Just bought a 1980s SPU

[denonfans]

SPU has been on my mind for over 1 year. Due to its higher price and so many variations. I have missed chances to buy one. A few days ago I revisited the SPU offering on the net and still not decided. Until I read a blog that has same image of one of the offer. It was an early SPU in 1979-1988 they called Harman era. So I decided not bidding but take its buy it now price. SPU GE of 1980s.
It will go on my Micro seiki BL-51X with upgraded 4.5kg platter. I read somewhere SPU may not suit belt drive of lighter mass but due to my two direct drive turntables are occupied by other satisfied cartridges it will temporarily sit on my Micro.

 

[foxtan]

I do own a few vintage SPU, and listened some variation, the SPU Gold GE/AE and SPU Synergy impress me most. All SPU produced before 80's are much better than those in latter production.......

With no offense, your BL-51X tonearm is not a good match with the SPU, it a at most a mid mass tonearm, you cannot fully reveal the potential of SPU with this tonearm........ besides, SPU prefer mate with Step Up Transformer to Phono amp MC input......

 

[denonfans]

I do own a few vintage SPU, and listened some variation, the SPU Gold GE/AE and SPU Synergy impress me most. All SPU produced before 80's are much better than those in latter production.......

With no offense, your BL-51X tonearm is not a good match with the SPU, it a at most a mid mass tonearm, you cannot fully reveal the potential of SPU with this tonearm........ besides, SPU prefer mate with Step Up Transformer to Phono amp MC input......

Yes, I worried. So I added an tonearm stand and prepared Denon DA-305 which is native arm for DL-103 cartridge and also ordered a Fidelity research FR-54 which I read is 16gram mass and quite similar to Ortofon 9inch arm design.

 

[denonfans]

I do own a few vintage SPU, and listened some variation, the SPU Gold GE/AE and SPU Synergy impress me most. All SPU produced before 80's are much better than those in latter production.......

With no offense, your BL-51X tonearm is not a good match with the SPU, it a at most a mid mass tonearm, you cannot fully reveal the potential of SPU with this tonearm........ besides, SPU prefer mate with Step Up Transformer to Phono amp MC input......

For the step up transformer I have the 10/40 times AU-320 to try. If it doesn’t match I think I will let it direct into my MC phono which is spec to take as low as 0.05mV MC.

 

[Lynnot]

One month later - so how did you get allong with your new old SPU GE, do you like its sound?

 

[Lynnot]

Hi,

I bought myself a new SPU "ATR Celebration 40" which is kind of a nude SPU classic E mkII with a bonded tip.
Then I mounted it in a vintage metal G-shell.

Resulting in a true replacement for my SPU Classic GE (which has too many hours on it).

And I like it very much in this particular configuration.


Best regards, Tony