Best Ortofon SPUs to sample

[howiebrou]

I'm loving my SPU Century on the SME 3012R-G. Got another SPU Century that I am going to use on a Glanz 124S when that arrives.

 

[Walnut Horns]

I'm loving my SPU Century on the SME 3012R-G. Got another SPU Century that I am going to use on a Glanz 124S when that arrives.

I will be very interested to hear how the Century performs on both arms. I’ve had my eye on the Glanz for use with my SPUs, including the Century, but not sure if it’ll be an improvement over my Ortofon 309D.

 

[howiebrou]

Unfortunately they will be on different tables but i will certainly let you know what i think with that proviso in mind.

 

[gian60]

I have 6 SPU,
would like to listen the century,but in Italy is impossible,need to buy

 

[djsina2]

Which SPU do you like best Gian?

 

[gian60]

A 95

 

[bonzo75]

At Gian's we did a SPU shootout between Ortofon SPU A95, A90, A85, Synergy, and Gold reference. Preferred the a95 the best. It has the most detail too. The 90 is also very good with reasonable detail and some character of the older SPUs. In another a95 to a85 compare in another system we preferred the 95 much more. The first classic SPU also has a charm.

At Gian's it was on the Torqeo SAEC arm, other compares done were on the Schick arm and the FR 66s.

 

[108CY]

I personally like the century over the 95 it has tremendous depth and tonality it also has great speed and attack, for seductiveness in the upper midrange the shindo this can be totally mesmerising works very well in the glanz.

 

[CKKeung]

I'm loving my SPU Century on the SME 3012R-G. Got another SPU Century that I am going to use on a Glanz 124S when that arrives.

Howie's AS Ascona MkII and a SPU Century on a magnificent 3012R.

 

[howiebrou]

View attachment 57747

Howie's AS Ascona MkII and SPU Century on a magnificent 3012R.

I recognise that! The century is my first SPU. I really like the tonality but I have to confess i don't know how much of sound is contributed by the table, tonearm and cartridge. I will be installing an Ikeda 9Gss on an Ikeda 407 so we will see how that differs.

 

[bonzo75]

It will be interesting to also see how you prefer the Glanz to the SME 3012r. Is your Ikeda old Matt or chrome?

 

[108CY]

I recognise that! The century is my first SPU. I really like the tonality but I have to confess i don't know how much of sound is contributed by the table, tonearm and cartridge. I will be installing an Ikeda 9Gss on an Ikeda 407 so we will see how that differs.

Ikeda arms are notorious for inconsistency no two sound the same I have heard two identical arms be vastly apart, also no two arms have identical geometry some are easier to line up cartridges. When the ikea is right its magic I personally have a soft spot for the arm it can be quite magical.

 

[howiebrou]

It will be interesting to also see how you prefer the Glanz to the SME 3012r. Is your Ikeda old Matt or chrome?

All that glitters....is Gold. I'm also looking forward to the Glanz. Old School Glanz vs. Old School SME vs. Old School Ikeda.

 

[christoph]

Ikeda arms are notorious for inconsistency no two sound the same I have heard two identical arms be vastly apart, also no two arms have identical geometry some are easier to line up cartridges. When the ikea is right its magic I personally have a soft spot for the arm it can be quite magical.

Sounds a bit like VdH
Hit and miss.
Happy for those with good ears and multiple samples to chose from

 

[108CY]

Sounds a bit like VdH
Hit and miss.
Happy for those with good ears and multiple samples to chose from

Back in the day I would buy around 60 vdh cartridges at one go, when they were good they blew your mind when not they blew your wallet. One thing for for AJ is very capable of making a highly enjoyable cartridge just takes a bit of determination and perseverance. I have draws full of duds luckily cartridges are small.

 

[108CY]

All that glitters....is Gold. I'm also looking forward to the Glanz. Old School Glanz vs. Old School SME vs. Old School Ikeda.

The Gold 3012r sounds very different to the standard one due to the copper under plate and the 6 microns of gold I much prefer the balance personally. I also find abec 7 bearings far nicer sounding than the abec one normally supplied along side the knife-edge.

 

[bonzo75]

The SPU-a gold limited edition with silver wire was different from SPU G?

 

[bonzo75]

Ah you guys are talking about 3012r gold

 

[djsina2]

I just acquired a Shindo SPU. My only other SPU was the Synergy and that was too many years and different systems ago for a comparison. Is there anyone who’s compared a standard SPU to the Shindo recently? I’m wondering what the Shindo mods add to the sound. This thing sounds incredible.

 

[CKKeung]

A friend of mine told me that vintage Jorgen Schou SUTs are very good partners of SPU.
Is that true?

He was testing one with his LP setup :