Decided to try a SPU cartridge

@jasonbourne52

Thanks for reminding me of the “Ortofon’s” SUT. I read that SPUs sound best with a SUT, but my Van Den Hul Grail SB is a “current” phono stage. Not sure if a SUT+”voltage” phono stage is significantly better.  I would ask the audio community, but I’m not optimistic that many have tried a SPU with a “current” phono stage. I do have a Lejonklou SLIPSIK 3 “voltage” phono stage I could use with the SUT though.

I’m comfortable around the $3k range. So the usual suspects in this range is Thomas Schick, Groovemaster II, Sorane TA-1L, and used Ikeda 407.  There's also Ortofon arms like the RMG-309i and RS-309D, maybe used.  Then there's the Bokrand  arm which is a modified Ortofon arm.  So many choices. I suspect for a SPU, the sonic differences between these arms are small.

@dover 

Thanks for the info.  Trying to determine which SUT to purchase - seems like a daunting task that I'll likely try at a later time.  I have been eyeballing a Zesto Audio Andros Allasso SUT on sale now used for $2k.

@alan60 

Wow, thanks.  After very much deliberation, I was targeting a Kuzma 4point as the next tonearm purchase (in addition to a SPU tonearm) and was just debating on which tonearm wire so I reached out to Fremer.  You now report that the ViV is better for the SPU.  I have a Lyra Edna and a Koetsu Redwood Signature Platinum, do you believe that the Viv is superior or just different than the 4point?

FYI - it is reported that the Glanz tonearm may be the best for SPUs.  It runs ~$8k

I'm planning to have all my cartridges reviewed by WAM Engineering - I'm of the belief that because of cantilever and stylus manufacturing alignment inconsistencies, the best way to align a cartridge is to get the stylus angle correct (vs aligning by cartridge body and/or cantilever).  IIRC. the resulting WAM reports will tell me how much the stylus if off perfect alignment so I can compensate by adjusting the cartridge body.  I'm somewhat concerned that some SPU tonearms may not allow zenith adjustment if needed.

What’s seems strange about the Rigid Floats is that they don’t give the tonearm mass which would allow cartridge+tonearm compatibility calculations. Rather, folks seem to be are using lighter to heavy cartridges.

Before I went down this SPU route, I was planning to purchase 2 tonearms. Originally my top choice was the 4point, then the next was a Schroeder CB or a Reed 3P. After reading about the different but excellent results the Rigid Float will be my second tonearm.

For a Ortofon SPU G type cartridge, I wonder if using the 4point or the Rigid Float are better choices than the other ~3k SPU tonearms I listed previously.

I favor the longer ~12 inch tonearms for their potentially superior sonics , not so much their higher price tags

All - thanks for your help and advice

Okay, I'm taking a step backwards - I realized that the 4point and the ViV won't work on a SPU "G" but may likely work on SPU "N".  So I'm back to getting another tonearm.  I'm heavily favoring the Groovemaster II which I know works well with SPUs.  Also, I'll eventually purchase a Bokrand modified Ortofon arm to compare arms and especially because I like the idea of matching brands to my SPU cart.

I'm sticking with SPU "G" size because I want to compare on the the best SPU (hopefully my Century) to the original SPU.  I'm guessing that a new Ortofon Classic G will fit the bill.  Not sure how SPU "N"  compares to SPU "G" sonically, no incentive to experiment. 

Got a message from WAM that they don't evaluate stylus on SPUs - in retrospect I feel dumb/embarrassed for asking.  Getting a stylus angle correct doesn't apply much to spherical/elliptical stylus profiles as for a other stylus profiles.  Sometimes you just got to laugh at yourself.

I did notice that used SPUs don't state their hours usage.  Maybe SPUs are considered disposable and/or stylus replacement is cheap/easy?

Because of this previous thread, I picked up a used Ortofon SPU Gold which likely needs retipping.  The fun continues...

https//:forum.audiogon.com/discussions/mc-cartridge-mini-shootout-spu-koetsu-fr-ikeda

@alan60 

Thanks for the tip regarding the smaller sized "N" SPUs. I'll keep that in mind - maybe later I'll further explore optimizing the SPU sound.  

I like variety.  I'm in my 60s.  Because I started late my high end audio,  I'm kind of condensing my high-end audio experience tempered by my wallet as my remaining years seem limited.   The SPUs is a side interest as my main system is neutral linear.  I'm also building a fleas watt system to explore tube magic aka harmonic distortion :) - I purchased a 300B amp already and need to budget for a flea watt speakers.  

@dover 

Also, just to reiterate, if you want to play with SUT's, you can use them with the MM input on your Grail phono.

The GrailSB is a "current" phono stage.  Not sure if the MM inputs are "voltage" based which would allow a SUT.  My Grail is still boxed along with the rest of my gear. Awaiting funds for interconnects and speakers to complete my analog+digital audio chain.  Wife not to thrilled to see my audio spending resulting in boxes.  I have to change flooring (duct tape fix not good) so incentive to wait till done.

@alan60 and @racedoc

Thanks for your input.  I like the ViV arm since it's sonically different than other arms in a positive way.  It's very comforting that the ViV will work well with SPUs and other carts.   I was on the trail of a dedicated SPU tonearm - Groovemaster II vs a Bokrand modified Ortofon RMG309 (or RMG309i).  

I have a VPI Avenger that can accommodate 3 arms.  Besides the SPU, I was planning have to get at least another tonearm likely the Kuzma4point to accommodate my other low output non-SPU MC carts .  Although the ViV can accommodate all carts, I'll likely get both the ViV and the 4point - removable headshells for quick change (after the cart was previously set-up) seem very appealing. 

I just picked up 2 more used Ortofon GM SPUs - the E GM GOLD and the Classic GM E MkII.   The Gold's sonics reportedly falls between the Meister Silver and Synergy.  The Classic E will give me a taste of the early SPU sound.  So I'm pretty much done with sampling Ortofon SPUs with the exception of the Wood.  

I also picked up a used FR7-fz cart from Japan auction with a broken cantilever.  Happy I got it at a relatively low cost as I'll upgrade the cantilever+stylus anyways.

If I go SUT, the consensus is that silver is best  - unfortunately it's a significant jump in price vs copper.

Will do. May be awhile though,  I have to change flooring and awaiting funds to complete audio chain as mentioned in my earlier post.