why do Ortofon SPU C from the 50ies sound so good?

I mean the old Mono Ortofons, not the Stereo Pick-Ups - Uups

Martinhall & Ldvalve,
I am using the old Mono carts with an Ortofon RMA 309 running on an EMT R80. Maybe it is a well matching combination and the carts are also in a pretty nice condition. Nevertheless I was wondering because most people regard that old vintage stuff not as HiFi or even High End which is not true - You are right.

Best & Fun Only - Thuchan

Dear Raul,

I now have a machine with the EMT JPA66 which is the ultimate phono stage / preamp for MM carts too. You are able to adjust MMs precisely and influence the sound in many ways. I do think this could give me another direction, who knows...

best & fun only - Thuchan

Well said Martinhall, this is really true. Nevertheless "being full of music" does not prevent me from avoiding "not good sound". I am becoming more and more critical and maybe also non compromise.

Yes Nandric, you are right. I was born as a musician but no one discovered and developed my talent. The only chance I had was working with music reproduction machines which led me through different stages of believing and not believing. From my profession I learned to put only wrong questions while all the others believe they put the right questions...

enjoy the sunday evening ...

best & fun only - Thuchan

Dear Nandric,
being a very funny animal, at least in this hobby, I am not sensitive anymore for a positive feedback on such a high level as you did. You mean I have some skills left as a man now having reached the golden age still listening to old large black discs on a humble system in a modest room? You maybe right.

best & fun only - Thuchan

Dear Nandric, YES: "Me And THE Cart", a drama in three acts. The real story behind these two very special carts that most of you would never thought of buying or using them (Am I right?) is that they have been kept in perfect shape. There are no rubber parts to be damaged by UV light or bad usuage. They went through knowlegeable hands too.

Regarding very old Ortofon carts I made the experience that even the 100% Japanese owner of Ortofon today is not providing sufficient information, also not about the old arms. Some people think it can`t be a SPU C because it is coming in an A body... which is also only part of the story.

I do like what Art Dudley is doing in Stereophile with those old "small machines". But as I have told in the EMT/Micro thread maybe just the Mini Coopers... His stories are more interesting than what most of the TAS writers are delivering on most modern gear.

BTW the EMT 997 "banana" (the original one) is an excellent tonearm.

I gave up to convince Syntax on these vintage items. Everyone is allowed to live in his own kingdom of ideas, thoughts and knowledge, especially if they lead to nice results - and here we are back to your favourite: philosophy. Maybe I will now develop a completly different relation to my two old Ortofon carts (they are older than we). I will tell you.

best & fun only - Thuchan

Dear Nandric,

sharing exitement on such vintage items is'nt such easy I guess. I do think that many "of our friends in this special cart field" just read on Audiogon being a little shy to expose themselves with their gear and opinions. I don't mind, it's fine - as long as you stay in this loop :-)

The problem with these old Ortofon carts is also that when they are used with modern tonearms/ tables they do sound a bit sharp and cool. Most people then regard them as being not appropriate for their usage.
... will be continued

best & fun only - Thuchan