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Ortofon --- A90 or SPU 90th?

Trying to decide between an Ortofon A90 or SPU 90th. They both utilize a lot of the same technologies.

Rest of system is Garrard 301 (grease), Schick 12" G-style Tonearm, Shindo Masseto/Cortese, Devore Nines.

I'm a relative newcomer to vinyl and trying to do it right the first time. I've heard great things about both cartridges but heard neither personally. I've also never heard an SPU in general so not sure what kind of sound characteristic differences i would see between an SPU type and non-SPU type cartridge.

Thoughts?
jcote
jcote OP
100 posts
 
Thanks guys...i'm thinking I'll go with the SPU 90th. In terms of the current SPU's is the 90th still their top or is there a new king of the SPU hill?
salectric
755 posts
 
Is the SPU 90th Anniversary still available? If so, where can you buy it? I thought it had been discontinued.
wrm57
1,061 posts
 
I think you can only get the SPU 90th as an NOS aftermarket purchase, which means without the normal Ortofon warranty. Take a look on eBay. 2juki often sells them. I've bought from him before and he's been dependable.

The top of the current SPU lineup is the Royal GM II. I have one, along with an A90. They both have the Replicant 100 stylus, which makes them a little more closely related, but they still occupy different genres, as others have said. I really enjoy the Royal's unusual combination of SPU-like body and coherency plus excellent detail and sparkle on top, for which most SPUs are not usually noted. Still, the A90 is the better all-around cartridge for soundstage depth and layering, imaging, and the other audiophile characteristics while still being IMO very musical. It is extremely sensitive to all set-up parameters, however, especially VTA, so I don't think the Schick is the best arm for it. The Royal is much less finicky though it still wants VTA changes for different record widths. The SPU 90th, without the Replicant, might be less demanding in this regard, I don't know.
br3098
997 posts
 
Jcote,

Here are the SPU cartridges currently offered by Ortofon and list prices:
- SPU Collector Box Ltd. (inc. 90th Ann.) 13,999.00
- SPU Royal GM MKII 2,199.00
- SPU Synergy A (Ltd) 1,799.00
- SPU Synergy GM 1,799.00
- SPU Meister Silver GM MKII 1,699.00
- SPU Classic GM E MKII 999.00
- SPU Classic GM MKII 949.00
- SPU Mono GM MKII (high output) 849.00
- Mono CG 65 DI MKII (true mono, for 78s) 799.00
- Mono CG 25 DI MKII (true mono) 799.00
- SPU Royal N (1/2" mount) 1,499.00
- SPU Classic N E (1/2" mount) 849.00
- SPU Classic N (1/2" mount) 749.00
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
I have heard the SPU Classic GM E ($999.00) is the closest sounding to Vintage SPU's. I am not saying this is a fact,but I did read that it was at least one persons opinion. I have only heard 2 SPU's, the Shindo, and the Royal N. They were both quite good, which is why I am also interested in SPU's.
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