Sumiko Amethyst Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge

Sumiko Amethyst Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge

What You Need to Know

Sumiko’s Flagship Moving Magnet

The Sumiko Amethyst Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge sits at the very top of Sumiko’s celebrated Oyster Series—a moving magnet built to challenge far more expensive moving coil designs. Handcrafted in Japan, the Amethyst combines a nude line-contact stylus, a low-noise generator, and an enhanced body for truly audiophile-grade MM performance.

It delivers the resolution and refinement of high-end analog with the convenience and easy compatibility that make moving magnets so appealing.

Nude Line-Contact Stylus Unlocks the Groove

At the heart of the Amethyst is a nude line-contact diamond stylus. Cut from a single piece of diamond with no bonding joint, its extended contact profile rides more of the groove wall than a conventional elliptical—retrieving finer detail while reducing distortion and record wear.

You’ll hear cleaner vocals, more realistic instruments, and composed, articulate playback even on demanding inner grooves.

Low-Noise, Low-Impedance Generator

The Amethyst uses an improved generator with unusually low internal impedance for a moving magnet design. The result is a quieter background, greater transparency, and a wider, more stable soundstage than typical MM cartridges can manage.

User-Replaceable, Upgradeable Stylus

Unlike a moving coil, the Amethyst’s stylus is fully user-replaceable—no tools, no re-tipping service, no downtime. It also shares its fitting with the rest of the Oyster Series, so the Amethyst stylus can serve as the ultimate upgrade for Rainier, Olympia, Moonstone, and Wellfleet owners.

Handcrafted in Japan

Every Sumiko Amethyst is individually assembled, adjusted, and tested by experienced cartridge craftsmen in Yokohama, Japan.

Building Your System

The Amethyst is an excellent match for quality turntables with medium-mass tonearms and any standard MM phono input.

For listeners who want top-tier analog sound without the loading, gain, and re-tipping considerations of a low-output moving coil, the Amethyst is one of the finest choices available.

Features & Specifications

Nude Line-Contact Diamond Stylus
Retrieves exceptional detail while reducing distortion and record wear.

Lightweight Aluminum Pipe Cantilever
Hollow, low-mass design for fast, accurate transient response.

Low-Noise MM Generator
Low internal impedance for a quieter background and greater transparency.

User-Replaceable Stylus
Swap in seconds—no re-tipping service required.

Precision Japanese Craftsmanship
Each cartridge is hand-built and individually tested.

Standard ½-Inch Mount
Threaded mounting holes make installation easy on most modern tonearms.

Specifications

•          Type: Moving Magnet (MM)

•          Stylus: Nude Line-Contact Diamond (user-replaceable)

•          Cantilever: Aluminum Pipe

•          Output: 2.5mV

•          Load Impedance: 47k ohms

•          Mounting: Standard ½-inch

•          Tracking Force: 2.0 grams (recommended)

•          Weight: 6.5 grams

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special phono preamp?
No. The Amethyst works with any standard moving magnet (MM) phono input.

How does the Amethyst compare to the Wellfleet and Moonstone?
The Amethyst steps up to a nude line-contact stylus, a lower-noise generator, and an enhanced body—delivering greater detail, lower distortion, and a larger soundstage than any other Oyster Series cartridge.

Can I upgrade another Oyster Series cartridge with the Amethyst stylus?
Yes. The replacement Amethyst stylus fits the Rainier, Olympia, Moonstone, and Wellfleet bodies, making it a superb upgrade path.

How does it compare to the Blue Point No. 3?
The Blue Point No. 3 offers the characteristic speed and air of a moving coil, while the Amethyst delivers comparable refinement with the convenience of a user-replaceable stylus. Many listeners consider the Amethyst the best of both worlds.

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