The Ortofon SPU 90th Anniversary provides reproduction of sound that is unsurpassed in its neutrality, detail and dynamic range.
Much like Robert Gudmandsen’s revolutionary that which originally brought the SPU cartridges to the market in the 1960s, endless research and conceptual design has been placed into this special anniversary model.
For the first time in history the SPU has been graced with a completely new patent-pending magnetic system, which retains all of the characteristics that put its brethren in a class of their own.
Features
In this cartridge, a one piece body makes the direct connection between the generator system and the wooden housing ensuring both a perfect rigid connection and extremely high internal damping.
A nude elliptical diamond stylus graces the aluminum cantilever, representative of the legacy created by SPUs past, along with a black painted, grinded wood body.
Also adding to the sonic performance of the SPU 90th Anniversary is nothing but the best internal coil wiring, comprised of silver plated ultra high purity (6NX) copper wire, to ensure that each and every movement of the stylus is captured faithfully without loss. The internal terminal wiring is made of ultra high purity (6NX) silver wire, with gold plated terminal connectors.
Microassembly of SPU 90th Anniversary, see the video:
FSE system
Another first is the inclusion of the renowned Field Stabilizing Element (FSE) system, which consists of a small cylinder of conductive material placed strategically inside of the magnetic system. FSE guarantees that the force field within the system will remain stable at all times regardless of the moment of the armature. This technology was first introduced by recently-retired chief engineer Per Windfeld, in his widely acclaimed Kontrapunkt series and in the present top line cartridge, the MC Windfeld. What this means in practical application is that not only will FSE minimize dynamic and intermodulation distortion, but it also will allow for greater dynamics, absolute clarity, and depth of sound for truly awe inspiring sonic performance.
Selective Laser Melting manufacturing technique
The mechanical structure of the SPU 90th Anniversary cartridge has also been re-engineered, as well as many of its internal assemblies. At the mechanical heart lies a revolutionary customized Selective Laser Melting (SLM) manufacturing technique in which micro particles are laser-welded together, layer by layer. This high technology and high precision process eschews traditional techniques to provide high rigidity and a body density resulting in the further reduction of unwanted resonances while still maintaining exacting figures for cartridge mass. SLM manufacturing also enables the consolidation of components to allow for a design devoid of unnecessary material.
