The Ortofon SPU cartridges are part of a tradition which have made their reputation for over 60 years, since 1968! The Danish manufacturer is now offering a more economical version of its best sellers, thus making this range more accessible.
ORTOFON SPU #1 E: BODY AND STYLUS
From the outside, nothing differentiates it from an ORTOFON SPU Classic GM MKII cartridge, besides its black satin finish which is different from the black glossy finish of the GM MKII. The casing is made of a composite made up of saw dust and resin.
On this cartridge, the aluminium cantilever is equipped with an elliptical stylus. However, an identical version of this cartridge with a spherical stylus is also available: the Ortofon SPU #1 S cartridge.
The coils use a high purity OFC copper conductor.
ORTOFON SPU #1 E: COMPATIBILITY
Like with all SPUs, the Ortofon SPU #1 E can be directly mounted on an “S” shaped tonearm that has a universal bayonet connector.
This MC cartridge is perfectly compatible with the Ortofon TA-110 and TA-210 tonearms. It is however recommended to install this cartridge on a tonearm that has a medium or high effective mass.
ORTOFON SPU #1 E: PHONO STAGE
We strongly recommend you to use a step-up transformer with this Ortofon SPU #1 E MC cartridge since it has a low output voltage (0.18 mV) and very low impedance. The Ortofon ST-7 step-up transformer is perfect for this cartridge and the results are remarkable.
You can also use a MC phono preamp. However this MC phono preamp needs to have one or two loads under 100 ohms. The tracking force, like for all SPU’s, is important: more than 3 g (knowing that Ortofon recommends 4g).
ORTOFON SPU #1 E: TESTING AND LISTENING
The Ortofon SPU #1 E MC cartridge produces a sound restitution that completely falls within the tradition of Ortofon SPU cartridges. There is the musicality that this range is known for: a superb soundstage as well as a magnificent timbre and remarkable dynamics.
The elliptical stylus of the Ortofon SPU #1 E MC cartridge provides a more detailed sound restitution and a wider and more precise soundstage than the Ortofon SPU #1 S MC cartridge which is equipped with a spherical stylus.
A remarkable quality/price ratio! Highly recommended +++
AWARDS :
Stereoplay – Goldenes Ohr 2018
FranckPrinciple: low output MC
Output voltage: 0.18 mV
Channel balance at 1 kHz: 1.5 dB
Channel separation at 1 kHz: 20 dB
Channel separation at 15 kHz: 10 dB
Frequency response: 20-25.000 Hz - ± 3 dB
Tracking: 65 μm at 315 Hz
Lateral compliance: 10 μm / mN
Stylus: elliptical
Tip: R 18 μm / r / R 8/18 μm
Tracking force range: 3.0-5.0 g (30-50 mN)
Recommended tracking force: 4.0 g (40 mN)
Tracking angle: 20 °
Internal impedance: 2 ohms
Recommended load impedance: > 10 ohms
Body material: composite of wood and resin
Coils: High purity copper (OFC)
Cartridge weight: 30 g
