Sumiko Rainier Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge

Smooth, Natural Sound Reproduction

Sumiko's entry-level offering in the new Oyster line-up is the venerable Rainier, which continues the Pearl’s legacy for smooth, natural sound reproduction. After years of development, Sumiko is proud to introduce an all-new integrated body and generator system. The ability to upgrade the stock stylus to the Olympia or Moonstone makes this the perfect entry-level cartridge that will not disappoint for years to come.

Sumiko's Upgradeable Oyster Series

Rainier is one of four new additions to the acclaimed Oyster series, which comprises Sumiko's most ambitious Moving Magnet (MM) cartridge release to date. The Rainier, Olympia, and Moonstone all utilize a common housing and generator assembly, so the stylus assemblies are interchangeable. You can purchase the Rainier and upgrade to the Olympia or Moonstone without replacing the entire cartridge. The Oyster series sets a new performance standard for the audiophile on a budget.

Over Four Decades of Cartridge Design

Sumiko Oyster cartridges are products resulting from over four decades of cartridge design. Sumiko believes that delivered high performance can be achieved at reasonable prices. The Oyster line is the embodiment of this philosophy. Oyster is your ticket of entry for the high end – a world of high technology, where companies go to great lengths to recreate music in your home.

The Oyster Series offers superior construction and sound quality with an emphasis on real world performance. Whether you have purchased a moving magnet or moving coil Sumiko Oyster, you can be assured of performance and quality second to none.

• Oyster-series phono cartridge
• Smooth, natural sound reproduction
• Cartridge Type: MM
• Cantilever material: Aluminum pipe
• Wire material: Pure Copper Wire
• Replacement stylus unit: RS Moonstone, RS Rainier, RS Olympia

• Stylus: Elliptical
• Cantilever material: Aluminum pipe
• Internal Impedance: 1,130Ω
• Load Impedance: 47KΩ
• Frequency Response: 15Hz-25KHz
• Output Voltage: 5mV/1KHz
• Channel Separation: 25dB/1KHz
• Channel Balance: 1.5dB/1KHz
• Compliance at 100Hz: 10 x 10-6cm/dyne
• Recommended load capacitance: 100-200pF
• Vertical tracking angle: 20 deg
• Tracking Force: 1.8-2.2gr
• Recommended Force: 2.0 grams
• Cartridge Weight: 6.5 grams

"The Oyster Rainier offered a lovely, warm sound with a wide range of recordings, but could still kick up its heels as required. It handled warped records with aplomb, and LP surface noise was minimal, even from records I can’t get entirely clean. But when the groove was trashed, that came through in no uncertain terms."

"The Oyster Rainier performed well with both new and old records. It was far simpler to mount in a headshell than many other cartridges -- a real treat for a cartridge swapper such as I -- and it appears to work well with nearly any medium-mass arm."

"The next time I’m on the lookout for a new cartridge, the Sumiko Rainier will be on my short list. It should be on yours."

- Thom Moon, SoundStage! Access, July 1, 2018