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Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Ortofon Super OM-10 Phono Cartridge by kh6idf

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REVIEW: Ortofon Super OM-10 Phono Cartridge

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Model: Super OM-10
Category: Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price: $90
Description: moving magnet phono cartridge
Manufacturer URL: Ortofon
Manufacturer URL: Ortofon

Review by kh6idf ( A ) on June 03, 2002 at 20:04:58
IP Address: 65.68.76.71
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for the Super OM-10


This cartridge has a lot going for it. First of all, it sounds great. Musical, warm, good detail & depth - the music really comes alive. It's a whole lot of fun for $90. But it gets better: the (elliptical) stylus is removeable, and a replacement stylus is only $40. There is a removeable stylus guard to protect the stylus when not in use. And best of all, you can upgrade the cartridge to the OM-20, OM-30 or OM-40 by simply purchasing the appropriate replacement stylus - all the cartridge bodies are identical. See mfr's website for a description of the different styli. You can upgrade to a better stylus and keep the original as a backup/spare. Good idea!

It is very small and light weight, and to insure compatibility with most arms it has a weight plate in the upper mounting surface to bring the total weight to 5 grams (weight, not tracking force.) Remove this weight plate to reduce the cartridge weight to 2.5 grams. Even with the weight plate left in, it is still very light weight. My counterweight had to be moved nearly all the way forward to balance it.

Inner detail is not comparable with a better moving coil design, but what detail it does resolve (and it resolves plenty) is very satisfying and musical. I bought this cartridge as an emergency replacement when I snapped the cantilever off my BPS, but it is good enough that I will keep it in the system and try upgrading the stylus. It is very good with the original stylus - I could easily live with it the way it is.

If your turntable is sounding kind of 'thin' and it doesn't really get you involved in the music anymore, try this cartridge out for $90. For me it was a huge improvement. Listening to records is fun again.


Product Weakness: top end not as smooth/silky as a good moving coil.
Product Strengths: Very musical, excellent bass and overall balance.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Linn LK280
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Linn LK1
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Rega Planar 2 (S-shaped arm)
Speakers: Magneplanar SMGc / subwoofer
Cables/Interconnects: Linn (ic) Monster cable (spkr)
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Acoustic, Classical, Reggae
Room Size (LxWxH): 25'' x 12' x 9'
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 days
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Ortofon Super OM-10 Phono Cartridge - kh6idf 20:04:58 06/3/02 ( 3)