Ortofon SPU GE

[petrat]

I believe that this dates from the late 80s or early 90s, and is in good condition.
It plays well and has plenty of life left in it.

For sale: £350 incl postage in UK

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/HiFi%20sales%20-April%2015/SPU%20015_zpsk7z9hlw5.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/HiFi%20sales%20-April%2015/SPU%20015_zpsk7z9hlw5.jpg.html)

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/HiFi%20sales%20-April%2015/SPU%20014_zpsmvyqctbj.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/HiFi%20sales%20-April%2015/SPU%20014_zpsmvyqctbj.jpg.html)

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/HiFi%20sales%20-April%2015/SPU%20018_zpsg7lm0njq.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/HiFi%20sales%20-April%2015/SPU%20018_zpsg7lm0njq.jpg.html)

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/HiFi%20sales%20-April%2015/SPU%20021_zpskkm2p8jh.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/HiFi%20sales%20-April%2015/SPU%20021_zpskkm2p8jh.jpg.html)

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/HiFi%20sales%20-April%2015/SPU%20020_zpsuc0rnbao.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/HiFi%20sales%20-April%2015/SPU%20020_zpsuc0rnbao.jpg.html)

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/HiFi%20sales%20-April%2015/SPU%20019_zps8jggheiq.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/HiFi%20sales%20-April%2015/SPU%20019_zps8jggheiq.jpg.html)

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/HiFi%20sales%20-April%2015/SPU%20016_zpsjizqbcwk.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/HiFi%20sales%20-April%2015/SPU%20016_zpsjizqbcwk.jpg.html)

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/HiFi%20sales%20-April%2015/SPU%20017_zpsjqhkakqx.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/HiFi%20sales%20-April%2015/SPU%20017_zpsjqhkakqx.jpg.html)

[walpurgis]

Lovely and very tempting. I know what these sound like.

[petrat]

These cartridges are famous for their 'depth of tone', but I was also taken with its liveliness.

Here's what the previous owner wrote ....

This is a vintage (my estimate is later 80s/early 90s) Ortofon SPU GE cartridge - that’s the vintage SPU moving coil cartridge body, in the ‘SME’ fit G-shell, with the elliptical stylus introduced in the 1960s. Unlike the later GME MKII, this is identical to the vintage ones, only made later, so you get the vintage sound without the risk of dried up suspension etc. It looks and sounds fantastic with no rust or paint flaking on the shell

[petrat]

Still available

[Mika K]

Damn. Very tempted but must resist..

[petrat]

Damn. Very tempted but must resist..

Why?

This I can post to Finland, no problem :D

[Marco]

Damn. Very tempted but must resist..

I wouldn't, if I were you, as you'll regret it later. Trust me, these sound superb and are very special indeed. It would work wonderfully well in your system, Mika! :)

Life's too short not to treat yourself....

Marco.

[petrat]

Now withdrawn from sale until further notice.

[petrat]

Still available.

[Barry]

Vade retro Satana! :eyebrows:

[petrat]

Vade infronto, Satana!

[Marco]

Hahahaha....

Marco.

[IslandPink]

I'm trying very hard to ignore this, because I haven't got an arm it would fit right now, and I've got loads of stuff I need to sell before buying anything else. However it is rather nice and I know what SPU's have , and I like it. I do have a long term ambition to have an SPU in the system.

Let me just do a tiny bit of research with a mate of mine who is an SPU expert and has 'known' audio ears, and then I'll PM you with some more comment.

( ps. if anyone wants a recently-retipped Dyna XX-1L, just give me a shout :) )

[The Black Adder]

Hi Mark.

Peter brought this round to mine and it was superb. Very nice sounding. He's a gent and great to deal with too.

[struth]

Nice cart for that kind of money. surprised this has not gone long ago.

[IslandPink]

Looks like it's hitting the sweet spot in terms of type and era. My audio-buddy Jono was positive about it .
Couple of questions -
Is the headshell bakelite ?
Do you have some sort of stylus guard ? ( will be helpful when I have to send it for re-tip )

[petrat]

Looks like it's hitting the sweet spot in terms of type and era. My audio-buddy Jono was positive about it .
Couple of questions -
Is the headshell bakelite ?
Do you have some sort of stylus guard ? ( will be helpful when I have to send it for re-tip )

Hmmm ... good question. I had assumed the headshell was metalic. It is cold to the touch, but maybe that doesn't mean much. It certainly isn't the same material as the modern 'grinded wood' ones I have. Any idea how to tell if it's bakelite?

Yes, there is a full (original) protective guard.

[struth]

See if it melts;)

[Ducatiist]

These cartridges are famous for their 'depth of tone', but I was also taken with its liveliness.

Here's what the previous owner wrote ....

This is a vintage (my estimate is later 80s/early 90s) Ortofon SPU GE cartridge - that’s the vintage SPU moving coil cartridge body, in the ‘SME’ fit G-shell, with the elliptical stylus introduced in the 1960s. Unlike the later GME MKII, this is identical to the vintage ones, only made later, so you get the vintage sound without the risk of dried up suspension etc. It looks and sounds fantastic with NO RUST OR PAINT FLAKING ON THE SHELL

Looking at the above quote from the previous owner, it looks like it should be metal (i.e. no rust)
It looks like metal from the photos too...but I'm certainly no expert.

[British high fidelity]

Check this Website out might help clarify

http://www.adventuresinhifiaudio.com/22/06/2010/a-short-history-of-ortofon-pick-up-cartridges/

[petrat]

See if it melts;)

As opposed to bursting into flames? :D

Thanks, Stu .. yes, looks like metal. My 'theory' is the reason it doesn't have a bottom base-plate is that the metal ones didn't need any extra weight to meet the standard of 32 grams ... whereas some with lighter headshells (bakelite?) needed the extra weight of a base-plate. But, I could well be wrong :scratch:

[British high fidelity]

As opposed to bursting into flames? :D

Thanks, Stu .. yes, looks like metal. My 'theory' is the reason it doesn't have a bottom base-plate is that the metal ones didn't need any extra weight to meet the standard of 32 grams ... whereas some with lighter headshells (bakelite?) needed the extra weight of a base-plate. But, I could well be wrong :scratch:
Apparently some of these cartridges had mini transformers in them, I may be mistaken but the bottom guard was probably only on the transformer bodied carts to protect it, may be wrong though

[petrat]

Check this Website out might help clarify

http://www.adventuresinhifiaudio.com/22/06/2010/a-short-history-of-ortofon-pick-up-cartridges/

Yes, looks like the picture of the GE on that site, but no bottom base-plate. Just weighed it and it is spot on 32 grams.

[Barry]

As opposed to bursting into flames? :D

Thanks, Stu .. yes, looks like metal. My 'theory' is the reason it doesn't have a bottom base-plate is that the metal ones didn't need any extra weight to meet the standard of 32 grams ... whereas some with lighter headshells (bakelite?) needed the extra weight of a base-plate. But, I could well be wrong :scratch:

The original SPUGT(E) (with internal transformer) weighed 32g and subsequent versions without the transformer have/had a brass weight fitted under the generator to maintain the mass.

[struth]

A hot pin on inside of headshell somewhere inconspicuous and if it starts to make a mark it aint metal.. Didnt mean stick it in the fire lol

Lovely thing...whats the total weight anyways?

[petrat]

After some super-sleuth detective work by a kind mod ... here's the Japanese ad that the last owner bought it from ... with some better pics:

http://www.hifido.co.jp/KWGE/G0308/J/310-10/C15-88613-54893-00/

Neither he, nor I have put many hours on it since ... both having far too many cartridges and not enough listening time :rolleyes:

[Marco]

The original SPUGT(E) (with internal transformer) weighed 32g and subsequent versions without the transformer have/had a brass weight fitted under the generator to maintain the mass.

Yes, as an owner of an SPU G/T (and user of various SPUs, over a number of years), I can confirm that :)

Marco.

[IslandPink]

Thanks for digging out more info :
"Firm thickness and sound is attractive with a core . Enjoy a thick sound -conditioned SPU unique the edge . Appearance is dull in the shell , but is seen rust float , the cantilever is straight and stylus is firmly pointed . Serial 512,344 ( US Island Satoshi )
Key Specifications:
G shell ellipse needle MC type output 0.2mV stylus pressure 3 ~ 4.5g internal impedance 2Ω own weight 31g
Maintenance information :
2015.6.26 confirmed operation
Accessories: original box , needle cover"
I always like a cartridge where the stylus is firmly pointed :)

Well , I haven't got feedback yet from my 'guru' on the difference between the sound of the metal-shell and the bakelite shell , but he has three bakelite shells himself, and it would be churlish to pass up a good opportunity like this. There was a glimpse I had ( maybe a mirage ? ) of a slightly lower price , a few days ago on the thread, but I'll discuss that with you via PM ....

Let's say there'll be a deal !

[petrat]

SOLD

[IslandPink]

Yup :) feeling a warm glow coming over me.
As I said to Peter, though , it could easily be a year before I clear the decks and buy a tonearm that'll take it, to get it playing ! - but basically this is ticking off another item on my 'final system list' .

Meanwhile , I did a double-take when idly checking EBay for SPU stuff this evening :
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ortofon-SPU-G-MC-Cartridge-complete-with-Headshell-for-Tonearm-/262282506413?hash=item3d114170ad:g:lp4AAOSw~OVWuWO 8
As he says "Stylus straight look in excellent sharp" , and the pic to back it up :)
More money though ....

[The Black Adder]

Well done... it's a smashing buy. :)

[IslandPink]

Sure nuff ( n yes I do ) :)

I first heard an SPU courtesy of Nick Besley who brought a great Shindo-based system to Manchester for one of the shows at the Radisson.
It had the Shindo 301, cherry plinth, Shindo ( ~ Ortofon) arm and his modified SPU-A . I think the pre-amp was a Shindo one, the amp was some sort of 211 SE , and Art Audio floorstanders. That system made every record sound different and great, such a difficult thing to achieve in audio. Strong tonal colour was one fo the key features.

[RobbieGong]

Sure nuff ( n yes I do ) :)

I first heard an SPU courtesy of Nick Besley who brought a great Shindo-based system to Manchester for one of the shows at the Radisson.
It had the Shindo 301, cherry plinth, Shindo ( ~ Ortofon) arm and his modified SPU-A . I think the pre-amp was a Shindo one, the amp was some sort of 211 SE , and Art Audio floorstanders. That system made every record sound different and great, such a difficult thing to achieve in audio. Strong tonal colour was one fo the key features.

Absolutely Mark, That's exactly what happens with a good system and a good cartridge, particularly Ortofon in my experience. Why would every record sound the same :scratch: The whole game changes once you've had that experience ;) Ortofon IME are true to their Mission statement 'Accuracy in Sound' which they clearly set out to achieve and is the aim from the offset - research, design, production, that's for sure :)