Ortofon RS-309D opinions

I've been using one for about 6 months Curio. It beats all the other arms I have which include an SME V, Origin Live Conqueror (Mk3), and Linn Ekos 2. By "beats" I mean it extracts more detail and sounds so much more "alive" than the others. From my experience with it (and the other arms)I say it's a truly great arm and at a bargain price.

I use it with an Ortofon A90 by the way, so it's easy to hear how good it is with that cartridge :).

I'm new to posting here at Audiogon although I've been reading for a while, so hello to all!

I'm using a Mint with a 309-d which is set at Denmark's recommendations (316.6) for a 309s, in Downunder's message. The cartridge is twisted in the headshell so the offset is correct.

Has anyone noticed the downforce adjustment is useless and you have to set it to zero and move the counterweight to adjust the tracking force...?

Thanks Dmgrant1. It does work, but tiny movements make huge differences to the VTF, and they're not consistent - ie I can set it to 2g and then try to set it to 2.1 but it's impossible, a tiny movement up (or down) can add 1g to the VTF! Also, when set at, say, 2g it will fluctuate wildly over time. The only way to keep it fixed is to set it to zero and use the counterweight (which then has it's own problems - setting it to give a certain VTF, and then make small changes - is really really difficult because of it's weight).

I've heard that this is a known issue, but I wondered if anyone here at audiogon had come across it and if they know of a possible fix. You must be lucky to have one that's okay...

Yes Dmgrant1. Now check your VTF and move the arm back and forth from the armrest (let it rest in it) to the gauge you're using several times (I'm assuming you have accurate stylus force guage). Is the tracking force fluctuating wildly?

If set at 2g mine goes from that to 2.5 to 1.5 an everywhere in-between Useless...

So I have to set it to zero and use the counterweight, which as I've said is really tricky to set and then makes it impossible to check how it sounds at minute differences in VTF.

Anyway .. it's still an absolutely superb arm in my opinion.

If anyone at Ortofon sees this - your adjuster needs fixing... ;)