Launched in early February 2026, our Oriole has been making the rounds with the press… and collecting lots of hardware along the way. With a low-impedance generator working in unison with a nude Shibata diamond on a reinforced aluminum cantilever, Oriole transcribes music with finesse. Sweet, refined, tonally rich and free of fatigue, it targets the emotional message embedded in your music. Have a look below at what the experts are saying, and click the links for full reviews!
“So solid and reassuring is the Sumiko Oriole, from its sound to its construction… this cartridge is an exemplar of modern MC performance… Spend time on the setup, especially VTA, and you’ll think this cost £3000.” —Hi-Fi News Outstanding Product
“[Translation] The sound: superb, nuanced, fluid, and characterized by remarkable delicacy and airiness…. it is linear, rich in subtle shadings, and deeply dimensional. Listening to it unveils an evocative sonic landscape that sacrifices neither precision nor sensitivity… Subtle and authentic.” —Diapason Golden Tuning Fork (France)
“In all cases though, the Oriole is a fascinating new addition to cartridges at the price. It conspires to look and feel special; a sort of special that will require a bit of care using it but special nonetheless. What’s more, it has attributes that are rare even at this elevated price point…” —AV Forums Highly Recommended
“…the Oriole excels at detail, tonal realism and emotional engagement. There is more than enough articulation and resolving power to keep complex music intelligible and coherent, but the icing on the cake has to be its talent for live material” —Hi-Fi Choice Recommended
“Joe Gordon’s trumpet was especially impressive, with a purity of timbre and sense of clean dynamics you rarely hear. The Oriole behaved flawlessly, with superb tracking and no peakiness.” —Stereophile
In addition, the Sumiko Oriole cartridge has also been selected for the “La Sélection” award by Vinyle & Audio magazine in France. This distinction highlights products that stand out for their musicality, build quality, and overall coherence. Being part of La Sélection confirms the Oriole’s strong appeal among vinyl enthusiasts!
Reach out to your dealer to get your ears on an Oriole of your own. We are confident it’ll be provide new insights into your favorite recorded music. Stay tuned for more news as more reviews are in progress. In the meantime, happy listening!
