Ortofon SPU Synergy GM
Ortofon moving-coil cartridge in the SPU format, bare elliptical diamond and zinc alloy housing, for turntables fitted with an SPU-connector tonearm.
Description
The SPU Synergy GM is a moving-coil (MC) cartridge from Ortofon, heir to the brand's historic SPU format. It is distinguished by its die-cast zinc alloy housing (Diacast Zink Alloy), which integrates directly into the cartridge body in the spirit of the first SPU generations. This format is designed to fit tonearms with a dedicated SPU connector.
The diamond is a bare elliptical type, with a stylus tip radius r/R of 8/18 µm and a tracking angle of 20°. The lateral compliance of 8 µm/mN and the cartridge mass of 30 g define the parameters to be considered when matching with the tonearm's effective mass. The recommended tracking force is 3.0 g, within an acceptable range of 2.5 to 3.5 g.
On the electrical side, the internal impedance of 2 ohms calls for a phono preamplifier or step-up transformer suited to low-impedance moving-coil cartridges, with a recommended load impedance of between 10 and 50 ohms. The output level of 200 mV at 1000 Hz (5 cm/s) and the frequency response of 20 to 20,000 Hz (± 2 dB), extended to 40,000 Hz at -3 dB, come with distortion below 1% at the recommended tracking force and channel separation above 23 dB at 1 kHz.
This cartridge is aimed at turntable enthusiasts equipped with an SPU-compatible tonearm, seeking a low-impedance moving-coil cartridge paired with a suitable phono stage or MC transformer. Its mass of 30 g and compliance of 8 µm/mN direct its use towards tonearms whose effective mass matches these values, a necessary condition for good resonant mechanical matching.
Technical specifications
| Output level | 200 mV (1000 Hz, 5 cm/s) |
| Channel balance | < 1.5 dB (1 kHz) |
| Channel separation | > 23 dB (1 kHz) / > 15 dB (15 kHz) |
| Frequency range | 20 - 40,000 Hz (-3 dB) |
| Frequency response | 20 - 20,000 Hz (± 2 dB) |
| THD | < 1% (DIN 45.542, recommended tracking force) |
| Lateral compliance | 8 µm/mN |
| Stylus type | Bare elliptical |
| Stylus radius | r/R 8/18 µm |
| Tracking force | 2.5 - 3.5 g (25 - 35 mN) |
| Recommended tracking force | 3.0 g (30 mN) |
| Tracking angle | 20° |
| Internal impedance | 2 ohm |
| Recommended load impedance | 10 - 50 ohms |
| Cartridge mass | 30 g |
What to check before buying used
The bare elliptical stylus tip and cantilever deserve a close inspection under magnification: asymmetric wear or a sagging suspension will irreversibly degrade tracking and channel balance. The internal windings, characteristic of an MC cartridge with 2 ohms impedance, are worth checking with an ohmmeter to rule out a break invisible to the eye. The SPU body's contacts, cast into the zinc alloy housing, must remain free of oxidation to ensure a good fit on a dedicated-connector tonearm.
Looking for this reference: SPU Synergy GM ?
Tell us what you are looking for: our merchants are notified, and one of them may have it in stock.