Historical Product

TM 30H, TM20H
and TM14

When Technics approached Ortofon in 1980 with the proposal to develop a series of cartridges exclusively for use with their new range of compact turntables, we willingly agreed. The Technics SL turntables, with their special lightweight linear tracking tonearms, represented an entirely new concept in design and technology.
It was a challenge hardly to be resisted.

Ortofon set about developing two entirely new magnetic cartridges that could plug directly into the linear tracking arms of this new generation of turntables. The resulting TM 30 H and TM 14 magnetic cartridges set the seal on the Technics/Ortofon joint venture. Later, two new models was added to this special series of cartridges, designed exclusively for Technics: the TM 20 H magnetic cartridge and the Moving Coil TMC 200.

A historical collaboration in cartridge excellence

Pioneering sound innovation

Explore the history of our TM 30 H, TM 20 H, and TM 14 VMS cartridges, including the P-mount models, by downloading our comprehensive product leaflet.

Dive into the story behind these iconic cartridges and discover the innovative collaboration between Ortofon and Technics. Click here to download the products leaflet.

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Technical data

Technical data TMH 30 H TM 20 H TM 14 H TMC 200
Cartridge weight 6 g 6 g 6 g 6 g
Stylus type Fine Line, Nude Fine Line Elliptical Fine Line
Equivalent stylus tip mass 0.35 mg 0.45 mg 0.5 mg 0.5 mg
Frequency response 20-20.000 Hz 20-20.000 Hz 20-20.000 Hz 20-35.000 Hz +/- 2 dB
Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. 3.5 mV 3.5 mV 4.5 mV 0.09 mV
Channel separation at 1 kHz 25 dB 25 dB 25 dB > 25 dB
Channel balance at 1 kHz 1.5 dB 1.5 dB 1.5 dB < 1.5 dB
Compliance, dynamic (lateral) 35 µm/mN 35 µm/mN 30 µm/mN 13/13* µm/mN
*vertical
Tracking force 12.5 mN (1.25 g) 12.5 mN (1.25 g) 12.5 mN (1.25 g) 12.5 mN (1.25 g)
Tracking ability (315Hz, lateral) 90 µm 80 µm 75 µm 70 µm
Tracking angle (vertical) 20° 20° 20° 20°
DC resistance 600 Ohm 600 Ohm 800 Ohm _
Inductance 500 mH 500 mH 750 mH _
Recommended load resistance 47 kOhm 47 kOhm 47 kOhm _
Recommended load capacitance 200 pF 200 pF 200 pF _
Replacement stylus unit Type 30H Type 20 H Type 14 H _
FIM distrotion at recommended tracking force DIN 45.542 _ _ _ < 1%
Internal impedance DC resistance per channel _ _ _ 3 ohm
Load impedance _ _ _ > 10 ohm