Recommend which SPU?

@dhcod well, It’s two different cartridges. The SPU Royal GM model was released in 1998 to celebrate the Ortofon 80 year anniversary, the Royal G is MK 2 version of that cartridge. There was also a universal Royal N model (without SPU headshell).

As you can see my sample is Royal G MKII as stamped on the warranty card with serial number (not the earlier Royal GM version). Even the boxes are different, the G MKII is an improved version, this particular sample made for high demanding Japanese market, there are so many followers of the SPU in Japan.

Visually the earlier SPU Royal GM version is frosted (loow at headshell).

While the improved later version called Ortofon SPU Royal G MK2 is luxury gloss lacquer body!
This MK2 version is much more expensive, official Ortofon’s retail was 2200 Euro when it was released, they goes for $2600 (if the cartridge is unused) nowadays.

You can find both (an old GM and improved G MKII) on ebay to compare design and prices.

@chakster , I think dhcod might have been speaking to the dissimilarity of the names, yours and mine: the Royal G MkII v. Royal GM MkII. I’m guessing they are identical, perhaps with the "G" marketed in Japan, but I could be wrong.

Here’s the one I have:

https://www.ortofon.com/spu-royal-gm-mkii-p-459-n-1579

There is no Royal GM MKII cartridge, only Royal GM or Royal G MKII
I’m just trying to be correct with actual models

1) Royal GM (1998) https://www.ebay.com/itm/263279889753
(frosted headshell finish)

2) Royal G MKII https://www.ebay.com/itm/282738766094
(glossy lacquer headshell finish)

3) Royal G MKII (Japan Only) https://www.ebay.com/itm/332453173508
(luxury lacquer headshel finish)

@wrm57 they are looks different, MKII version is another cartridge (no matter european of japanese box) compared to the first version from 1998

Now when we can see the actual pictures it seems like there is a mistake in the article on Ortofon site about those old models. The picture on the Ortofon website is definitely not the Royal G MKII, but the first version aka Royal GM (froasted finish of the headshell). 

@chakster , Right, but I’m talking about the Royal GM MkII, NOT the Royal GM. Please look at the link I supplied above and tell me if that SPU is different from the one you’re talking about. Based on the following specs, I'd say they are the same.

Here are the specs of the Royal G Mkii (from your ebay link):
Output voltage: 0.2 mV
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz + 1.5 / - 0 dB
Diamond needle: Nude ortofon Replicant 100
Cantilever: Aluminum
Proper needle pressure: 3.0 g
Weight: 30 g

Now the Royal GM Mkii (from my Ortofon link):
Output voltage: 0.2 mV
Frequency response - 20-20.000 Hz + 1.5/- 0 dB
Stylus type - Nude Ortofon Replicant 100
Tracking force, recommended - 3.0 g (30 mN)
Cartridge weight - 30 g
And the cantilever is aluminum.

Right, our MK2 are the same according to specs, the different cart is MK1

BTW Your MK2 has glossy lacquer body?