Sumiko Blackbird, Shindo and EAR

Restock, I tried it with the MM input, and I think you're right that it sounds even better...not worlds better, but I find it a tad more transparent. Thanks so much for the tip.

** and I think you are right that it sounds even better... not worlds better, but I find it a tad more transparent.**
It sounds like the difference between a very good, well implemented tranformer vs. not going through a transformer at all. I think this may be the case here, and this would follow the less is more theory.

Ggavetti, glad to hear the MM is improving the sound.

One more correction:
The Shindo MC input by its nature is designed for very low impedance
cartridges (examples are the Miyabi and Shindo SPU), but of course these
two are not the only ones. There are some other low impedance carts that
may work as well (Dynavector, Lyra, Ortofon, etc.).

And of course you could use external step-ups like the Auditorium 23 or
Cinemag with the Shindo MM to increase the number of cartridges that work
with the Monbrison.

Rene

Very interesting, Restock...are you basically saying that you do not think the blackbird optimizes the capabilities of the shindo? thanks.

Very interesting, Restock...are you basically saying that you do not think the blackbird optimizes the capabilities of the shindo? thanks.

Ggavetti, the Blackbird should work well into the MM input (as it is a high output MC which is designed for MM inputs).

Of course there are always better and more resolving cartridges out there at almost any pricepoint. If going the low output MC route, I would use the internal MC in the Monbrison or external step-ups connected to the MM input to match the cartridge best. Overall I tend to like low output MC cartridges more, but matching a right step-up to the cartridge is more of an art form than a science and can become quite involving.

The Monbrison does have an excellent phono stage built in and it certainly would improve even further with higher resolving cartridges.