New TOTL MC Cartridge from Ortofon...The MC Vertex

I've known for a very long time that Ortofon have a sister Company that produces rubber-based compounds used in the medical industry. Especially for parts used in designs to improve hearing.

It is now good to see they are declaring in their marketing their having such an invaluable support in rubber technology.

When the Verismo came out, Ortofon, for a period of time, referenced a state of the art damper was produced for the Verismo. Now five years after the Verismo the Vertex is now with the most relevant cutting-edge damper technology, which is very exciting. I don't know of any other Cartridge producer able to improve damper materials as Ortofon does; I suggest they are generations behind in their advancement.

I really like Ortofon's with Silver Coils, and also like the selected method for attaching the styli to the Cantilever.

Here is something that might be off interest. I have had a Otrofon Silver Coil Cartridge produced in the very early 20's, where 20 years+ later, it was overhauled and as part of the overhaul, had a Damper compound used that belongs to a TOTR Ortofon model from the 2020 era of production. 

The overhauled Cart' was compared to the standard model and another Ortofon TOTR Model available from the 2010 production era. 

The outcome being my Cartridge, not my words but of others present during comparisons, has been stated as being vastly improved over the original model and bettering the TOTR model.

The same overhauled Cart' also was compared on a different occasion to a DS Audio Grand Master, at an event where there were a lot of attendees, inclusive of audio producing company directors, a high-end audio retailer, an audio media journalist 'David Price' and some very die-hard audio enthusiasts.

At the event, the audio system in use was approx' £200K, and the overall majority of the attendees were quite vociferous in stating my Cartridge was the better cartridge to listen to.  

I would love to do similar with my Cart, the Verismo and Vertex, but knowing I am to be the lesser of the attraction that is to be produced. 

I really do have a soft spot for Ortofon's, especially with Silver Coils and am endlessly curious about the influence of the Ortofon Damper designs on a produced end sound.  

Audio Technica has a brand new cartridge competing in the same setor of the market. Coincidentally with a diamond cantilever:

www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at-mcd1

Some insight from the designer:

www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/turntables/meet-the-man-behind-audio-technicas-new-gbp9999-turntable-cartridge

For the mere mortals without stupid amounts of disposable income to spread around on being entertained, the $1.00- $ 3.00 per-album replay will need to remain the aspiration.

For a more limited number, the $11.00 - $17.00 per-album replay will be their aspiration; that is what is required when talking TOTR from established Brands.

I recollect info was supplied on the Gon not too far back, making it known a commonly available Diamond Cantilever/Stylus is a $2.5K-ish purchase, as the part only.

@pindac The Kontrapunkt?

It is with a Blue infill between the side walls, which is evidence that it was once a Kb.

For me, the Cartridge mustn't be referred to as a Kb', as this is misleading, and the improved performance referred to is a result of many changes to the design in use. The designer for my Cart', informed me very comprehensibly in advance, that the Cart' to be received will not represent a Kb any longer; it will be quite different in how it presents.   

There is a mod to the Cart's body; a WRD is used that is the same as a TOTR Ortofon cart' from the period of producing the rebuild, which is WRD in use just before and after the 20's. Additionally, a Beryllium Cantilever with Ogura Vital + Stylus is attached.

Recently, a version of a FSE design has been produced by a friend that as a design is now fit for purpose to be used on Ortofon Cart's of all production era's, leading on from the MC Jubilee, so near the Millennium.

The designer /builder for my Cart' is being approached to see if they will undertake the attaching the alternate design of the FSE part task, which is not yet confirmed.

Research on a batch of acquired Carts from 2000 until 2015, including a selection having been modified. Strongly suggests the FSE as an inclusive part in a cartridge assembly is crucial for producing the end sound from an Ortofon Cart' that has the most attractive properties. Especially when it comes to not smearing the end sound, and enabling the 'attack', 'micro detail', 'detail', 'dynamics' and 'envelope' to be most defined in a produced end sound.

It is also proven that the alternate FSE design can be attached to certain other Cart models not produced by Ortofon. It is yet to be proven, but strongly suspected that adding the alternate FSE part will elevate the Carts' that are compatible to a new performance level.

Improving the interface with the magnetic field on the MC cartridge has been a design consideration for a very long period. Dynavector's Dr Noboru Tominarin has patents in place from the 80's and was responsible for Carts produced in the early 80's which were with improved interface with the magnetic field. 

Ortofon adopted the use of a design to improve the interface with the magnetic field in 2009, being the FSE.

The individual who built my Cart', is a design team member for the Ortofon Windfeld and was with Ortofon when the FSE was first introduced as a new part added to their marketed products.