Ortofon SPU Classic N cartridge for archival work

Ortofon SPU Classic N cartridges mounted in SME 309 and 312 headshells at The Audio Archive

Ortofon SPU Classic N with Custom Styli

The Ortofon SPU Classic N cartridge combines the wide bandwidth and fast transients needed to do optimal preservation, restoration and re-mastering. It is also the only moving coil cartridge available that comfortably tracks at a higher VTF (Vertical Tracking Force) needed for playback of obsolete disc media (ie. 78 shellac discs, electric transcription discs). The Ortofon SPU series has a long history of high performance and great musicality.

For those unfamiliar with moving coil cartridges, there are two different cartridge designs:

Moving Coil (MC): A coil is attached to the cartridge cantilever and moves between two fixed magnets. Moving coils have lower output voltages (<1.0 mV). Because there is less moving mass, moving coils can respond much quicker to groove modulations. The faster response means better transients and wider bandwidth than Moving Magnet cartridges. Changing stylus requires mounting an entire cartridge - we recommend having swappable headshells or tonearm wands.

Moving Magnet (MM): A magnet is attached to the cartridge cantilever and moves between two fixed coils. Moving magnets have higher output voltages (5-10 mV). Because there is more moving mass (magnet), moving magnet cartridges do not respond as quickly to groove modulations as moving coil cartridges. Changing stylus requires only swapping the stylus (cartridge can remain mounted in the headshell).

We take the stock Ortofon SPU Classic N cartridge and have custom styli mounted for playing back obsolete disc media. The custom styli are manufactured and mounted by Expert Stylus in England.

Some recommended styli sizes (in mil):

78 Shellacs (Acoustic)

4.0 CT

3.0 CT

3.5 FC (Edison Diamond Disc)

78 Shellacs (Electric)

2.3 ET

2.5 ET

2.8 ET

3.0 ET

Use FC (Full Conical) geometry for worn discs, ET (Elliptical Truncated) for discs in good condition.

Electric Transcription Discs

2.8 ET (pre-1946)

2.5 ET (pre-1946)

2.3 ET (pre- and post-1946)

2.0 ET (post-1946)

1.7 ET (post-1946)

Early Microgroove Discs

1.0 ET

1.2 ET

Dictation Discs (Gray Audograph, Edison Voicewriter, Soundscriber)

0.7 FC

1.0 FC

In addition to the above stylus geometries and dimensions, we can have other custom styli manufactured for use with acoustic, embossed aluminum, vertical-cut, and other obsolete grooved media.

Ortofon SPU Classic N with custom 2.5 mil truncated elliptical stylus mounted on a Simon Yorke S7.1 tonearm



	Ortofon SPU Classic N cartridges mounted in SME 309 and 312 headshells at The Audio Archive Ortofon SPU Classic N with Custom Styli The Ortofon SPU Classic N cartridge combines the wide bandwidth and fast transients needed to do optimal preservation, restoration and re-mastering. It is also the only moving coil cartridge available that comfortably tracks at a higher VTF (Vertical Tracking Force) needed for playback of obsolete disc media (ie. 78 shellac discs, electric transcription discs). The Ortofon SPU series has a long history of high performance and great musicality. For those unfamiliar with moving coil cartridges, there are two different cartridge designs: Moving Coil (MC): A coil is attached to the cartridge cantilever and moves between two fixed magnets. Moving coils have lower output voltages (<1.0 mV). Because there is less moving mass, moving coils can respond much quicker to groove modulations. The faster response means better transients and wider bandwidth than Moving Magnet cartridges. Changing stylus requires mounting an entire cartridge - we recommend having swappable headshells or tonearm wands. Moving Magnet (MM): A magnet is attached to the cartridge cantilever and moves between two fixed coils. Moving magnets have higher output voltages (5-10 mV). Because there is more moving mass (magnet), moving magnet cartridges do not respond as quickly to groove modulations as moving coil cartridges. Changing stylus requires only swapping the stylus (cartridge can remain mounted in the headshell). We take the stock Ortofon SPU Classic N cartridge and have custom styli mounted for playing back obsolete disc media. The custom styli are manufactured and mounted by Expert Stylus in England. Some recommended styli sizes (in mil): 78 Shellacs (Acoustic) 4.0 CT 3.0 CT 3.5 FC (Edison Diamond Disc) 78 Shellacs (Electric) 2.3 ET 2.5 ET 2.8 ET 3.0 ET Use FC (Full Conical) geometry for worn discs, ET (Elliptical Truncated) for discs in good condition. Electric Transcription Discs 2.8 ET (pre-1946) 2.5 ET (pre-1946) 2.3 ET (pre- and post-1946) 2.0 ET (post-1946) 1.7 ET (post-1946) Early Microgroove Discs 1.0 ET 1.2 ET Dictation Discs (Gray Audograph, Edison Voicewriter, Soundscriber) 0.7 FC 1.0 FC In addition to the above stylus geometries and dimensions, we can have other custom styli manufactured for use with acoustic, embossed aluminum, vertical-cut, and other obsolete grooved media. Ortofon SPU Classic N with custom 2.5 mil truncated elliptical stylus mounted on a Simon Yorke S7.1 tonearm	For more product information, please write: ericj@TheAudioArchive.com or call us at: +1 (408) 221-2128
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