General Asylum: REVIEW: Ortofon Ortofon LM-20 Phono Cartridge by mr.bear

Model:	Ortofon LM-20
Category:	Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price:	$Unk
Description:	Low-mass High-compliance MM
Manufacturer URL:	Ortofon

Review by mr.bear on July 31, 2016 at 12:54:27
IP Address: 71.165.209.100 Add Your Review
for the Ortofon LM-20

It seems that acceptable phono cartridges fall into 2 basic classes: (1) Fine, highly detailed units for critical listening and (2) Those that sound smooth enough for everyday listening pleasure, the kind one might pass along to a non-audiophile friend. Obviously, the sophisticated audience in the Asylum is primarily focused on Category (1), but there are times a Category (2) cartridge is "good enough."

An older Ortofon LM 20 just landed in the Bearcave with a turntable I purchased, identical to my main rig in every regard except there's a sweet ADC XLMii on the main. I cleaned the LM 20 and looked at it under my microscope; the diamond looked good (but I'm not able to see or comprehend the wear patterns, it's just a check for gross damage). Set the VTF to 1.5gm, A-S correspondingly, and saw the overhang looked about right but haven't applied the alignment protractor as yet. VTA looks same as the main rig with the arm dead level.

The LM 20 has a very high voltage output, so adjust accordingly. Sound is smooth and pretty well balanced, a little bit "dull" compared to the ADC but I expect that may be due to a long period of acclimation to the ADC sound which may be a little "shimmery" (upper midrange emphasis that works in my system). I won't bore you with a list of records I used for evaluating but it was a range of vocals and jazz. No listener fatigue from this guy; highs are natural and fluid. Very good stereo separation but overall the image specificity is mediocre and the image lacks depth. The LM 20 does a good job not emphasizing ticks and pops yet presents transients decently.

This is a good sounding cartridge for a friend on a budget, although I would hesitate before throwing down 200 bux for a genuine "Stylus 20" replacement stylus. There are probably better ways to spend that amount, perhaps on a brand new cart. A recent Denon DD table I set up with an A-T 95Eb sounded very good, very lively and clean, and would leave you some bux for records.

From the excellent "Vinyl Engine" website: