Bare cartridge design, Sumiko Blackbird Low Output

@lewm you're professional and your experience with different cartridge must be great. I have stupidly destroyed one cartridge and another one has been destroyed by a visitor, s**t happens. Personally i would never buy such cartridges, i am more comfortable with traditional design when a cantilever located under the cartridge body. 

@tooblue yes, this is probably a benefit, but they can be destroyed during alignment process, we often read comments how difficult to setup a cartridge (for some people). It's about experience. 

@chakster , " it's about experience ", which I have a lot of. The only cartridge I ever destroyed was a Sumiko Blue point thirty years ago and it had nothing to do with set up, but you are right, schiit happens. Enjoy the music

I'm with chakster on this, that cart is way to easy to damage with virtually everything exposed. I just had a Denon DL-103 installed in a wood body and that thing makes me nervous to handle. Not used to mounting a cart without a stylus guard in place either.

BillWojo

Had 2 Blackbirds. Liked the sound. Very energetic sound.  No hum or other issues. However, the exposed tiny wires require exceptional care in handling. I know from experience. Be very careful.
In your price range I would go for a Hana. Even the $450 EL sounds better in my system.

Btw. I’m using the Hana as a temporary fill-in after I destroyed my Blackbird. Will probably upgrade eventually, but it is way better than I expected. Am in no hurry to replace it.