Anyone here know where I can get detailed info on the SPU's? And anyone know of the best sources for buying a new one (needledoctor seems all I can find)? Info out there seems to be just stats from Ortofon and those are vague at best. Are all the stereo SPU's low output MC's (I see the mono versions have 3mv output) or are any of them high output? Is there any advantage to the older ones (other than collectiblity) to the new ones? I'm thinking that the GM would be a nice starter (I do like the conical carts) as the others break my $1k rule on cartridges (it used to be $100 rule once upon a time), but it seems from what I've read to have an output of .2mv and I have no desire to get a step-up phono pre (the phono pre in my Mac handles my 2mv Sumiko BP#2 very well). So..who here has experience with one or some of the SPU's..older and newer, and are they a plug and play with a Thorens 124/SME 3009-II (unimproved)/ McIntosh MA-6200 (c29 phono pre) set-up?

Thanks,

James R.

ortofon invented mc system with the spu :http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/ortodeccatan.html

SPU is one of the cartridges that intrigued me as well. It's been a while since I checked but I think that 2Juki used to deal them. I don't think that your SME3009 is going to be a great match. SPU cartridges are heavy and generally low compliance requiring a heavy arm with heavy counterweight. I ended up deciding that I didn't really like the heavy tracking spec - generally about 3+ grams - so I never went for one. Some people of course, wax poetic about them so who knows I may be missing out on the greatest thing since sliced bread. The lightest one that I know of is the SPU Royal N but it looks the least vintage as well. I have only heard of current LO SPUs but I think some of the vintage ones had higher outputs...but I think they were even heavier because of it. You'd have to do some more checking on that as it's not something that I studied.

I've been wanting to try a warmer cartridge than my main one now - Zyx Airy 3 - and have pretty much settled on either Koetsu or one of the top Grado wood bodies for the next great direction in my audio journey.

Hi,

SPU is low output or medium output. They need somewhat massive arms (think 1950's style arms like Gray, Ortofon, ESL, and similar). Expensive. Nice sounding, good tracking, and favored by European broadcasters. A 1950's era design. Not suitable for an SME as they are geared towards lower mass cartridges.

I have a rek-o-kut 120 tonearm (can't get more 50's than that) that is board mounted and ready to go if that is a good match for an SPU. But the output issue is one that I'm grapeling with ...not to mention the sticker shock!! I have fallen in love with the looks of the Ikeda tonarms, which I know are a SPU match made in heaven, but talk about sticker shock!!!

James R.

Perhaps I should just find an SME bakelite headshell for my 3009, mount my Shure M3-d in it and pretend.

James R.

Hi

Is this the look, you're after:music:

Some years ago I repaired the real deal and a few weeks ago I made a spacer for one. I made many experiments with tracking weight and eventually settled on 3.5g and bias set to 3.

These carts do indeed need a heavy arm but it seems you pay more for the vintage hype than anything else. They do indeed sound nice with a warm sound and wide soundstage but I think a vintage Supex black would be a better deal.

tripod

Very nice set-up :yes:, and I love the period Garrard tonearm...very similar to the one on my Type-A's (yes I have 2...it's a sickness)...but obviously a more dynamic design.

James R.

Hi James

The Garrard TPA12 arm is a recent purchase. The bearings were fine but the wand had a lot of corrosion and had to be extensively reworked and polished. It came fitted with a cream Shure headshell wired mono but I thought brown bakelite would look better. So I had this nos Garrard 3-pin bakelite 'shell here, which I made an extra pin for and removed the turnover ceramic cart which was fitted.

In its place, I fitted a Shure broadcast cart, fitted with a cantilever with a 78profile stylus and slightly stiffer compliance to track my 78's at 3g.

tripod

I had an SPU back in the 70s when I purchased a Thorens TD-124 with an SME 3009 tonearm. It all came as a trade in for one of those new-fangled direct drive tables. I remember the guy went with a Shure V15 to replace it.

This was the SPU model that had the step-up transformers built into the headshell. It was quite heavy but did work directly into a standard RIAA phono preamp. It was fairly easy to remove the transformers, however, but back then there were not nearly the options we have today for alternatives.

For what its worth, I used it with a Mac MX-110 tuner/preamp - remember that this was about 1975 when tube gear was pretty much considered old-school.

Sonically, it was an absolutly wonderful sounding cartridge. It brought the midrange like I'd never heard and the SME arm handled it quite nicely.

Unfortnuately, it was short-lived as the entire setup was stolen during a breakin some 6 months later. I've always wanted another since.

Cheers,

David

I had an SPU back in the 70s when I purchased a Thorens TD-124 with an SME 3009 tonearm. It all came as a trade in for one of those new-fangled direct drive tables. I remember the guy went with a Shure V15 to replace it.

This was the SPU model that had the step-up transformers built into the headshell. It was quite heavy but did work directly into a standard RIAA phono preamp. It was fairly easy to remove the transformers, however, but back then there were not nearly the options we have today for alternatives.

For what its worth, I used it with a Mac MX-110 tuner/preamp - remember that this was about 1975 when tube gear was pretty much considered old-school.

Sonically, it was an absolutly wonderful sounding cartridge. It brought the midrange like I'd never heard and the SME arm handled it quite nicely.

Unfortnuately, it was short-lived as the entire setup was stolen during a breakin some 6 months later. I've always wanted another since.

Cheers,

David


So it did work with my set-up...hmm.. I intentionally searched for the SME 3009-II (unimproved) because I was under the impression that it would track heavier carts. I have 3-4 early Shure carts (M3 and 2 M7's and 1 M7-N21) that all track around 3 grams so that was my intention, but I've only used those carts on the rek-o-kut arm or on my Garrard arm (the Garrard's lightest tracking is 2 grams). I can get the aux rider for the SME to track as heavy as 5 grams whereas the "improved" model won't track heavier than 2.5.

So...I assume that none of the newer models have a step-up transformer. Which older models did? Plus, at this age, I assume most are getting tired. can these be re-tipped (I know they are not user replacable), or are they a one-shot deal?

James R.

So...I assume that none of the newer models have a step-up transformer. Which older models did? Plus, at this age, I assume most are getting tired. can these be re-tipped (I know they are not user replacable), or are they a one-shot deal?

James R.

Built-in transformers are no longer available, they were marketed with the "T" suffix in the late 50s -60s, thus SPU GT or SPU GTE - "E" for elliptical stylus. You might still find them in the used market.

As far as re-tipping, I have no experience but you can inquire from Soundsmith if they can do it. I know that Ortofon offered re-tipping service (not sure if they still do). But it is expensive and a friend who sent a GT got it back w/o the built-in transformers. So if you do get a vintage GT, make sure you are handy enough to remove it for posterity.

The SPU will work in the earlier SME 3009 series II (sliding counterweight) with the additional weight in the outrigger, I've tried it with my 90s SPU GME. Fortunately I was also able to acquire an RMG 309 at that time which is even a better match.

Aside from Ikeda consider the re-introduced Ortofon tonearms from Japan. I have no experience with them but the effective mass should match the SPU.

Hope this helps and happy listening!

Joseph

If you're looking for a reasonably priced arm to go with the SPU, look for an Audio Technica ATP-12T. I was using an SME 3009 series I, and while it sounded really nice, the AT arm sounds absolutely astounding with this cart.

Interestingly enough, the early SPU's specs called for 1-2 gram tracking. The later ones, from the 80s to the present, call for 3-5 grams tracking force. While I've not experienced any ill effect from running my SPU-GME at 4 grams, it sure would be nice to have the same kind of tracking at 2 grams or so.

The SPU line of carts in not for the faint of heart. With its' high tracking force, limited availability of usable arms, it can be difficult to make it work right. BUT...in the right system, (as is with most components) it can be a truly magical device.

jDiamantis