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I actually wanted to do only Sumiko Amethyst review. But while thinking and writing about Amethyst, I realized that Sumiko Amethyst and Ortofon 2m Black are two sides of the same coin. They both hold tremendous value in the moving magnet scene, and for most, they are as far as they will go in their sonic evolution.
So instead of creating one review, why don’t I just do both and call the review 2 End Game Moving Magnet Cartridges, or something like that. I have great experience with both, and I think I can speak candidly about them more.
And they truly are the two sides of the same coin, as both have weaknesses and greatness in different areas. I will expose them like that, and while listening to me speak about pros and cons, you’ll realize what I mean. And with that, without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, let’s speak about fantastic moving magnet phono cartridges!
Why MM and not MC in this price range? And what is End Game MM Catridge?
End game… tough word in the Hi-Fi world. So, is it the best there is? But how can it even begin to compare to moving coil? Lots of questions, and I will try to answer a few of them.
Are these the best ever? No, but they are the best for most people.
They deliver tremendous value before the point where the more you add, the less you get in hi-fi. Which means to start seeing significant improvements from these two bad boys, you need to add far more money, and for a lot of people, that is not reasonable.
Even though “end game” is extremely subjective. For some, Sumiko Rainier, or Ortofon 2m Blue is end game. It is much better than stock cartridges, so they will be forever satisfied with that. For others, if it is not Lyra Atlas or Van Den Hul, don’t even dare to call anything less “end game.”
But aren’t there many other great moving coil cartridges in this price range? Why choose moving magnet? Here’s a short answer: if you have a great phono preamp, you can go to a few moving coil cartridges in this price range to get better performance. But it’s not significantly better performance, just a bit better. And that is what’s so great with these two, how they create parity to some of these cartridges.
But there is one point that goes superbly in favor of moving magnet, and that is for people who have rudimentary phono preamps, maybe preamps that only have moving magnet capabilities. Those who use integrated amps to work with their turntables, or integrated phono preamps in their turntables, and just do not want to add even more costs by buying a cartridge.
Even though, a good phono preamp is always a must, as it is a great way to expose and truly feel your cartridge in its fullest.
Sumiko Amethyst Review
Technical, features and build
Sumiko Amethyst is the top of the line of the Sumiko Oyster lineup. However you feel about oyster shell, they house many Sumiko models, including their top-of-the-line moving magnet model Amethyst.
I think if you have control of impedance on your phono preamp, it is good to add a little bit more power. As it works with an output of 2.5, while I don’t read too much into numbers, it should bring more transparent blacker background and less resonances.
But where it is a tangible improvement, and can be perceived as such, is that Sumiko uses a nude line-contact diamond stylus. It should give better extraction of details, closing the gap between moving magnet and moving coil.
And setup was easy for me. If you have experience setting up moving magnets, then it should not be a problem for you. If not, I always suggest going to a local dealer, give them some cash to set it up for you, and ask them politely to teach you so you can do it yourself next time.
Sound Signature and quality
With that out of the way, let’s speak about sound. I heard that Amethyst is a warm cartridge, so I listened to the 2m Bronze a lot before acquiring it. In my head, there was going to be a battle between these two cartridges and who would prevail.
But I was shocked when I first heard the Amethyst, how sure-footed and present it is in its rhythms. Something that warm cartridges often have problems with. And it was really concise, with great commanding dynamics, showing a lot of life in songs. Again, something I would never easily attribute to a warm cartridge.
But thinking about it, Amethyst is not a warm cartridge in the traditional sense. Certainly, it is not bright or neutral; there is a certain emphasis on bass and lower mids. But they are presented like they really wanted to push clarity among instruments at this price range.
They wanted to lift as much of the veil from the treble as possible, which is such a pleasant thing to hear. Truly, they missed having crushing and commanding bass at their side, but that’s a preference we will talk more about later.
When we talk about clarity, terrible and fearful noise floor can be make-or-break in moving magnet cartridges when working with turntables. And I challenge you to find a quieter cartridge in this price range that is maybe not moving coil. That all helps its warm signature so much; it helps this amazing cartridge show its talents like no other.
Bass
And bass—oh yeah, we should talk about low end. It is amazing, so much body and weight in the drive. I think if you like your songs to have that commanding thump and presence, whether that be sub-bass and bass in electronic music, or the chugging drive of electric guitars, it just creates presence that moves you off the couch.
And it’s not something that’s large for the sake of being large. As I already said, this is not the most commanding or groundbreaking sound. It is very well controlled with a lot of details coming from bass strings extending. Those details create textures, which is to me absolutely important in enjoying great bass.
Mids
And it all pours down to mids. You know that warm smooth sound of mids that warm tubes, amps, and speakers create. Well, this certainly helps a lot, as mids are smooth, not intrusive, with a firm body. Its vocals are creamy; if you enjoy such a presentation, you will love what is happening here. And the most magical point is that it is working against a darker background—not black, but darker.
Which means you will hear decluttering here; you will perceive instruments in your head. It is important for soundstage expansion, largely helped by how your entire system is capable of putting instruments in space. And if the details that your cartridge is picking up aren’t organized correctly, your amp and speakers will struggle a bit to expand the soundstage and place it transparently on stage. Now this is not world-class mids, where it beams with forwardness and details, but there’s plenty that the diamond stylus is extracting here.
Treble
And we can say that about treble as well. But it does something superbly well here; it shaves and controls the high altitudes in that treble. And makes it manageable. While not creating something which will be remembered for generations with this cartridge, it is nicely rounded. With certain body, separation, and details, there is enough clarity here for this cartridge to become musical and entertaining.
There is enough for clinical ears to follow, drive, and possess. This is not a fast and super nimble cartridge; it takes its time, holding on to a note for some time. So don’t expect wonders here, and you are going to be satisfied here. As it is not like this is awful; this is actually really good—it’s only not the best. And its dynamic expression helps the soundstage to open in both directions, so this combined with very good mids and phenomenal bass creates a great cocktail of sounds.
Pairings and Synergy
This cartridge works well with tonearms and turntables that are fixed and aimed to be more neutral, as it helps them gain more weight and smoothness. Also a greater extent of musicality.
Also, I prefer solid-state equipment for amps and preamps rather than tubes for this one. There is a scenario where this works super well with more tube-warm sound, for that analog vintage magic. But personally, I prefer solid states where it helps this cartridge to have more clarity, transparency, and bigger reach.
Conclusion
With all its great points, you might think there is a lot more to expect from this cartridge and that it can’t get the title of end game moving magnet cartridge. And you would be wrong. At this price level, to get this much musicality, body, precision, and detail combined in one package for smooth listening sessions that can last forever is something I don’t know where else you can get.
It’s not all about being perfect. Of course, you heard it in my review, this is not a perfect cartridge, but buying this, and just truly experiencing turntable magic with this much value and how much it offers for this much money is a blessing and an end game for some. Its incredible bass, incredible reproduction of vocals with smooth and present mids—even with warmth, great clarity and detail retrieval—is something that a lot of people can enjoy.
Pros
High-Quality Stylus: Features a nude line-contact diamond stylus, which improves detail extraction and brings it closer to moving coil performance.
Clear Instrument Separation: Emphasizes clarity in instrument separation, especially for bass and lower mids, enhancing the overall listening experience.
Controlled, Detailed and powerfull Bass: Provides a strong, controlled bass response with added texture, suitable for genres needing bass presence like electronic and rock.
Smooth Mids with Creamy Vocals: Delivers warm and smooth mids, with a "creamy" quality in vocals that enhances vocal clarity and texture.
Quiet Background: Exceptionally low noise floor for a moving magnet cartridge in this price range, supporting a warm sound signature and making it ideal for quiet, detailed listening.
Well-Rounded Treble: Offers smooth and clear treble with enough detail to satisfy both casual and more clinical listeners.
Good Compatibility: Pairs well with neutral tonearms and turntables, and works well with solid-state amps for a balanced sound, though also compatible with warmer tube setups.
High Musicality and Value: Offers a balanced blend of body, precision, and detail, making it a high-value choice for many listeners.
Cons
Requires Preamp Adjustment: Needs impedance adjustment on the phono preamp to fully unlock its transparency and reduce resonances due to its 2.5 mV output.
Not Truly Warm: While often described as warm, it leans more toward a balanced sound rather than the rich warmth some may expect.
Lacks outstanding Bass Power: Although the bass is well-controlled and textured, it lacks the absolute power and command of higher-end models.
Moderate Treble and Speed: Treble is well-managed but not outstanding; it’s not the fastest or most nimble cartridge and holds onto notes slightly longer, which may not suit listeners who prefer ultra-fast dynamics.
Limited clarity in Mids: Midrange detail and soundstage expansion may not be as forward or expansive as some listeners might want, relying somewhat on the rest of the audio system for optimal spatial organization.
Ortofon 2m Black Review
Sound signature and sound quality
Now let’s speak about the polar opposite of this cartridge: the Ortofon 2M Black.
Ortofon 2M Black is a top-of-the-line 2M moving magnet cartridge, much like Amethyst is the top of the Oyster line. It uses an extraordinary diamond shibata stylus, that provides smaller sensitivity for a quieter listening experience and incredible detail extraction.
Ortofon 2M Black is an incredible groove explorer. It extracts, gathers, and processes details and information incredibly well. And here we come to why this is the other side of the coin to Amethyst.
Ortofon 2M Black is all about precision, accuracy, and extracting as much detail as possible from the grooves of your records. It’s not trying to be smooth or warm; instead, it’s focused on giving you as much information as possible. If you’re into detail retrieval and hearing every nuance of a recording, this is your cartridge.
Bass
Now, Ortofon 2M Black is more on the analytical side. Its bass is not as tight, less booming, less commending but more precise than that of the Amethyst. If you’re someone who loves that punch and weight in the lower frequencies, you might find the Black a bit reserved. It’s not lacking, but it’s definitely not as full-bodied in the bass as the Amethyst.
Mids
The mids on the Ortofon 2M Black are quite neutral and don’t have the same warmth or body that the Amethyst provides. Vocals are clear and precise, but they don’t have that creamy texture that the Amethyst offers. If you enjoy a more neutral presentation, you’ll appreciate what the Black brings to the table. However, if you’re looking for warmth and smoothness, the Amethyst might be more to your liking.
Treble
Treble on the 2M Black is where this cartridge shines. It’s incredibly detailed and has excellent extension. You’ll hear all the tiny details, the air, and the space in recordings. However, this also means that it can be a bit unforgiving with poor recordings or equipment that’s on the bright side. The 2M Black doesn’t hold back on treble details, so it’s best paired with neutral or slightly warm equipment to balance out its analytical nature.
Some Problems
One thing to consider with the 2M Black is that it can be a bit challenging to set up correctly. The shibata stylus is sensitive to alignment, so if you’re not experienced with cartridge setup, it might be worth having a professional set it up for you. Once properly aligned, however, the 2M Black can deliver some of the best detail retrieval you’ll find in a moving magnet cartridge.
But there are a couple of downsides to consider. First, as you move down the dynamic scale, the cartridge becomes less impressive. It has a leaner sound, so the lower mids and bass lack the weight, size, and punch you might expect. The bass isn’t particularly special—it’s tight but not full-bodied.
Another potential drawback is that it can be a challenging cartridge to pair correctly and can easily punish lower-quality records and equipment. Its detail extraction is so intense that any dust, scratches, or imperfections will be noticeable. Its pronounced treble can also make the sound feel bright, leading to listening fatigue. This can be dramatically improved by finding the right pairing for it; I recommend matching it with warmer devices, and tubes are an excellent choice for grounding the sound a bit.
Conclusion
So, which one is the end game for you? If you prefer a warm, full-bodied sound with powerful bass and smooth mids, the Sumiko Amethyst is a fantastic choice. It’s musical and engaging, and it offers a lot of detail without being harsh or analytical. On the other hand, if you’re a detail freak and want to hear every nuance in your records, the Ortofon 2M Black is the cartridge for you. It’s precise, analytical, and offers exceptional treble clarity, making it perfect for those who value detail above all else.
In the end, both of these cartridges offer excellent performance for their price range, and either could be considered an “end game” moving magnet cartridge, depending on your preferences. The Sumiko Amethyst and the Ortofon 2M Black represent two different approaches to sound, but both deliver a high level of performance that’s sure to satisfy audiophiles looking for a top-tier moving magnet cartridge.
Pros
Exceptional Detail Extraction: The Shibata diamond stylus excels at revealing intricate details, making it one of the most analytical cartridges available.
High Transparency and Insight: Provides outstanding clarity and insight, allowing listeners to appreciate layers of texture and production intricacies.
Intense Treble and Forward Mids: The treble is vivid and engaging, with clear and assertive mids that offer an upfront, immersive listening experience.
Quiet Background: Reduced sensitivity to noise for quieter playback, enhancing detail clarity even further.
Ideal for High-Quality Records: Excels with well-mastered records, showcasing the strengths of high-quality vinyl.
Cons
Lacks Bass Weight and Fullness: Bass response is tight but lacks the depth and fullness some listeners may prefer; lower mids also lean toward a thinner presentation.
Challenging to Pair: Can be difficult to match with equipment; works best with warmer systems or tube amplifiers to prevent overly bright or fatiguing sound.
Pronounced Treble May Lead to Listening Fatigue: Intense detail retrieval and bright treble can make extended listening sessions tiring, especially with less ideal equipment.
Sensitivity to Record Quality: High detail extraction can highlight imperfections, making dust, scratches, and other flaws on vinyl more apparent.
Cheaper Alternative - Goldring 1042
If you want a cheaper alternative, then get the Goldring 1042. It has great points from both of these two cartridges, but doesn’t push too much in one or the other part of the dynamic scale. It has a more neutral presentation, with really great, decluttered, and detailed mids. It is also really quiet for this price range and delivers nice and groovy bass and treble with enough detail and clarity for a pleasurable audiophile listening experience. It is an amazing cartridge, in my opinion, unbeatable in this price range.
Everything about the 1042 is great enough to deliver a mature presentation with a lot of spark. It doesn’t reach the smoothness, level of musicality, or bass of the Amethyst, or the detail, insight, and transparency of the Black, but it takes a lot from both of them, making the presentation far calmer and more neutral.
Expensive Alternative - Sumiko MP-500
But if you’re someone who really wants to stay in the moving magnet sphere and still doesn’t want to upgrade to moving coil, then something like the Nagaoka MP300 or MP500 is a more expensive but amazing alternative. Its quality craftsmanship and materials truly show here with impeccable tracking, low noise output, and incredible sound. The MP500 is a cartridge you have to explain to people as actually being a moving magnet, not moving coil. It’s a cartridge that delivers great rhythmic cohesion, allowing a bunch of insight and detail while remaining very concise. It’s a testament to this great cartridge how it indulges in detail extraction without ever sounding overwhelming or forced. So, it creates a very active sound while also having one foot in neutrality. It’s a great blend that delivers a lot of sonic greatness that you can get in this price range. The bass is also great, making it almost a complete MM cartridge.
At a cheaper price, you get almost the same detail extraction as the Black and better bass and musicality than the Amethyst. So, you are paying more money to get better control than the Black with its details and presentation, and more neutrality than the Amethyst but still with great bass and more rhythmic talent. So, you’re paying more to get a more refined and mature presentation that is just outstanding, but you have to add significantly more money to get that.
Thank you for watching this review. I hope you enjoyed it, and hopefully, after this video, you will go and spin some vinyl. Keep daydreaming, and see you in the next video. Bye!
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