Phono Cartridge Reviews

Talisman S MC phono cartridge Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Low-output moving-coil cartridge. Output: 0.25mV (1kHz–5cm/s). Optimum load impedance: 40–100 ohms. Channel separation: 30dB at 1kHz. Channel balance: 0.5dB at 1kHz. Frequency response: 10Hz–60kHz, +2, –1dB. Tracking ability: 80cm/s at 315Hz. Lateral and vertical dynamic compliance: 15cu. Recommended tracking force: 2gm. Stylus type: line contact. Tip radii: 2×120µmm. Cantilever: Sapphire tube. Cartridge weight: 6.3gm.
Price: $395, with van den Hul stylus (1989); no longer available (2020). Approximate number of US dealers: 400.
US Distributor: Sumiko, Berkeley, CA 94705 (1989). Sumiko, a division of the Fine Sounds Group, 6655 Wedgwood Road N Suite 115, Maple Grove, MN 55311-2814. Tel: (510) 843-4500 (2020). Web: www.sumikoaudio.net.

COMPANY INFO
Sumiko, a division of the Fine Sounds Group
6655 Wedgwood Road N Suite 115
Maple Grove, MN 55311-2814
(510) 843-4500
www.sumikoaudio.net
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
tonykaz's picture
Submitted by tonykaz on June 4, 2020 - 4:12pm

I was a stocking Dealer for Sumiko in the 1980s . My Esoteric Audio was a Turntable Specialist Shop.

I ( we ) had all three of these Cartridges in Stock and on Demo. They were excellent Sellers, out performing everything we Stocked except the Koetsu range.

Monster responded with their Alpha Cartridge which I also stocked and had on Demo. The Absolute Sound gave the Monster a unearned superb review, causing a sudden burst in Monster Sales at the $300 price point.

Customers demonstrating all the above cartridges showed the Monster to be inferior yet folks believed TAS more than thier own listening experience.

This is a cautionary tale, reviews will not typically reflect a ownership experience.

Tony in Venice

ps. the Koetsu consistently outperformed everything out there, for a hefty price. ( $600- $1,300 in 1985 Dollars ). I learned of Koetsu from John Atkinson ( thank you Mr.JA1 ) I still think that you are the highest integrity person in Audio Print.

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on June 5, 2020 - 7:07am

... quality of sound reproduction - according to J. Gordon Holt -
"sounded astoundingly like the original program sources from which discs had been cut—master tapes or direct-wire feeds from the microphones", then you would have chosen an Ortofon MC3000.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/ortofon-mc-3000-mc-phono-cartridge-j-gordon-holt-november-1988

A bit earlier in the decade, you could have had an Ortofon MC2000, which J. Gordon Holt said was "the best-sounding moving-coil cartridge I have ever heard!" and "this cartridge does everything right that all the other MCs have done wrong or almost-right-but-not-quite."

https://www.stereophile.com/phonocartridges/ortofon_mc-2000_mc_phono_cartridge/index.html

tonykaz's picture
Submitted by tonykaz on June 5, 2020 - 8:26am

I carried the first of the super pricy, ultra low output Ortofon MC Phono Cartridges. I cant recall the model no. or name. ( I think it was 1000 ) Ortofon offered their own matching Step-up Device which was also super pricy. It was 1985ish.

These devices got rave reviews. I couldn't get them to perform well. My Ortofon Rep. Tex Morton convinced me to carry the entire Ortofon line which turned out to be a Profit Center.

I'd enjoy carrying the entire Ortofon Line today, to sell on eBay. It's a high point line that earned a good reputation with everyday people.

As Ortofon began launching Phono Carts for the high end, I was closing down all of our Audio businesses. PCM was coming on strong and folk were abandoning their record players. Since I was a Turntable dominated Shop, my monthly sales plummeted.

I was happy to return to the Transportation Industry.

Tex Morton was one of the great guys in Audio ( kinda like our JA ) , I miss him

Tony in Venice

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