Wellfleet Stylus - Replacement needle - Sumiko

• Wellfleet Stylus - Replacement needle - Sumiko

Needle insertion for the Sumiko Wellfleet
Dynamic needle compliance, lateral: 12μm*
Elliptical needle ground joint (r/R 8x18μm).
Contact force: 2g
* Needle compliance measured at 100Hz

Upgrade options for Sumiko MM cartridges
Sumiko moving magnet cartridges can be upgraded in a particularly convenient way: the sound is upgraded by simply replacing the stylus insert. A major advantage of this concept is that all upgradeable MM models are operated with identical tracking force. This means that no further adjustment or setting work is required after changing the needle carrier - an uncomplicated and reliable way to improve the sound.

The generator is identical for the Black Pearl and Pearl models, meaning that a Black Pearl can be fully upgraded to a Pearl by using a Pearl needle insert. From the Rainier model series up to the Amethyst, however, different generators are used. These design differences also contribute to the respective sonic signature. A detailed look at the individual models and their technical features can be found in a detailed technical report by Bernhard Rietschel in LowBeats magazine.

Sonic advantages of higher-quality needle inserts
As the quality level of the styli increases, more sophisticated materials and production methods are used. Lighter needle carriers improve the impulse behavior, while higher quality diamonds - either mounted naked or with refined cutting geometries - enable more precise groove scanning. In addition, improved polishing of the diamond, both along and across the crystal structure, reduces distortion and significantly increases detail resolution. The result is audibly improved sound quality in the areas of transparency, fine detail and dynamics.

Upgrade levels of the stereo stylus inserts

• Rainier: Simple stylus with elliptically cut diamond (r/R 8 × 18 µm)
• Olympia: Carefully selected scanning diamond, also elliptical cut (r/R 8 × 18 µm)
• Moonstone: Lightweight aluminum needle carrier with elliptical diamond cut (r/R 8 × 18 µm)
• Wellfleet: Naked mounted (nude) diamond with elliptical cut (r/R 8 × 18 µm)
• Amethyst: Naked diamond with high-quality line-contact cut (r/R 5 × 20 µm)
• Optional shellac stylus

The RS78 stylus is optionally available for all MM cartridges in the Rainier to Amethyst series. This is equipped with a spherical stylus (R 76 µm) and is specially designed for the proper reproduction of shellac records. This extends the range of applications of the pickups to historical sound carriers without compromising on material protection.