The SPU was launched back in 1958 in response to the demand for
cartridges to reproduce the new stereo records. The term ?SPU? stands
for ?stereo pick-up? as phono cartridges were called ?pickups? in
the 1950s and 1960s. Mr. Robert Gudmandsen, one of Ortofon?s
then leading engineers, took a principal part in developing this cartridge.
Back in 1958 the Ortofon SPU sounded like no other cartridge
because it was way ahead of its competition. Today the SPU
still has a sound that is definitely its own and it enjoys
a remarkable following - in particular among
audiophiles whose systems are comprised
of vintage valve equipment and horn
or reflex speakers.
The so-called ?Ortofon sound? became
synonymous with the sound from the SPU, at
an early stage. The sound of the SPU
cartridge is characterized by a rich
bass and a transparent treble range
plus those extra qualities, which are
so hard to define, but so easy to
appreciate when they are realized.
With no other cartridge over the course of half a century, have
we ever had to take so much care in respecting this original
sound when improving technical data, as with the SPU model.
As a result and in order to show considerations for this goal,
our customers will after 59 years still find the basic visuals,
the original design, as well as the original elements in the
construction of the magnetic circuit kept fully intact.
Evidently, the product has changed throughout its lifetime.
New possibilities in regards to housing materials, diamonds
and magnetic & damping systems have been employed to
improve the SPU and its performance, whilst at the same time
we remain faithful to the original concept.
A key SPU feature is an integrated headshell, designed
to mount directly into classic tonearms with detachable
headshells - tonearms such as the SME 3009 and 3012, and
other tonearms with similar ?universal? tonearm mounts. Quite
simply, there is no finer complement to a classic tonearm with
a detachable headshell than an Ortofon SPU.
Perfect all-rounders for the newcomers to the world of SPU
The SPU #1 S and SPU #1 E feature:
- Respectively Spherical and Elliptical stylus. The SPU #1 E elliptical stylus profile provides more detailed sound reproduction and expansive imaging.
- High Purity Copper armature windings and terminal leads
- Grinded wood and resin composite housing
These SPU cartridges embodies the essence of the original Moving Coils and are a perfect solution for the playback of both early and modern and contemporary stereo recordings. Excellent price-to-performance ratio.
SPU #1 S and E Technical data
Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. - 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 ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force *) 65 ?m
Compliance, dynamic, lateral - 10 ?m/mN
Stylus type - Spherical / Elliptical
Stylus tip radius - R 18 ?m / r/R 8/18 μm
Tracking force range - 3.0-5.0 g (30-50 mN)
Tracking force, recommended - 4.0 g (40 mN)
Tracking angle - 20?
*) Typical value
Internal impedance, DC resistance - 2 ohm
Recommended load impedance > 10 ohm
Cartridge body material - Ground wood and resin composite
Coilwire material - High Purity Copper (OFC)
Cartridge colour - Black matte
Cartridge weight - 30 g
cartridges to reproduce the new stereo records. The term ?SPU? stands
for ?stereo pick-up? as phono cartridges were called ?pickups? in
the 1950s and 1960s. Mr. Robert Gudmandsen, one of Ortofon?s
then leading engineers, took a principal part in developing this cartridge.
Back in 1958 the Ortofon SPU sounded like no other cartridge
because it was way ahead of its competition. Today the SPU
still has a sound that is definitely its own and it enjoys
a remarkable following - in particular among
audiophiles whose systems are comprised
of vintage valve equipment and horn
or reflex speakers.
The so-called ?Ortofon sound? became
synonymous with the sound from the SPU, at
an early stage. The sound of the SPU
cartridge is characterized by a rich
bass and a transparent treble range
plus those extra qualities, which are
so hard to define, but so easy to
appreciate when they are realized.
With no other cartridge over the course of half a century, have
we ever had to take so much care in respecting this original
sound when improving technical data, as with the SPU model.
As a result and in order to show considerations for this goal,
our customers will after 59 years still find the basic visuals,
the original design, as well as the original elements in the
construction of the magnetic circuit kept fully intact.
Evidently, the product has changed throughout its lifetime.
New possibilities in regards to housing materials, diamonds
and magnetic & damping systems have been employed to
improve the SPU and its performance, whilst at the same time
we remain faithful to the original concept.
A key SPU feature is an integrated headshell, designed
to mount directly into classic tonearms with detachable
headshells - tonearms such as the SME 3009 and 3012, and
other tonearms with similar ?universal? tonearm mounts. Quite
simply, there is no finer complement to a classic tonearm with
a detachable headshell than an Ortofon SPU.
Perfect all-rounders for the newcomers to the world of SPU
The SPU #1 S and SPU #1 E feature:
- Respectively Spherical and Elliptical stylus. The SPU #1 E elliptical stylus profile provides more detailed sound reproduction and expansive imaging.
- High Purity Copper armature windings and terminal leads
- Grinded wood and resin composite housing
These SPU cartridges embodies the essence of the original Moving Coils and are a perfect solution for the playback of both early and modern and contemporary stereo recordings. Excellent price-to-performance ratio.
SPU #1 S and E Technical data
Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. - 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 ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force *) 65 ?m
Compliance, dynamic, lateral - 10 ?m/mN
Stylus type - Spherical / Elliptical
Stylus tip radius - R 18 ?m / r/R 8/18 μm
Tracking force range - 3.0-5.0 g (30-50 mN)
Tracking force, recommended - 4.0 g (40 mN)
Tracking angle - 20?
*) Typical value
Internal impedance, DC resistance - 2 ohm
Recommended load impedance > 10 ohm
Cartridge body material - Ground wood and resin composite
Coilwire material - High Purity Copper (OFC)
Cartridge colour - Black matte
Cartridge weight - 30 g
