Delivers the sweetest highs over a robust, rich and clear low-mid range. Like its older brother, the Starling, the Songbird suspends sound images in a very controlled way. Rather than the music being thrown from the speakers, the user finds himself among the instruments naturally placed on the soundstage, very close to the intimate nuances of the musical material. If you have an MM phono section, chances are Songbird High is the cartridge you've been dreaming of.

Clear and ultra-musical with just the right degree of warmth, Songbird Low offers an even deeper soundstage with a wider range in width. As it is generally quieter, allowing more detail to come to the surface, you will be surprised by the surprises it produces even in the recordings with which you are most familiar. Impressively holographic in a way that's close to Starling's, Songbird Low maximizes the refinement of its MC system at a price that's well below reasonable considering the performance it achieves.

Our latest open-body reference MCs.

We are immeasurably excited about these recent additions to our Reference open body MC line. Our latest favorites - Songbird and Starling - are a strong refinement of our tried and true Blackbird and BPS EVO III designs. Securely anchored to a highly rigid, resonance-optimized head block, our new generator is free to work its magic with maximum control, free of unwanted internal resonances. The generator set is flexible and robust, offering the highest possible fidelity in a perfect balance of clarity and romance. The result is an industry leading holographic image with irresistibly "true" sweetness. Each of them offers a degree of honesty and refinement that we could not be more proud of,

Change or improve.

As user replaceable needles are not an option for moving coil cartridges, remember that any of our MCs, functional or not, can be returned to your dealer for a tip exchange - a discount on the cartridge itself or on a superior model, saving you costs when your needle goes bad.

Handmade in Japan.

From Oyster to Reference, every Sumiko phono cartridge is handcrafted in Yokohama, Japan, near the waters where our namesake oysters live. We have selected by ear the best materials that combine to deliver a performance that has enlightened generations of listeners. Each design is thoroughly tested until perfected. Next, production is carried out by world-class cartridge manufacturers with a collective eye for precision and quality. The result is a full horizon of cartridges eager to get into your analog system - we firmly believe that there is a perfect cartridge for you here.

Weight and measurements.

8.5g, 17 x 18 x 28.5mm (W x H x D).

Stylet.

Elliptical 0.3 x 0.7 mm.

Cantilever

0.5mm treated aluminum tube.

Coils.

High purity copper.

Internal impedance.

28Ω.

Load impedance.

> 100Ω.

Frequency response.

12Hz - 40kHz.

Departure.

0.5mV.

Channel separation.

30dB @ 1kHz.

Channel balance.

<0.5dB @ 1kHz.

Accordance.

12 × 10-6cm / dyn @ 100Hz.

Capacitance

100pF - 200pF.

Vertical tracking angle.

20 °.

Tracking force range.

1.8g - 2.2g.

Recommended tracking force.

2.0g.

Needle replacement unit.

Tip exchange (see dealer).