The Synergy A represents the final run of Ortofon's A-style pickup heads. It has an elliptical stylus tip and a body made from Ortofon's recently developed wood-and-resin mix. Recommended tracking force is 2.5-3.5gm and output ids rated at 0.5mV. Compared to Ortofon's SPU Classic A, the synergy A was more extended in the bass and treble, with a better sense of scale. "$1850 for any cartridge this good would be reasonable; for the last of a historic breed, the SPU synergy A is a bargain" said Art, but notes that this pickup head is for "special uses only."
A Briefing on Ortofon's SPU Cartridges Ortofon’s SPU cartridges continue the tradition of the first ever Moving Coil cartridges as originally engineered by Mr. Robert Gudmandsen and produced by Ortofon in the late 1950s. Praised for their refined linearity and full body, these cartridges have remained a favorite throughout the years, both for modern and vintage high-end applications. The latest incarnation of SPU cartridges feature a wood-based integrated headshell to further reduce resonance and provide an authentic and attractive aesthetic.
Details on the Ortofon Syngery A The SPU Synergy A modernizes the classic SPU design with a number of optimizations designed for ideal tonearm compatibility and sonic purity. The SPU Synergy A features a wood-based housing and has a revised generator system which allows for a maximum output of 500µV, relaxing the requirement for high gain transformers or active preamplification systems. While still making use of a highly polished nude elliptical stylus, the stylus tip mass has been reduced significantly, resulting in reduced VTF and higher tracking ability. The SPU Synergy A offers all of the sonic capabilities of the legendary SPU Synergy GM, but in a short-shell format for use with a variety of tonearms which require a cartridge with a shorter overhang.
Ortofon Synergy A Technical Data
Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec: 500µV
Channel balance at 1kHz: < 1.5dB
Channel separation at 1kHz: > 23dB
Channel separation at 15kHz: > 15dB
Frequency range at -3dB: 20-30.000Hz
Frequency response FIM distortion at recommended: 20-20.000Hz ± 2dB
Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force: 70µm
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