Great on old Sony Direct Drive.
Crutchfield customer from Rockford, MI on 3/3/2021
Have a 40 plus year old direct drive turntable. I consulted Crutchfield. The staff member in the chat feature was very helpful. With minimal effort the cartridge is in place. Great sound quality, rich and balanced to these ears without dropping a load of cash. Very happy.
Pros: Sound, ease of installation.
Cons: None observed to date.
0 of 0 found this helpful
Sumiko Black Pearl
Crutchfield customer from Garden City, MI on 2/9/2021
The Black Pearl needle sounds Great on my Denon DP 300F turntable! Very satisfied with Crutchfield products.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Sumiko Black Pearl
Crutchfield customer from Bloomfld Hls, MI on 1/21/2021
I was not pleased with the high or low end. The clarity was just not there.
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0 of 0 found this helpful
Just go ahed and get it.
Roger from Calera, AL on 12/4/2020
I replaced the Ortafon cartridge that came on my U Turn turntable with the Black Pearl. There is a noticeable difference! The turntable sounds like the money I spent for it. It's alive!!!! I listen to every kind of music out there. Hard rock to Bach , country ect. Well worth the $$$.
Pros: Warmth without giving up detail.
Cons: None yet
0 of 0 found this helpful
Sumiko Black Pearl
Crutchfield customer from Westerly, RI on 9/12/2020
Krisp clean sound. Great to be listening to my old vinyl again. Great cartridge for the price.
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0 of 1 found this helpful
Black Pearl Cartridge
Crutchfield customer from Bloomfield, IN on 4/2/2019
The Black Pearl cartridge is gorgeous. Unfortunately it would not work right with my new Teac turntable so I had to return it. Customer Service handled my call in a very professional manner and sent me the shipping label while on the call with me after they determined this was not the right cartridge for my needs. My account was credited back to my card within a few hours of the return department receiving it. Very impressed and wished it would have worked on my turntable!
Pros: Top of the line cartridge.
Cons: No cons!
0 of 1 found this helpful
Sumiko Black Pearl
Crutchfield customer from Woodstock, IL on 4/1/2019
Does not match or fit.
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2 of 5 found this helpful
a real bang for your buck!!!
bill from Syracuse, NY on 5/12/2018
hi all! this is a fine cartridge at a great price! it sounds great with my new denon DP-300F table(also purchased from crutchfield with first rate customer service from the by now widely celebrated marshall)! i`m listening to music i`ve heard often in the past and hearing things i had`nt heard before! highly recommended (the black pearl and marshall)! bill
Pros: wonderful sounding cartridge at a reasonable price!
Cons: none that i`ve found and i can be demanding!
3 of 4 found this helpful
Sumiko Black Pearl
Crutchfield customer from Shafter, CA on 12/17/2017
0 of 2 found this helpful
Sumiko Black Pearl
Crutchfield customer from Fairfax, VA on 12/5/2017
Perfect fit on a 1977 turntable, thanks Cory for your help!
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0 of 2 found this helpful
Sumiko black pearl
Bob from Modesto, CA on 8/23/2016
I am able to enjoy my old vinyl collection.
Pros: Easy to install. Arrived in protective case. Good value.
Cons: None
0 of 3 found this helpful
Sumiko "jewel"
tparm from Harrisonburg, VA on 6/5/2015
I purchased a Music Hall USB-1 turntable after inheriting my dad's vinyl collection. I knew it was a budget table but since I hadn't listened to an album in years I decided it was a good jumping off point. I began buying some of my favorite new releases and listening to analog audio more frequently and the USB-1 seemed to be leaving a little "resolution" on the table. After looking at cartridges on the Crutchfield site I decided to buy the Sumiko Black Pearl cartridge as it was in the Outlet Store and on the advice at the Harrisonburg store. When I picked it up I found the packaging to be a bit over the top (nestled in a white jewelry box) but was anxious to get home and try it out. For the price I paid (Outlet pricing plus using some of my points credits) I was shocked. Installing the unit was straight forward so I was spinning discs in minutes. I immediately noticed much more depth to the frequency response and a bit more air in the upper end. Prior to installing the Sumiko I listened to Beck's Morning Phase in stereo so my sub would accompany my Focal 706s as the lower octaves were missing. With the Black Pearl enough depth was present to switch my processor to pure direct opening up the sound stage even further. My USB-1 doesn't sound like a Music Hall MMF-11.1 but it sounds darn good for the money invested.
Pros: Increased frequency response, simple installation, cost (for an audio upgrade). Plus it's just fun to tinker without changing an entire component in your system.
Cons: Slight increase in the noise floor. This is offset but pros above in my opinion.
7 of 9 found this helpful
Sumiko Black Pearl phono cartridge
BobB from Powell, WY on 10/14/2013
great sound, what a difference from old one
Pros: easy hook up
Cons:
4 of 8 found this helpful
Sumiko Black Pearl
RICH N. from WCL, NJ on 10/21/2012
After going to many web sites, I discovered a wide range of products and price points.. I usually end up @ Crutchfield because their buyers really do a thorough search and study before making a product available.. I didn't want to spend a fortune, but I did want the best I could afford in the category... I think this product does a fantastic job based on its price point.. On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.85 because it meets my needs and does a perfect job replicating my vinyl collection..
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17 of 21 found this helpful
Nice and Mellow
Mike from Las Cruces, NM on 10/15/2012
Replaced the stock cartridge on a Denon 300. It gives me the warm sound I was looking for. Highs and mid-range are right out front without being "tinny" and the lows are deep and clear, not fuzzy.
Pros: Right balance between lows and highs for my ears.
Cons: none
27 of 29 found this helpful
