The low-output version of Sumiko's hand-built open-body Songbird, for systems with a proper moving-coil phono stage.
The Songbird Low shares its design with the Songbird High: an open-body, hand-built and hand-calibrated moving coil from Sumiko's Reference Series, refined from the Blue Point Special EVO III and borrowing from the Starling. The generator is fixed to a CNC-machined aluminum mounting plate to control resonance, with a 0.3 × 0.7 mil elliptical stylus on a coated 0.5 mm aluminum cantilever. The difference is in the coils. The Low version has far fewer windings, bringing internal impedance down to 28 Ω and output to 0.5 mV.
StereoNET found it easy to set up and quick to reward, with strong midrange detail and vocal presence, and it followed complex dynamics with speed and poise. Treble stayed free of harshness. Its one shortcoming was slightly less bass weight than the reviewer's much more expensive reference, and he rated it a strong value. It suits medium-mass tonearms. You will need an MC phono stage with plenty of gain (around 60 dB or more) or a step-up transformer, loaded at 100 Ω or higher. If your phono stage only has an MM input, the Songbird High (2.5 mV) is the one to choose.
| Type | Low-output moving coil (MC), open body |
| Output | 0.5 mV |
| Internal impedance | 28 Ω |
| Recommended load | Greater than 100 Ω; 100–200 pF |
| Tracking force | 1.8–2.2 g (2.0 g recommended) |
| Compliance | 12 µm/mN (dynamic, lateral) |
| Tracking ability | 70 µm at 315 Hz |
| Weight | 8.5 g |
| Stylus | Elliptical diamond, 0.3 × 0.7 mil |
| Cantilever | Coated aluminum, 0.5 mm |
| Frequency response | 12 Hz – 40 kHz |
| Channel separation / balance | 30 dB at 1 kHz / <0.5 dB |
| Also available | Songbird High (2.5 mV, MM-input compatible) |
Pearl Audio is an authorized Sumiko dealer. Call or visit our Portland showroom to talk about matching a cartridge to your tonearm and phono stage.
