The SPU Collector Box - a true collector's item

In 2011 we decided to give our SPU fans around the world an opportunity to get a collection of the four most famous SPUs, each of them being a very special collector's item: SPU Classic, SPU Gold Reference, SPU 85th Anniversary and SPU 90th Anniversary. These four most famous SPU cartridges represent the diversity of technical solutions and materials, and reflect the continuous technological development thoughout the past 50 years.

The SPU Collector box is complete with a booklet encompassing the history of Ortofon, the history of SPU and description of the products.

Being the inventor of the world famous SPU stereo cartridge in 1958, most music lovers, even today, find that there is no name like Ortofon which is more involved in the history of analogue reproduction. The fact that Ortofon has kept the SPU in production for half a century says a lot about the enduring rightness of its design.

The original SPU model, engineered by Mr. Robert Gudmandsen in 1959, introduced low coil impedance concept. As a basis for reproducing superb high frequencies, this concept has been improved and refined in the decades since.

In the early sixties Ortofon was the moving coil manufacturer with the SPU range comprising three models: E (elliptical stylus), G (standard SME-fit G-shell) and T (with or without step-up transformer).

The SPU Classic

Over time the SPU in a G housing prevailed and gradually became the popular SPU Classic. Equipped with Nude spherical stylus the SPU Classic has sound that is both rich and silky. With its linearity and full body, this cartridge has remained a favorite throughout the years, both for modern and vintage high-end applications.

Features:
Cantilever: Aluminium
Stylus: Nude Spherical
Armaturewire: Copper  
Magnet: Alnico
Housing: Aluminum-Magnesium alloy

This cartridge is a perfect solution for the playback of both early and modern and contemporary stereo recordings. The Ortofon SPU Classic simply refuses to die!

The SPU Gold Reference

The SPU Gold Reference, introduced in 1989, was limited to 335 units.

Features:
Cantilever: Gold plated Alu
Stylus: Replicant 100
Armaturewire: 99,99999% Copper 
Magnet: Alnico
Housing: Aluminum-Magnesium alloy

These improvements made it possible to reduce the tracking force and obtain a more linear frequency response.
Sonically, the Gold Reference is a genuine SPU, known for it’s beautiful fluid midrange, but with just a taste of extra detail.

The SPU 85th Anniversary

The SPU 85's unique characteristics included an outstanding housing made of Japanese Hida Beech wood, famous for its strength and hardness. For the exclusive surface treatment, the 6000 years old Japanese Urushi lacquer method was chosen in order to achieve a hard, resistant and beautiful multilayer surface in dark maroon colour.
In order to influence sound from the motor system, a new wire concept for the armature windings called “AUCURUM” was developed, that creates extraordinarily high conductivity and environmental resistivity. 

Features:
Cantilever: Aluminium
Stylus: Nude Elliptical
Armaturewire: AUCURUM, a composite of very pure copper and gold
Magnet: Neodymium
Housing: Hida Beech using Urushi lacquer technique

The SPU 90th Anniversary

The SPU 90th Anniversary, from 2008 was limited to 500 units. What makes the SPU 90th Anniversary unique is the combination of following four elements:  a completely new patent-pending magnetic system, the inclusion of the renowned Field Stabilizing Element system, the direct connection between the generator system and the wooden housing (ensuring extremely high internal damping), and finally the use of the Selective Laser Melting manufacturing technique.
SPU 90th Anniversary provides reproduction of sound that is unsurpassed in its neutrality, detail and dynamic range. 

Features:
Cantilever: Aluminium
Stylus: Nude Elliptical
Armaturewire: a composite of copper and silver
Magnet: Neodymium
Housing: Wood powder + Phenolic resin

SPU Classic GM

• Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5 cm/sec: 200 mV
• Channel balance at 1 kHz: < 1 dB
• Channel separation at 1 kHz: > 20 dB
• Channel separation at 15 kHz: > 10 dB
• Frequency range at -3 dB: 20-25,000 Hz
• Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz ±3 dB
• Tracking ability at 315 Hz at recommended tracking force: >65 µm
• Compliance, dynamic, lateral: 8 µm/mN
• Stylus type: Nude spherical
• Stylus tip radius: R 18 µm
• Tracking force range: 3.0-5.0 g (30-50 mN)
• Tracking force recommended: 4.0 g (40 mN)
• Tracking angle: 20°
• Internal impedance, DC resistance: 2 Ohm
• Recommended load impedance: >10 Ohm
• Cartridge body material: Aluminum-Magnesium alloy
• Cartridge colour: Nickel/Black
• Cartridge weight: 32 g

SPU Gold Reference

• Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5 cm/sec: > 0,2 mV
• Channel balance at 1 kHz: < 1 dB
• Channel separation at 1 kHz: > 25 dB
• Channel separation at 15 kHz: > 15 dB
• Frequency range at -3 dB: 20-50,000 Hz
• Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz +2.5 dB/-0 dB
• Tracking ability at 315 Hz, lateral: >70 µm
• Compliance dynamic lateral: 10/10 µm/mN
• Stylus type: Ortofon Replicant 100
• Stylus tip radius: r/R 5/100 µm
• Tracking force range: 2.5-3.5 g (25-35 mN)
• Tracking force recommended: 3.0 g (30 mN)
• Tracking angel (vertical): 20°
• Internal impedance DC resistance per channel: 3 Ohm
• Recommended Load impedance: >10 Ohm
• Cartridge body material: Aluminum-Magnesium alloy
• Cartridge colour (body/shield): Gold/Black
• Cartridge weight complete with head shell: 32 g

SPU 85

• Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5 cm/sec: 400 mV
• Channel balance at 1 kHz: < 1,5 dB
• Channel separation at 1 kHz: >23 dB
• Channel separation at 15 kHz: >18 dB
• Frequency range at -3 dB: 20-30,000 Hz
• Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz +2/-1 dB
• Tracking ability at 315 Hz at recommended tracking force: 80 µm
• Compliance, dynamic, lateral: 8 µm/mN
• Stylus type: Nude elliptical
• Stylus tip radius: r/R 8/18 µm
• Tracking force range: 3.0-4.0 g (30-40 mN)
• Tracking force recommended: 3.5 g (35 mN)
• Tracking angle: 20°
• Internal impedance DC resistance: 3.5 Ohm
• Recommended load impedance: 50-100 Ohm
• Cartridge body material: Hida Beech wood + Urushi
• Cartridge colour: Dark maroon
• Cartridge weight: 30 g

SPU 90th Anniversary

• Output voltage at 1000 Hz 5 cm/sec.: 300 mV
• Channel balance at 1 kHz: < 1 dB
• Channel separation at 1 kHz: > 23 dB
• Channel separation at 15 kHz: > 15 dB
• Frequency range at -3 dB: 20-30,000 Hz
• Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz ± 2 dB
• Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force *): 80 µm
• Compliance, dynamic, lateral: 10 µm/mN
• Stylus type: Nude elliptical
• Stylus tip radius: r/R 8/18 µm
• Tracking force range: 2.5-3.5 g (25-35 mN)
• Tracking force, recommended: 3.0 g (30 mN)
• Tracking angle: 20°
• Internal impedance, DC resistance: 2 Ohm
• Recommended load impedance: 10-50 Ohm
• Cartridge body material: Wood powder + Phenolic resin
• Coilwire material: Silverplated Copper
• Cartridge colour: Shiny Black
• Cartridge weight: 30 g

*) Typical value