Please help ID unknown Ortofon cartridge

[Rodeodave]

Hi, along with my recently purchased SME 3009 II Improved tonearm I received an unknown Ortofon cartridge.

The cartridge is of a matte golden color, has an 1/2-inch mount and is void of any model/type numbers. The stylus mounting hole is circular. My research suggests it may be a VMS 30 cart, but I'm not sure.

Maybe someone can ID the cart from the pics? Any info on what stylus to get for the cart? From what I've gathered it may be well worth running this cart.

 

[martinab2]

Looks like something from the VMS range or maybe an FF15E. I think the bodies were the same for them all with the styli accounting for cost and quality differences. I used an FF15E on my Garrard AP75 about 35 years ago because it was cheap. Sound was rather bright and harsh from what I remember. The VMS20 and 30 were a bit nicer.

Whether it would be worthwhile reinstating an 80s cartridge I'm not sure.

 

[kevinkr]

I was thinking VMS series as well. Could also be something else.

 

[markinuk]

Or it might be an M20 model: M20E or M20FL, they were gold-bodied, I think. The VMS20E I had was silver (nickel-plated I imagine).

An M20FL stylus actually worked in that VMS body. Whether it would have been better in the correct one I couldn't say.

HTH

Mark

 

[Zen Mod]

try removing the sticker

 

[anatech]

Of course, you could always contact Ortofon and ask them. They are still in business.

I have an Ortofon VMS-20E MKII and 30E MKII. They are well worth using in spite of their age. You can get replacement stylii for them, so why wouldn't you?

I also have a brand new 540 to put into use. I can tell you if it blows away the 30E or not. For it to not be worth using, the 540 would have to destroy it for sound quality.

-Chris

 

[Rodeodave]

Thanks for all the input! I had removed the sticker earlier, it was rather inconclusive. See attached pic...

I'd like to gift the cart to a friend of mine who's getting into vinyl, with a reasonably priced elliptical stylus this might just do the trick.

 

[DF96]

I'm fairly certain it is not a VMS series. I have a VMS20E. The colour looks wrong, and the stylus mounting too.

Why not send your pictures to Ortofon and ask them?

 

[968driver]

Maybe Ortofon made for Dual?

 

[anatech]

Hi DF96,

The colour looks wrong, and the stylus mounting too.

That is certain, but I didn't notice the stylus mounting guide pin hole. I've sent messages to Ortofon before and had them answered each time.

-Chris

 

[directdriver]

it might be an M20 model: M20E or M20FL, they were gold-bodied, I think. The VMS20E I had was silver (nickel-plated I imagine).

I agree. It's definitely the M series. Probably an M20 or M15, depends on the stylus.

 

[DF96]

For some Ortofon ranges the body was identical, just the stylus assembly changed so you could upgrade within the range (or even downgrade!) simply by changing the stylus. I think this was true for VMS, so my VMS20E is actually a VMS body with a 20E stylus. May be true for M too.

 

[anatech]

Hi DF96,
It is true for the VMS line. I had two VMS-20 cartridges and was curious about the VMS-30. So I just installed the VMS-30 stylus and man, what a difference in sound. The specs for the two are very similar, and it turns out the stylus shape makes a huge difference in sound quality.

If you have a VMS-20E MKII that you still use, without a doubt, update it with the VMS-30E MKII stylus when it's time to buy a new one. I typically keep a spare on hand because I hate waiting for shipping.

-Chris

 

[DF96]

I seem to recall reading many years ago that someone had a VMS30E, but put a 10E stylus in when his teenage son has his friends round as that is much more robust and copes with rough handling.

 

[anatech]

Hi,
Yes, that was a popular thing to do back then. I'm going to use the VMS-20E stylus for old records.

-Chris