Ortofon SPU Synergy

You will get the most "origninal" SPU sound with the SPU classic (with conical not elliptical diamond).

I have the classic but with elliptical stylus so I cant report on how the conical stylus sounds...but compared to my classic the synergy is not too far away rom the basic direction just more refined in every way with better resolution. But I guess the classic with conical stylus will have its own charme.

How much tracking force do you use? Do you use a step up transformer?

The Synergy is my favourite cartridge at the moment, even before my Kiseki Goldspot, Shelter 501 and Koetsu Rosewood. I think the SPU (also my SPU classic GME) are more able to grip you and make you forget about hifi, than a lot of other cartridges (e.g. most of the Benz, I had).

"I was just looking at it...I use SPU GE and SPU Reference Gold. Both super cartridges! How does it compare to the GE?"

The Synergy's basic sound has(fortunately) all the SPU atributes, it keeps the same rythmic goherency and concentration on the ebb and flow of music but it sound much more grainless and better focused, also more vivid and lively than it's cheaper sibling. I like it a lot.

Hey David,

I have the same plans for the near future...getting a TD124 with a 12" arm, but I now have a 3012R on my Nouvelle Platine Verdier wich should be replace by a EMT 12" therefore the SME should be mounted on the TD124.

For the beginning a SPU classic will do a good job and it's a timeless classic, which makes you forget about hifi. Once I heard a set up of TD124, SPU classic, 3009 and Croft tube electronics on Harbeth speakes at the AAA-Forum (a exhibition mainly for vinyl playback) an this was the very best sound on show, even compared to "all out" installations costing significant more.

One thing to take into account is the right phono amplification, step up transformer. I use the Auditorium23 Hommage T1 and Audio Note Japan AN-S6c and tried a lot of others. The difference are not subtle. It needs a good matching trqansformer to really make the SPU "sing" On my former Gryphon Orestes phonostage I never liked the SPU classic as much as with a good step up over my Paragon 12a tube preamp.

Best regards

Ron

This would be interesting to know for me too.

There is the shorter A headshell (especially for arms having the dedicated geometry such as Ortofon 309 or some models from EMT, the A shell is out of production but limited reissued for Japan) and the longer G headshell wich fits (at least from the size) to every regular tone arm 9" to 12".

The old classic SME 3012 is highly recommended for use with SPU G it is a synergetic combination. I have/had several arms and preferred the 3012 with a SPU G (classic or now Synergy) over all Kuzma arms I had (stogiS, stogi, stogi reference). But it has to be modified (bronze edge bearing, new inner cabling) as well as carefully set up to reach the possible level. also the synergy with my Nouvelle Platine Verdier might be a reason that I like this arm so much. Personally I do not like the adapter for use with A shell. i would stick with a G shell since Ortofon stopped to make the A shell and if you go for a A compatible arm you might have problems to find SPU A in the future.

The actual Ortofon arms are shown mostly with a long "G" shell or a regular headshell attached. if you have a adjustable arm base and therefore can vary the distance between spindle and bearing center it might also be possible to use a shorter "A" shell in these arms. In Japan there is also the older model 309i available wich is made for use with the A shell....but also here it might be possible to use a longer G shell if you have a adjustable arm base.

by the way some people value dynamic balanced arms higher than static ones...but I dont know since I didnt had dynamic balanced armes so far...will test the EMT 997 soon.

the synergy I have is a G shell but in Japan it is also available as limited edition A shell...

if theres a G in the name its the long streamlined G shell...

Yes the spherical stylus Is what I meant...its the simpelst stylus in the SPU range...therefore I would go for the classic GM MKII...the MKII just means the systems have a body made of grinded wood instead of the metal body of the version before.

I see one major advantage of the A...it might be easier to align this body shape than the G shell, since the G shell is very curved.

If you want to align you have to move the arm...if this is not possible theres no way to align the cartridge, the distance needle tip - bayonet is set...the system itself is mounted with screws in its outer body where it might be possible to turn the system in one way or another, but I would refuse to touch this joint.

The SPU G has a "stream lined" body which makes alignment, VTA...less easy than a regular cartridge with rectangular body shape. For instance, it is harder to tell if the body of the SPU G is parallel with the lines one the alignment tool than with a Denon DL103