Sumiko - Rainier MM Cartridge

Rainier introduces our latest range of Oysters, which raise the bar for what can be expected from reasonably-priced MM cartridges. Our resonance-optimized housing channels extraneous resonance away from the generator, ascertaining a well-represented soundstage with fantastic clarity and a natural hint of warmth. Impressively quiet while delivering impact, Rainier skillfully places instruments & vocals right where they belong. You can expect a broader, rounder soundstage than you previously thought attainable at this price. 

Our Latest Oysters

Designed for discerning, value-minded audiophiles, Rainier, Olympia & Moonstone supplement & complement our existing range of Oysters. They build upon, enhance & refine the sonic character that listeners worldwide have enjoyed for decades. New innovation in cartridge design addresses the problem of resonance — the things that need to happen around a generator to voice a cartridge with honesty. The housing thusly disperses & dissipates resonance, making way for effortless, transparent sonics that are enlivened with intimate nuance. The voicing is true to natural harmonics, space around voices & instruments as well as their attack & decay. Unique to these 3 Oysters (not to mention Amethyst), experience a diminutive backdrop that bolsters sonic images with a degree of aptitude reminiscent of moving coil designs. 

Upgrade Path

Rainier, Olympia & Moonstone replacement styli are interchangeable. We encourage you to follow the upgrade path to experience the best of what this design has to offer! 

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. We’ve 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 — we firmly believe there’s a perfect cartridge for you here.

Cartridge Type: Moving Magnet
Stylus: Elliptical
Cantilever Material: aluminum pipe
Wire Material: pure copper
Internal Impedance: 1,130Ω
Load Impedance: 47kΩ
Frequency Response: 15Hz - 25kHz
Output Voltage: 5.0mV
Channel Separation: 25dB @ 1kHz
Channel Balance: 1.5dB @ 1kHz
Compliance: 10x10-6 cm/dyn @ 100Hz
Recommended Load Capacitance: 100pF - 200pF
Vertical Tracking Angle: 20°
Tracking Force: 1.8g - 2.2g
Recommended Force: 2.0g
Cartridge Weight: 6.5g
Replacement Stylus Unit:
   RS Rainier
   RS Olympia
   RS Moonstone