Ortofon SPU ROYAL GM MKII, SPU Synergy, SPU MEISTER SILVER GM MKII, SPU CLASSIC GM E MKII, SPU CLASSIC GM MKII operation manual

SPU Cartridges

The Sound of Excellence

SPU Cartridges

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.

Based on Ortofon’s already 10 year old technology and
experience in mono cartridges, the SPU immediately set the
standard for professional and audiophile applications and
pointed the way for the next 57 years of high-end cartridge
design:

- a generator comprising two low-impedance coils

- wound with very fine copper wire and crossed in
such a way that the two walls of an LP’s
stereo microgroove could generate
two discrete signals with maximum
separation

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.

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.

SPU Mono Series

The SPU Mono models provide an authentic method of playing
back early Mono recordings with a remarkable level of sonic
accuracy.

The SPU Mono GM MkII is a high output cartridge a with a
spherical stylus profile, for the playback of early
25 µm mono recordings with 33 and 45 r.p.m..
Its 3 mV high output eliminates the need for a
moving coil transformer.

The SPU Mono CG cartridges are available in two versions
determined by the diamond tip radius 25 and
65 µm: the 25 µm diamond for Mono LPs with
33 and 45 r.p.m. and the 65 µm diamond for
78 r.p.m.

The SPU CG models have a 1.5 mV output,
which makes the cartridges suitable for use with a variety of
medium-gain moving coil transformers.

SPU Classic Series

The SPU Classic series, as the name implies, embodies the
essence of the original Moving Coils. With their linearity and full
bodies, these cartridges are a perfect solution for the playback of
both early and contemporary Stereo recordings.

The SPU Classic series is known for its
dynamic and powerful sound reproduction,
without any roughness, minimum of
intermodulation distortion and a splendid
channel separation, the images being firm and
positive.

The SPU Classic N and SPU Classic NE
cartridges, with their half-inch adaptor, provide
the ability to mount the unit on standard
headshells, as well as in a wider range of
tonearms.

SPU Meister Silver GM MkII

The masterpiece of Mr.Robert Gudmandsen, the SPU Meister
Silver was introduced in 1996 as a technological improvement of
great impor tance: Ortofon has succeeded in having the purest
silver wire ever produced for coil winding process.

The SPU Meister Silver GM MkII has been
outfitted with high purity multi-conductor 6–
nines Silver wire for a more open and revealing
high-end presentation.
The Nude Elliptical stylus tip mass has been
decreased by a factor of more than 50%,
resulting in increased tracking ability and reproduction of dynamic
detail.

The generator system has been revised to produce a slightly higher
output to ensure compatibility with a wider range of moving coil
transformers and active MC preamplifiers.

SPU Synergy GM

The SPU Synergy modernizes the classic SPU design with a
number of optimizations developed for optimum compatibility
and sonic purity. The SPU Synergy transducer system allows
extraordinary synergy of sonorous sound.

Very low coil-resistance combined with
unusually high output of 0.5 mV, achieved by
using Neodymium magnets, is decisive for
reaching the high signal-to-noise ratio.
The exceptional black polished Urushi painting
on the SPU Synergy wood-based housing
suggests a precious jewel-like appearance.

A revised generator system, which allows for a maximum output of

0.5 mV, relaxes the requirement for high gain transformer or active
pre-amplification systems.

SPU #1 S and E

The SPU #1 models are perfect all-rounders for the newcomers to the world of SPU. The SPU #1 S and SPU #1 E feature
respectively Spherical and Elliptical styli, High Purity Copper armature windings and Ground wood and resin composite
housings. The SPU #1 E elliptical stylus profile provides more detailed sound reproduction and expansive imaging.

With their linearity and full bodies, the SPU #1 models are a perfect solution for the playback of stereo recordings.
Sonically, the SPU #1 models are genuine SPUs, known for their full-bodied and powerful music image, minimum of intermodulation distortion
and an impressive channel separation.

SPU Royal

The SPU Royal GM and Royal N models were launched in 1998
to celebrate the Ortofon 80-year anniversary. The SPU Royal GM
MkII provides a playback experience that embodies the essence
of analog, with generous refinements, which bring the legendary
SPU cartridges into the realm of unrivaled
perfection.

The addition of Ortofon’s unique Replicant 100
stylus and reduced tip mass ensures open
and detailed sound reproduction for a purely
exquisite listening experience.

Electrum coils, consisting of a gold and silver alloy, provide
uncolored and precise transmission of armature movements, while
the slightly modified damping system makes it possible to reduce
vibrations within the cartridge body and achieve a higher level of
linearity.

The SPU Royal N cartridge, with its half-inch
adaptor, provides the ability to mount the unit on
standard headshells, as well as in a wider range
of tonearms.

SPU A95

The SPU 95th Anniversary model represents the pinnacle of SPU
cartridges. Much like Robert Gudmandsen’s revolutionary ideas,
which catapulted the SPU to market prominence, endless research
and conceptual designs have developed further in this very special
SPU A95 model.

The inclusion of the renowned Field Stabilizing
Element system allows for greater dynamics,
absolute clarity, and depth of sound for truly
sonic performance.

The mechanical structure of the SPU A95 cartridge has been re­engineered: at the mechanical heart lies a revolutionary customized
Selective Laser Melting manufacturing procedure.

The use of Titanium in SPU A95 has provided a further
improvement to the internal damping capabilities as well as to the
overall rigidity of the structure. The SPU A95 has gone to the next
level by reducing unwanted vibrations in the cartridge.
Also adding to the sonic per formance of the SPU A95 is nothing
but the best internal coil wiring, comprised of silver plated ultrahigh
purity (6NX) copper wire.

“SPU A95 is quiet in the groove, with lots of detail, a fine sense
of space on stereo records and ability to convey depth and
perspective and the “wholeness” of individual sounds.” Art Dudley,
Stereophile December 2014.