Ortofon at Cloney Audio
Ortofon can trace its history back to the 1920’s two Danish Engineers - Axel Petersen (1887-1971) and Arnold Poulsen (1889-1952) -set out to develop a system for synchronising film soundtracks with moving pictures.
They succeeded by the mid twenties, paving the way for the “talkies” and their system became a mainstay of film sound worldwide.
Amidst the turmoil of World War II, the company began to focus on music reproduction, secretly developing a new record cutter head. The design was absolutely revolutionary, almost tripling the bandwidth which could be accommodated on disc - up from 5kHz to 14kHz. For reference, the nominal upper range of human hearing is 20 kHz, but in practice most adults hear little if anything beyond 15kHz.
From designing the equipment to commit music to disc, it was a logical next step to reverse the process by developing a pickup cartridge. This was absolutely necessary since no pickup system available at the time could reproduce what the cutter head was inscribing on disc.
Cartridges are essentially electricity generators and like all such generators they require the intersection of coils of wire and a magnetic field. In achieving this, cartridge designs fall into two basic categories - either a magnet attached to the stylus/cantilever moves within coils of wire (moving magnet) or the coils of wire are attached to the cantilever and move in a magnetic field (moving coil).
The latter design requires a higher degree of miniaturisation and is generally regarded as superior when price is not the primary consideration. This brings us back to Ortofon and the fact that Holger Christian Arentzen developed the first moving coil cartridge in 1947, leading to the foundation of Ortofon as we know it today. The mono type A was soon followed by the legendary SPU (stereo pick-up), a cartridge which is still regarded by some enthusiasts as the finest ever made.
From there, Ortofon followed a path of innovation across both moving magnet and moving coil technologies with a range that spans all price categories from the affordable to cost no object using exotic laser melted titanium bodies and diamond cantilevers. The company’s dominance in the cartridge has allowed it to invest heavily in manufacturing technology with amazing precision micro machines, as shown in the video to the left.
Ortofon - from the greek - Correct (orto) Sound (fon) - perfectly sums up this enduring brand.
For more info on Ortofon, visit their website ortofon.com or visit us for a demo!
2M Series
One of our most popular cartridge ranges, the 2M range of moving magnet cartridges with a replaceable stylus and excellent tracking. The Red, Blue and Bronze and Black will enhance any turntable. When it comes to stylus replacement time you can upgrade your cartridge by moving up the range e.g. from Red to Blue. With a robust output the 2m series will work well with the moving magnet phono stages found in many integrated amplifiers.
With the 2M Premounted, it’s never been easier to experience
The 2M Premounted is a practical and elegant solution for our customers who wish direct and easy mounting and replacement on their S-shaped tonearm. The quality of the SH-4 headshell is sturdy and rigid, yet the design emphasizes a slim and delicate form factor. The strong, lightweight headshell has an ergonomic design with a long finger lift that is easy to pick up.
With the 2M Premounted, it’s never been easier to experience
The 2M Premounted is a practical and elegant solution for our customers who wish direct and easy mounting and replacement on their S-shaped tonearm. The quality of the SH-4 headshell is sturdy and rigid, yet the design emphasizes a slim and delicate form factor. The strong, lightweight headshell has an ergonomic design with a long finger lift that is easy to pick up.
With the 2M Premounted, it’s never been easier to experience
The 2M Premounted is a practical and elegant solution for our customers who wish direct and easy mounting and replacement on their S-shaped tonearm. The quality of the SH-4 headshell is sturdy and rigid, yet the design emphasizes a slim and delicate form factor. The strong, lightweight headshell has an ergonomic design with a long finger lift that is easy to pick up.
With the 2M Premounted, it’s never been easier to experience.
The 2M Premounted is a practical and elegant solution for our customers who wish direct and easy mounting and replacement on their S-shaped tonearm. The quality of the SH-4 headshell is sturdy and rigid, yet the design emphasizes a slim and delicate form factor. The strong, lightweight headshell has an ergonomic design with a long finger lift that is easy to pick up.
With the 2M Premounted, it’s never been easier to experience
The 2M Premounted is a practical and elegant solution for our customers who wish direct and easy mounting and replacement on their S-shaped tonearm. The quality of the SH-4 headshell is sturdy and rigid, yet the design emphasizes a slim and delicate form factor. The strong, lightweight headshell has an ergonomic design with a long finger lift that is easy to pick up.
With the 2M Premounted, it's never been easier to experience.
The 2M Premounted is a practical and elegant solution for our customers who wish direct and easy mounting and replacement on their S-shaped tonearm. The quality of the SH-4 headshell is sturdy and rigid, yet the design emphasizes a slim and delicate form factor. The strong, lightweight headshell has an ergonomic design with a long finger lift that is easy to pick up.
The 2M 78 features an improved engine, which provides a high level of sonic accuracy. The stylus' tip is a Spherical diamond that is perfect for playback of 78 rpm shellac records, which require a larger stylus profile. The cartridge body is manufactured from Hopelex, which ensures high rigidity while eliminating unwanted resonances.
DESCRIPTION
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven, we announce the release of the 2M Black LVB 250 Exclusive Model.
The 2M Black LVB 250 uses a Nude Shibata diamond on a Boron cantilever, the combination known from the acclaimed MC Cadenza Black cartridge.
DESCRIPTION
The 2M Red features a tipped Elliptical diamond and split pole pins with a copper wire. An improved engine provides an increased output of 5.5 mV and an optimized sound reproduction and a high level of sonic accuracy.
Features
An improved engine, which provides an increased output of 5.5 mV and an optimized sound reproduction and a high level of sonic accuracy.
Nude Elliptical diamond and split pole pins with a copper wire.
The cartridge body is manufactured from Hopelex, an environment-friendly material which ensures high rigidity while eliminating unwanted resonances.
DESCRIPTION
The 2M Bronze features a Nude Fine Line diamond, which is particularly suited for demanding applications. The slim profile of the Fine Line stylus will track even the highest frequency information, making it a must for discerning listeners. Additionally, its larger footprint ensures reduced distortion and record wear.
DESCRIPTION
The 2M Black is graced with a Shibata diamond which slim, highly polished profile allows an exceedingly wide contact area to the groove walls and ensures notably detailed reproduction throughout the spectrum, including even the most high frequency groove information.
DESCRIPTION
The 2M Mono features an improved engine, which provides a high level of sonic accuracy. The stylus' tip features a R 18µm Nude Spherical diamond that is an optimal solution for playing mono microgroove LP vinyl records. The cartridge body is manufactured from Hopelex, which ensures high rigidity while eliminating unwanted resonances.
Quintet Series
As Ortofon say: The Quintet Red is a perfect introduction to the world of Ortofon moving coils.It features an Elliptical diamond which is cut and polished to Ortofon’s standard. This entry-level MC cartridge has very high price-to-performance ratio and is a perfect all-rounder for the newcomers to the world of Moving Coil cartridges. MC Quintet Red is an all-purpose cartridge that delivers open, dynamic sound with a slight touch of warmth.
DESCRIPTION
The Quintet Blue's sound image will tend to more smooth reproduction compared to Quintet Red and moderate dynamic strength compared to Quintet Bronze.
It features a Nude Elliptical diamond mounted on an aluminium cantilever.
The Quintet Blue will bring more space, depth and detail into the sound and is a very good choice for any kind of music, especially rhythmic.
DESCRIPTION
The slim profile of its Nude Fine Line diamond stylus will track even the highest frequency information, making it a must for discerning listeners.
Additionally its larger footprint ensures reduced distortion and record wear.
The sound will be very evenhanded with respect to all aspects. Classical music will be reproduced with power and open space around each of the instruments.
DESCRIPTION
The Quintet Black S is graced with a Nude Shibata diamond, considered one of the best stylus profiles available, mounted on a high-performance Sapphire cantilever.
DESCRIPTION
The Quintet Red is a perfect introduction to the world of Ortofon moving coils.
It features an Elliptical diamond which is cut and polished to Ortofon’s standards.
This entry-level MC cartridge has very high price-to-performance ratio and is a perfect all-rounder for the newcomers to the world of Moving Coil cartridges.
DESCRIPTION
It features Nude Elliptical r/R 8/18µm stylus that is a good solution for playing mono microgroove vinyl records. The Quintet Mono will track perfectly through even worn and damaged records and ensure the surface noise control.
Cadenza Series
Again, available in a range of colour coded versions, the Cadenza series are top quality moving coil cartridges featuring aluminium cantilevers. Moving up the range brings improvements to the coil wiring (from silver to gold wires) and in the stylus profile - with Ortofon’s famous “Replicant” profile in the series topper Bronze. Both the Quintet and Cadenza series outpt levels of .4 .5 mV are a good match for most amplifier’s Moving Coil Phono Stage.
DESCRIPTION
The Cadenza Red model is using a Nude Fine Line stylus with a cylindrical aluminium cantilever. The stylus tip radius is r/R 8/40 µm.
DESCRIPTION
The Cadenza Blue model is using a Nude FG 70 stylus with a very thin ruby cantilever. The coils are made from 6NX (99.9999 %) pure silver wire. An improved winding process on the armature allows a better channel balance.
DESCRIPTION
The Cadenza Bronze model is using a Replicant 100 stylus and a conical aluminium cantilever. The coil wire is the famous Ortofon Aucurum wire, which is a gold plated 6NX copper wire.
DESCRIPTION
The Cadenza Black model is using a Nude Shibata stylus with a boron cantilever. The effective mass of the stylus/cantilever system is extremely low due to the use of a very thin boron rod. This material is extremely stiff and even more lightweight than aluminium.
DESCRIPTION
The Cadenza Mono model is made with a Nude Fine Line stylus and a cylindrical aluminium cantilever. The stylus radius is r/R 8/40 µm.
The coils are made from 6NX (99.9999 %) pure silver wire. An improved winding process on the armature allows a better channel balance.
The SPU
The original of the species - a legendary cartridge. Note that the most SPUs are integrated cartridge/headshell assemblies compatible with arms which have a removable bayonet fitting headshell.
Features
Respectively Spherical and Elliptical stylus. The SPU #1 E elliptical stylus profile provides more detailed sound reproduction and expansive imaging.
High Purity Copper armature windings and terminal leads
Grinded wood and resin composite housing
DESCRIPTION
The SPU Classic G MkII is a Moving Coil cartridge with an 18 µm spherical stylus profile.
DESCRIPTION
The SPU Classic GE MkII is a Moving Coil cartridge with an elliptical stylus profile. The SPU Classic series embodies the essence of the original Moving Coils and are a perfect solution for the playback of both early and modern and contemporary stereo recordings.
DESCRIPTION
The cartridge has been outfitted with high purity multi-conductor 6–nines Silver wire (of a purity of 99,9999 %) for a more open and revealing high end presentation.
DESCRIPTION
The SPU Synergy features a wood-based housing and has a revised generator system which allows for a maximum output of 0.5 mV, relaxing the requirement for high gain transformer or active preamplification systems.
DESCRIPTION
The SPU Royal G 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.
DESCRIPTION
The SPU Mono GM MkII is a high output Moving Coil cartridge a with a spherical stylus profile, for the playback of early 25µm mono recordings.
DESCRIPTION
The Mono CG 25 Di MkII is an SPU-style Moving Coil cartridge with a spherical stylus profile, for the playback of early 25 µm mono recordings. The CG 25 Di MkII provides an authentic method of playing back these early vinyl recordings with a remarkable level of sonic accuracy.
DESCRIPTION
The Mono CG 65 Di MkII is an SPU-style Moving Coil cartridge with a spherical stylus profile. The CG 65 Di MkII provides an authentic method of playing back these early recordings with a remarkable level of sonic accuracy, regardless of the materials used to manufacture these discs.
DESCRIPTION
The SPU Classic N is sold without the integrated headshell unit. The SPU Classic N is a Moving Coil (MC) cartridge with an 18µm spherical stylus profile.
DESCRIPTION
The SPU Classic NE is sold without the integrated headshell unit. The SPU Classic NE is a Moving Coil (MC) cartridge with an elliptical stylus profile and provides more detailed sound reproduction and expansive imaging.
DESCRIPTION
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.
DESCRIPTION
A perfect combination of Japanese and Danish craftsmanship and technique, the SPU Wood A is beautiful in finish and form, as well as in its sonic expression.
Exclusive Series
For the true audiophile, the Windfeld and Anna cartridges feature bodies made from selective laser melted (SLM) titanium, a material which is light, extremely rigid and with good damping. With a rigid boron cantilever in the Windfeld and diamond in the anna, these are the very best cartridges that Ortofon can make and among the very best in the world. Note that these cartridges’ 0.2V output requires a quality phono preamp. We are happy to advise.
The MC Verismo has been developed based on our extensive knowledge of vibration properties, different shapes and materials characteristics, as well as competences in magnetism, mechanical design and technologies. The MC Verismo will undoubtedly provide sound which simply has to be experienced.
DESCRIPTION
Our extensive knowledge of vibration properties, characteristics in different shapes and materials, competences in magnetism, mechanical design and new technologies has been applied for optimization of the MC Windfeld model. The MC Windfeld Ti has gone to the next level by reducing unwanted vibrations and increasing the dynamic capability of the cartridge.
DESCRIPTION
The MC A Mono is a TRUE MONO cartridge for play-back of MONO recordings.
Features
The cutting edge SLM materials technology pioneered by the MC A90 and SPU 90th Anniversary
Modification of the generator system introduced with the MC A90 and the MC Windfeld
Ortofon design tradition
DESCRIPTION
The MC Anna Diamond model represents the highest echelon of Moving Coil cartridges.
As its name suggests, the MC Anna Diamond uses a Diamond cantilever that in combination with Ortofon Replicant 100 diamond offers extreme transparency, speed and responsiveness beyond that of any other combination.
With the 2M Premounted, it’s never been easier to experience
The 2M Premounted is a practical and elegant solution for our customers who wish direct and easy mounting and replacement on their S-shaped tonearm. The quality of the SH-4 headshell is sturdy and rigid, yet the design emphasizes a slim and delicate form factor. The strong, lightweight headshell has an ergonomic design with a long finger lift that is easy to pick up.