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• Stereophile Recommended Component, Class C
  With an output of 2.5mV and recommended tracking force of 2.0gm, the new version of the Blue Point Special uses a top plate said to offer far greater rigidity while weighing less, and a 0.3 mil by 0.8 mil elliptical stylus. It proved to be "a model of tight clarity, rhythmic certainty, and excellent tracking," with "A reasonable amount of punch and an overall clean, bracing demeanor." In comparisons with more expensive cartridges, MF noted stilted harmonic development, restricted dynamic range, and diminished soundstaging. (Vol.27 No.11) April 2005
  
  Stereophile Analog Corner, Michael Fremer,
  The elliptical stylus helped make the BPS a good tracker, and transients were clean and tight, if a bit lacking in nuance. You'll get a richer midrange and greater liquidity from, say, Grado's woodenbodied Sonata, but not this level of excitement. The Sonata might make abetter overall choice for classical and acoustic music, especially female voices, but for rock and pop at an affordable price - especially if your budget system needs a shot of adrenaline - the Blue Point Special Evo III will fit the bill. -December 2004
  
  Stereophile Recommended Component Class C , October, 1996; Vol. 16 #4 & 12, by Cory Greenberg.
  "CG enthused about this nude, P-Mount-less version of the standard Blue Point MC pointing to its lack of base bloat, total honesty, and cleaner, more extended highs. It also offers excellent detail and focus. A touch of stylast applied to the underside of the cantilever optimizes the base." Hi-Fi News group test, Diamonds Are Forever, Sept., 1996, by Andrew Cartmel. · "The quality of the special and its very competitive price made it imperative to mention; he essential character of this cartridge is that it is profoundly musical. The Sumiko Blue Point Special has been referred to as a high-end bargain.
  
  Hi-Fi Choice Best Buy
  
• "This is probably one of the most enjoyable cartridges I've tried below £300: pacey and dynamic, crisp and to the point, able to pull musical life from the grooves in toe-tapping fashion. It exudes a no-nonsense kind of sound, playing the notes and hitting the rhythms without unnecessary dressing, soaring through tracks with eager aplomb. From House of Love to Sibelius, it proved an engaging performer.
  
• Bass has pleasing authority and drive, and it passes the percussive test with ease - snapping snares and solid kick drums are an instant hit. At times it's a touch rough around the edges, and one or two competitors offer better front-to-back perspectives and some buyers may prefer a richer balance. But for me, this Sumiko's direct musical statement makes it a Best Buy at the price."
  

 

Specifications

Cartridge Type	MC
Frequency Response	12Hz-50KHz
Output Voltage/Channel	2.5mV
Channel Separation	35dB
Channel Balance	0.5dB
Compliance	(x10-6 cm/dyne) 12
Stylus Size/Shape	.3x.7/Elliptical
Load Impedance	47k Ohms
Tracking Force Range	1.7-2.1 grams
Recommended Force	2.0 grams
Cartridge Weight	9.0 grams

 

 

LYRA Argo The Lyra Argo received third place in the category of cartridges up to a £1000. Hi Fi News said: ‘Last year's winner remains a favourite, an‘affordable' Lyra with stunning weight and drive yet delicacy and finesse.'	LYRA Helicon The Lyra it is an extremely musical performer in the right setup: rich and robust in the midrange without thickness; with extended bass and treble; while at the same time having a very smooth and detailed presentation. The best recordings sound LIVE. There is an immediacy, a palpable presence with this cartridge, that snaps me to attention and makes me catch my breath.
SUMIKO Blackbird "The Blackbird's strongest point were its background quiet and power, extension, and focus of its bass. It threw a big, wide-open soundstage, revealing plenty of low-level detail, and brought forth a shimmering, well-balanced top end with no hint of bright delicacy and palpability, will come only with spending more money. "A strong Class B cartridge," said MF, "a real sweetheart." (Vol.27 No.1) April 2005 Stereophile Stereophile 2004 Analog Source Component Runner-Up (reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.27 No.1, January 2004)	Brinkmann EMT Properly loaded into a first-rate phono stage, the EMT is dynamic, lively, extremely detailed and full-bodied. It is not a warm and beautiful cartridge like a Koetsu. Nor is it analytic and ruthlessly revealing. It makes music in an absolutely convincing and tonally balanced way. Tonally and dynamically, it is an even-handed performer top to bottom: No hype in the presentation anywhere, a model of composure and self-confidence.
SUMIKO BPS Evo III Hi-Fi Choice Best Buy "This is probably one of the most enjoyable cartridges I've tried below £300: pacey and dynamic, crisp and to the point, able to pull musical life from the grooves in toe-tapping fashion. It exudes a no-nonsense kind of sound, playing the notes and hitting the rhythms without unnecessary dressing, soaring through tracks with eager aplomb. From House of Love to Sibelius, it proved an engaging performer.	SUMIKO Celebration Pearwood Michael Fremer had this to say about the Celebration (Sterophile Feb 2001 Vol 24 No 2) "The Celebration was a music-lover's cartridge - for those who value harmonic richness over ultra-low-level detail, transparency, and spatial resolution..." "With its rich harmonic presentation its fine transient response, its robust bass, and its bold imaging it should easily win over many analog lovers.... "