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Ortofon SPU's outdated design?

Hi folks, I wonder if the Ortofon SPU's are in fact living fossils: they weight 30+ grams each! 40 years ago maybe it was a necessity but today? Average cartridge mass is nowadays between 8-12 grams. Headshell mass is usually between 9-12 grams. I know there are still fans of this carts but they are far from being "universally applicable", in fact tonearm/cartridge matching is more difficult than with the Denon 103. I wonder if the SPU's sound totally different if Ortofon would reduce their mass to 20+ grams (including integrated headshell).

Chris
dazzdax

Showing 1 response by downunder

downunder
1,329 posts
 
Dazzdax, you seem to be forgetting that you are buying a dinosaur from the 50's that has the specific " SPU sound" that was used in radio station to get more presence coming thru.

that is a forward bump in the 200 to 1500 hz frequency.

This makes it wonderful for vocals, small ensembles, piano, even early beatles stuff

It is not a everyday cartridge if you listen to rock, pop or muisc with large dynamics.

God my SPU sounds crap with electronic or alternative rock music, but heavenly with Jazz like Ella Fitzgerald
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