A Briefing on Ortofon's SPU Cartridges

Ortofon’s SPU cartridges continue the tradition of the first ever Moving Coil cartridges as originally engineered by Mr. Robert Gudmandsen and produced by Ortofon in the late 1950s. Praised for their refined linearity and full body, these cartridges have remained a favorite throughout the years, both for modern and vintage high-end applications. The latest incarnation of SPU cartridges feature a wood-based integrated headshell to further reduce resonance and provide an authentic and attractive aesthetic.

Details on the Ortofon Royal GM MKII

The SPU Royal GM MKII provides a playback experience that embodies the essence of analogue, with generous refinements which bring the legendary SPU cartridges into the realm of unrivaled perfection. The addition of Ortofon’s unique Replicant 100 stylus and reduced tip mass ensures open and detailed sound reproduction for a purely exquisite listening experience. Electrum coils, consisting of a gold and silver alloy, provides uncolored and precise transmission of armature movements while the slightly modified damping system makes it possible to reduce VTF and achieves a higher level of linearity. High purity 6-nines copper wiring ensures impeccable signal transmission and preservation of the finest of microdynamic detail.

Specifications:

Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec: 200µV

1. Channel balance at 1kHz: < 1dB

2. Channel separation at 1kHz: > 25dB

3. Channel separation at 15kHz: > 20dB

4. Frequency range at -3dB: 20-60.000Hz

5. Frequency response FIM distortion at recommended: 20-20.000Hz +1.5/-0dB

6. Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force: 70µm

7. Compliance, dynamic, lateral: 8 µm/mN

8. Stylus type: nude Replicant 100

9. Stylus tip radius r/R: 8/18µm

10. force range: 2.5-3.5g (25-35mN)

11. Tracking force, recommended: 3.0g (30mN)

12. Tracking angle: 20°

13. Internal impedance, DC resistance: 6 ohms

14. Recommended load impedance: > 100 ohms

15. Cartridge body material: grinded wood

16. Coil wire material: gold-plated silver

17. Cartridge color: black

18. Cartridge weight: 30g