: Due to the mount 
it doesn't fit all arms, especially those with semi-enclosed headshells
such as the Grace 707. This might be a consideration if you're buying a 
good cheap used 'table and would like to use this cart. (a warm fuzzy feeling 
about the previous owner not abusing the arm is good when buying used tables
also!).

_In Terms of Music_ also praised this cartridge. They point out 
that the P-mount 
design was used to allow an "off-the-shelf" headshell to be used 
for low cost. It 
requires an unusually large headshell. BTW, good magazine.

> Associated equipment: VPI jr turntable w/PT 5 arm, lead balloon turntable
> stand, Van Alstine Super Pas 3 preamp, tweaked Dyna Mk III's (updated caps); 
> Cambridge Ensemble speakers (small living room and two active children).
> At the moment, cartridge is the Grado ZTE+1.

With tubes it might not be too bright. The Cambridges might not work.
How's it now? The Grado is bright -- for a MM cartridge only. I have a 
Dynavector 10X4-II which seems fairly mellow, but it's hard to compare 
with different 'tables. Mine sounded very good with the Frieds though.

While I'm at it, I just recently added foam isolators under my 
no suspension 'table. This requires a heavy plinth design such as my 
Kenwood slab. The isolation keeps the mass of the 'table from reacting 
with the stand/table and producing bass resonance. Bass is tamed.
Strongly recommended if this applies to you. I just used  
ordinary foam rubber and some old coasters. Any _experienced_ suggestions  
on better isolators? Rubber pucks would certainly _look_ better. Cones 
made it worse.

Bill Spencer