If a picture is worth 1000 words, Starling propels the question of what a sonic image might be worth. Evident in the very existence of our hobby is music’s unique ability to reach us with a certain profundity that exists well outside of what we can hear. It can be said that feelings are what we’re chasing, and if invoked by the most convincing portrayal of your dearest recordings, those feelings can be all the more profound. A sonic image can thus be priceless, and they’ve designed Starling to realize that image in your system. Added to the resonance-optimized head block & generator borrowed from Songbird, Starling implements a rigid boron cantilever finished with an ultra-low-mass Microridge stylus. Microridge is a diamond profile highly regarded worldwide for its even-handedness while simultaneously delivering richness & clarity. Bonded to our assembly, rarely has this famous stylus achieved such agility in the groove — certainly not at Starling’s price. What you experience is gorgeously suspended sonic imagery that places you just where you want to be — front & center.
Our Latest Reference Open-Body MCs
We are immeasurably excited about these recent additions to our Reference open-body MC lineup. Our latest darlings — Songbird & Starling — are a heavy refinement on our tried & true Blackbird & BPS EVO III designs. Securely anchored to a highly rigid, resonance-optimized head block, our new generator is free to work its magic with the utmost control, free of unwanted internal resonance. The generator assembly is flexible and sturdy, offering the highest fidelity possible in a perfect balance of clarity and romance. The result is industry-leading, holographic imaging with irresistibly ‘true’ sweetness. Each delivers a degree of honesty & refinement that we couldn’t be more proud of, nor more excited for you to hear for yourself.
Trade-In or Trade-Up
As user-replaceable styli are not on an option for moving coil phono cartridges, remember that any of our MCs, functional or otherwise, can be returned to your dealer in a re-tip exchange — a discount on the same cartridge or one model up, sparing you expense when your stylus heads south!
Hand-Crafted in Japan
From Oyster to Reference, each Sumiko phono cartridge is crafted by hand in Yokohama, Japan — near the waters where our namesake Oysters dwell. Sumiko selected by ear the finest materials that combine to deliver performance that has enlightened generations of listeners. Each design is thoroughly auditioned until perfected. Production is then executed by world-class cartridge makers with a collective eye for precision & quality. The result is a full horizon of cartridges eager to introduce themselves to your analog system — Sumiko firmly believes there’s a perfect cartridge for you here.
TECHNICAL SPECS
- Mass & Dimension: 9.5g, 17 x 18 x 28.5mm (WxHxD)
- Stylus: Solid Ultra Low-Mass 75µm x 2.5µm Microridge
- Cantilever: ⌀0.28mm Boron Shaft
- Coils: High-Purity Copper
- Internal Impedance: 28Ω
- Load Impedance: >100Ω
- Frequency Response: 12Hz – 50kHz
- Output: 0.5mV
- Channel Separation: 35dB @ 1kHz
- Channel Balance: <0.5dB @ 1kHz
- Compliance: 12×10-6cm/dyn @ 100Hz
- Capacitance: 100pF – 200pF
- Vertical Tracking Angle: 20°
- Tracking Force Range: 1.8g – 2.2g
- Recommended Tracking Force: 2.0g
- Replacement Stylus Unit: Re-Tip Exchange (See Dealer)
PRODUCT INFORMATION:
Model: STARLING | Barcode: 844682009315
WARNING: California Residents - Proposition 65. This product can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov