Audio T Verdict
The Sumiko Moonstone is a particularly sensible upgrade if you want more from a moving-magnet cartridge without giving up the convenience that makes MM designs so easy to own.
It retains the familiar 47k-ohm electrical loading used by most MM phono stages, but reduces moving mass with a slimmer 0.5mm aluminium-pipe cantilever and lighter magnet assembly. The stylus remains a practical 0.3 x 0.7mil elliptical profile, so Moonstone avoids becoming excessively demanding to set up while still benefiting from accurate alignment.
Output is 3.0mV, which is comfortably within moving-magnet territory but lower than Rainier and Olympia. This does not mean the cartridge needs an MC stage; it simply means that you may use a little more of your amplifier's volume control compared with a higher-output MM cartridge.
Sumiko specifies conventional 47k-ohm resistance loading alongside a total capacitance of 100–200pF. That capacitance figure is worth paying attention to because tonearm wiring and the turntable interconnect contribute to the total seen by the cartridge.
The other big advantage is Sumiko's interchangeable stylus system. Rainier, Olympia, Moonstone, Wellfleet, Amethyst and RS 78 stylus assemblies can all physically fit this body, making future replacement or experimentation unusually straightforward.
For normal Moonstone performance, however, use the dedicated Moonstone replacement stylus. The Amethyst stylus may fit physically, but Amethyst uses a different enhanced generator and therefore represents more than a simple stylus upgrade.
With a recommended tracking force of 2.0g, broad tonearm compatibility and a replaceable stylus, Moonstone strikes a very practical balance between performance and long-term ownership.
Sumiko Moonstone Moving Magnet Cartridge
Moonstone sits within Sumiko's Oyster Series of moving-magnet cartridges and builds on the Rainier and Olympia platform with reduced moving mass and a 0.5mm aluminium-pipe cantilever.
Key features include:
- Moving-magnet generator
- 0.3 x 0.7mil elliptical stylus
- 0.5mm aluminium-pipe cantilever
- Reduced moving mass
- High-purity copper coils
- 3.0mV output
- 1,130-ohm internal impedance
- 47k-ohm phono-stage loading
- 100–200pF recommended capacitance
- 12Hz–33kHz frequency response
- 30dB channel separation at 1kHz
- 0.5dB channel balance at 1kHz
- 12 x 10-6cm/dyn compliance at 100Hz
- 25-degree vertical tracking angle
- 1.8–2.2g tracking-force range
- 2.0g recommended tracking force
- 6.7g cartridge weight
- User-replaceable stylus assembly
- Wide Sumiko Oyster stylus compatibility
- Hand-assembled in Yokohama, Japan
Moving Magnet Design
Moonstone is a conventional moving-magnet cartridge.
As the stylus follows the record groove, the magnet attached to the moving assembly changes the magnetic field around fixed coils within the cartridge body. This generates the small electrical signal sent to the phono stage.
Compared with a typical low-output moving-coil cartridge, this brings some useful practical benefits:
- Higher output voltage
- Compatibility with standard MM phono stages
- Conventional 47k-ohm loading
- No MC step-up device required
- User-replaceable stylus
3.0mV Output
Sumiko specifies:
3.0mV at 3.54cm/sec, 1kHz.
This output is intended for moving-magnet phono amplification.
Moonstone May Need Slightly More Volume Than Some MM Cartridges
Moonstone's 3.0mV output is lower than Rainier's 5.0mV and Olympia's 4.0mV output.
If replacing one of those cartridges, a slightly higher amplifier volume setting is therefore perfectly normal.
47k-Ohm Loading
Recommended load impedance is:
47k ohms.
This is the standard resistance used by the vast majority of moving-magnet phono stages.
Use a Suitable MM Phono Stage
Moonstone should be connected to an appropriate moving-magnet phono input or external MM phono stage.
Do not use a conventional low-impedance MC setting simply because the cartridge is an upgrade from another model.
100–200pF Recommended Capacitance
Sumiko specifies a capacitive load of:
100–200pF.
Capacitance matters with moving-magnet cartridges because the cartridge's inductance interacts with the capacitance of the connected system.
Total Capacitance Includes the Turntable
The cartridge sees the combined capacitance of:
- Tonearm wiring
- Turntable interconnect
- Phono-stage input
Do Not Look Only at the Phono-Stage Setting
If your phono stage provides selectable capacitance, remember that its stated setting is only one part of the total load.
Sumiko specifies 100–200pF for Moonstone, so excessively capacitive cables or unnecessarily high phono-stage settings should be avoided.
1,130-Ohm Internal Impedance
The Moonstone generator has an internal impedance of:
1,130 ohms at 1kHz.
This is an internal characteristic of the cartridge and should not be confused with the 47k-ohm load impedance required from the phono stage.
High-Purity Copper Coils
Sumiko uses high-purity copper for the fixed generator coils.
These coils convert the movement of the magnetic assembly into the electrical signal that travels through the tonearm wiring to the phono stage.
0.3 x 0.7mil Elliptical Stylus
Moonstone uses an elliptical diamond measuring:
0.3 x 0.7mil.
An elliptical stylus uses different front-to-back and side-to-side radii, allowing it to follow groove modulation more accurately than a basic spherical profile.
Why Elliptical?
An elliptical stylus provides a useful combination of:
- Accurate groove tracing
- Good high-frequency performance
- Relatively straightforward alignment
- Broad compatibility with normal LP collections
It is still important to align the cartridge correctly, but it is generally less demanding than very fine Line-Contact or Micro-Ridge profiles.
0.5mm Aluminium-Pipe Cantilever
Moonstone uses a slim:
0.5mm aluminium-pipe cantilever.
The hollow structure allows useful rigidity while keeping moving mass relatively low.
Reduced Moving Mass
Sumiko specifically reduces the mass of the cantilever and moving magnet assembly for Moonstone.
The stylus, cantilever and magnet need to react to extremely small changes in the record groove, so reducing unnecessary mass helps the complete moving assembly respond more readily.
Resonance-Controlled Body
Moonstone is part of Sumiko's newer Oyster MM platform, which uses an integrated body and generator arrangement designed to control unwanted internal resonance.
The cartridge body is therefore not simply a protective shell. It provides the generator with a stable mounting structure and transfers unwanted mechanical energy into the tonearm.
12Hz to 33kHz Frequency Response
Sumiko specifies:
12Hz–33kHz.
30dB Channel Separation
Channel separation is specified at:
30dB at 1kHz.
This describes how effectively the cartridge keeps the information recorded on the left and right groove walls electrically separate.
0.5dB Channel Balance
Sumiko specifies channel balance of:
0.5dB at 1kHz.
6.7g Cartridge Weight
Moonstone weighs:
6.7g.
This places it within the weight range handled by many conventional tonearms and turntables.
Check Tonearm Compatibility Before Fitting
Cartridge weight is only one part of tonearm matching.
Confirm that your tonearm can accommodate Moonstone's weight, compliance, mounting arrangement and tracking-force requirements while still allowing correct alignment and counterweight adjustment.
Compliance
Dynamic compliance is specified at:
12 x 10-6cm/dyn at 100Hz.
Compliance describes the flexibility of the cartridge suspension and works together with tonearm effective mass when determining the mechanical relationship between cartridge and arm.
2.0g Recommended Tracking Force
Sumiko specifies a tracking-force range of:
1.8–2.2g.
The recommended setting is:
2.0g.
Do Not Deliberately Track Too Lightly
Using less than the recommended tracking force does not automatically protect your records.
Insufficient force can allow the stylus to lose stable contact with the groove and mistrack.
Use an Accurate Stylus-Force Gauge
The markings on a tonearm counterweight provide a useful starting point, but a stylus-force gauge allows the final setting to be checked directly at the stylus.
Anti-Skate or Bias
After tracking force has been set, adjust the tonearm's anti-skate or bias using the arm manufacturer's recommended procedure.
A setting around the same numerical value as tracking force can provide a useful starting point on arms calibrated in grams, but the tonearm manufacturer's method should take precedence.
25-Degree Vertical Tracking Angle
Sumiko specifies a vertical tracking angle of:
25 degrees.
If your tonearm provides height adjustment, arm height can form part of the final cartridge setup. A lack of height adjustment does not automatically mean Moonstone is unsuitable, however.
Accurate Alignment Still Matters
Even though an elliptical stylus is relatively forgiving, correct cartridge geometry remains important.
Setup may include:
- Overhang
- Offset angle
- Tracking force
- Anti-skate or bias
- Tonearm height where adjustable
- Azimuth where adjustable
Do Not Align Moonstone by Eye
Use a suitable cartridge-alignment protractor or the specific installation procedure supplied for your tonearm.
Incorrect geometry can increase distortion and contribute to unnecessary stylus or record wear.
User-Replaceable Stylus
One of Moonstone's strongest practical advantages is that its stylus and cantilever assembly can be replaced without changing the entire cartridge body.
This makes normal stylus wear considerably easier to deal with than on most moving-coil cartridges.
Interchangeable Sumiko Styli
The Moonstone body accepts the following current Sumiko replacement stylus assemblies:
- RS Rainier
- RS Olympia
- RS Moonstone
- RS Wellfleet
- RS Amethyst
- RS 78
Which Replacement Stylus Should You Use?
RS Moonstone
- Direct replacement
- 0.3 x 0.7mil elliptical profile
- 0.5mm aluminium cantilever
- Restores the cartridge to Moonstone specification
Other Oyster Styli
- Physically interchangeable
- Useful for upgrade or backup purposes
- Different stylus and cantilever specifications
- RS 78 provides dedicated 78rpm playback
Can You Fit an Amethyst Stylus?
Yes. The Amethyst replacement stylus physically fits the Moonstone cartridge body.
However, the complete Amethyst cartridge uses a different enhanced generator with lower internal impedance.
An Amethyst Stylus Does Not Create a Complete Amethyst Cartridge
Fitting the Amethyst stylus gives you its more sophisticated stylus and cantilever assembly, but the underlying Moonstone generator remains unchanged.
For the complete Amethyst specification, use the dedicated Amethyst cartridge.
Wellfleet Stylus Upgrade
Sumiko's Wellfleet stylus is also compatible with the Moonstone body.
Wellfleet moves to a nude elliptical diamond while retaining the same general MM generator platform, providing an upgrade route without replacing the entire cartridge body.
RS 78 Stylus Compatibility
For compatible 78rpm records, the dedicated Sumiko RS 78 stylus can be fitted to the Moonstone body.
The RS 78 uses a 3mil spherical stylus designed for the wider grooves found on most shellac 78rpm discs.
Do Not Play 78rpm Shellac With the Moonstone LP Stylus
Most 78rpm shellac records use much wider grooves than modern microgroove LPs and singles.
Fit an appropriate 78rpm stylus such as the Sumiko RS 78 rather than using the normal Moonstone elliptical stylus.
Stylus Care
Keeping both records and stylus clean helps maintain consistent groove contact and reduces unnecessary contamination around the diamond.
Good practice includes:
- Brush loose dust from records before playback
- Clean the stylus regularly
- Use a suitable cartridge stylus brush or approved cleaner
- Lower the stylus gently with the cueing mechanism
- Keep fingers away from the cantilever
- Use the stylus guard while working around the cartridge where practical
Take Care When Cleaning the Stylus
Never push the cantilever sideways or towards the cartridge body.
The aluminium cantilever and suspension are delicate and can be damaged by a relatively small force applied in the wrong direction.
Replacing the Stylus
The stylus assembly slides out of the cartridge body and a compatible replacement can be fitted in its place.
Remove Power and Protect the Cantilever
Turn the amplifier down or off before replacing a stylus.
Handle the replacement by its plastic housing rather than touching the diamond or cantilever.
A Phono Stage Is Essential
Do Not Connect Moonstone Directly to AUX or CD
A phono cartridge requires additional gain and RIAA equalisation.
Connect Moonstone to a suitable moving-magnet phono stage first, then connect the phono stage's output to a normal amplifier line input.
Using an External Phono Stage
If your amplifier does not include a suitable MM phono input, an external stage can be added.
The signal path is:
Turntable ? MM phono stage ? amplifier line input.
Browse phono stages at Audio T.
Moonstone or Olympia?
Olympia
- Moving magnet
- 0.3 x 0.7mil elliptical stylus
- 0.6mm aluminium-pipe cantilever
- 4.0mV output
- 12Hz–30kHz frequency response
- 30dB channel separation
- 1.5dB channel balance
- 2.0g recommended tracking force
Moonstone
- Moving magnet
- 0.3 x 0.7mil elliptical stylus
- Thinner 0.5mm aluminium-pipe cantilever
- Reduced moving mass
- 3.0mV output
- 12Hz–33kHz frequency response
- 30dB channel separation
- 0.5dB channel balance
- 2.0g recommended tracking force
Compare the Sumiko Olympia at Audio T.
Moonstone or Amethyst?
Moonstone
- 3.0mV output
- 1,130-ohm internal impedance
- Elliptical stylus
- 0.5mm aluminium-pipe cantilever
- 12Hz–33kHz response
- 47k-ohm loading
- 100–200pF capacitance
Amethyst
- 2.5mV output
- 700-ohm internal impedance
- Nude Line-Contact stylus
- 0.5mm hollow aluminium cantilever
- Enhanced generator
- 12Hz–35kHz response
- 47k-ohm loading
- 100–200pF capacitance
Amethyst represents more than a stylus change because its generator is also different.
Compare the Sumiko Amethyst at Audio T.
Hand-Assembled in Japan
Sumiko's Oyster cartridges are hand-assembled by specialist cartridge makers at Excel Sound in Yokohama, Japan.
Professional Cartridge Fitting
A complete cartridge installation can involve:
- Physical cartridge mounting
- Overhang adjustment
- Offset-angle alignment
- Tracking-force setup
- Anti-skate or bias adjustment
- Tonearm-height adjustment where available
- Azimuth adjustment where available
- MM phono-stage matching
- Capacitance checking
If you are not confident making these adjustments accurately, professional installation is worthwhile.
Who Is the Sumiko Moonstone For?
Well Suited To
- Quality turntable systems
- Customers wanting an upgraded MM cartridge
- Existing Rainier or Olympia owners
- Systems with a good 47k-ohm MM phono stage
- Customers who value a replaceable stylus
- Turntables allowing accurate cartridge alignment
- Customers wanting an easy future stylus upgrade path
Check Before Buying
- 3.0mV moving-magnet output
- Requires suitable MM phono amplification
- 47k-ohm load impedance
- 100–200pF total capacitance
- 6.7g cartridge weight
- 12 x 10-6cm/dyn compliance at 100Hz
- 2.0g recommended tracking force
- Cartridge alignment still needs setting accurately
Key Features
- Sumiko Moonstone
- Oyster Series
- Moving-magnet cartridge
- 0.3 x 0.7mil elliptical stylus
- 0.5mm aluminium-pipe cantilever
- Reduced moving mass
- High-purity copper coils
- 3.0mV output
- 1,130-ohm internal impedance
- 47k-ohm loading
- 100–200pF capacitance
- 12Hz–33kHz frequency response
- 30dB channel separation
- 0.5dB channel balance
- 12 x 10-6cm/dyn compliance
- 25-degree vertical tracking angle
- 1.8–2.2g tracking-force range
- 2.0g recommended tracking force
- 6.7g cartridge weight
- User-replaceable stylus
- Rainier stylus compatible
- Olympia stylus compatible
- Moonstone stylus compatible
- Wellfleet stylus compatible
- Amethyst stylus compatible
- RS 78 stylus compatible
- Hand-assembled in Japan
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sumiko Moonstone moving magnet or moving coil?
Moonstone is a moving-magnet cartridge.
What is the output?
3.0mV at 3.54cm/sec, 1kHz.
What phono stage does Moonstone need?
A suitable moving-magnet phono stage.
What load impedance does it require?
47k ohms.
What capacitance does Sumiko recommend?
100–200pF total capacitance.
Can I use Moonstone with an MC input?
Use an MM configuration unless the phono-stage manufacturer specifically provides an alternative setting suitable for a 47k-ohm moving-magnet cartridge.
Can I connect it directly to AUX or CD?
No. It requires phono gain and RIAA equalisation first.
What stylus does Moonstone use?
A 0.3 x 0.7mil elliptical stylus.
What is the cantilever made from?
A 0.5mm aluminium pipe.
What is the internal impedance?
1,130 ohms at 1kHz.
What is the frequency response?
12Hz to 33kHz.
What is the channel separation?
30dB at 1kHz.
What is the channel balance?
0.5dB at 1kHz.
What is the compliance?
12 x 10-6cm/dyn at 100Hz.
What is the recommended tracking force?
2.0g.
What is the full tracking-force range?
1.8–2.2g.
How much does Moonstone weigh?
Sumiko currently specifies 6.7g.
What is the vertical tracking angle?
25 degrees.
Can I replace the stylus?
Yes. Moonstone has a user-replaceable stylus assembly.
What is the direct replacement stylus?
The Sumiko RS Moonstone replacement stylus.
Can I fit a Rainier stylus?
Yes.
Can I fit an Olympia stylus?
Yes.
Can I fit a Wellfleet stylus?
Yes. Wellfleet shares the same general cartridge body and generator platform and uses a more sophisticated nude elliptical stylus.
Can I fit an Amethyst stylus?
Yes, it physically fits. However, Amethyst uses an enhanced generator, so fitting its stylus does not turn the Moonstone body into a complete Amethyst cartridge.
Can I fit the Sumiko RS 78 stylus?
Yes. This provides a suitable stylus profile for compatible 78rpm records.
Can I use the Moonstone stylus for 78rpm shellac?
No. Use a suitable dedicated 78rpm stylus such as the Sumiko RS 78.
Does Moonstone need careful alignment?
Yes. Although its elliptical profile is relatively forgiving, correct overhang, offset angle and tracking force remain important.
Where is Moonstone made?
Sumiko cartridges are hand-assembled in Yokohama, Japan.
Can Audio T fit and align the cartridge?
Yes. Contact your local Audio T store to discuss cartridge fitting, tonearm setup, tracking force and phono-stage matching.
Related Sumiko Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Turntable and cartridge matching
- MM phono-stage matching
- Cartridge fitting and alignment
- Tracking-force setup
- Bias and anti-skate adjustment
- Tonearm compatibility checks
- Capacitance and loading advice
- Replacement stylus guidance
- Sumiko upgrade-path advice
- Turntable setup
- Stylus-care guidance
- Part-exchange options
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss whether the Sumiko Moonstone is the right match for your turntable, tonearm and phono stage, or to arrange professional fitting and alignment.