The Ortofon SPU cartridges are very unique, in an old school way, in both design and sound. These cartridges are best used with tonearms of specific geometry and mass (compliance). If you are using an SPU-friendly tonearm you don't need a setup protractor because the overhang is fixed, and is slightly different for different SPU cartridges. All you need to adjust for is VTA (20° for most models) and azimuth.
If you are using a tonearm that isn't the right length for an SPU cartridge you can always use a "nude" SPU with standard 1/2" mounting. There are three models, corresponding to the SPU GM MkII, the GM E MkII and the Royal GM MkII. The nuded cartridges are very good but to my ears have a little less of the SPU sound than the models with integrated headshell.
Much of my personal record collection is late 50s to mid 60s jazz, classical and other recordings, in both mono and stereo. I think that the SPUs are the perfect match for these recordings, especially so for original mono LPs and late (~ post 1936) 78 recordings. But I have to add that most of my 70s rock collection sounds great on the SPU Meister Silver GM MkII.
*Disclaimer* I am an Ortofon dealer.
If you are using a tonearm that isn't the right length for an SPU cartridge you can always use a "nude" SPU with standard 1/2" mounting. There are three models, corresponding to the SPU GM MkII, the GM E MkII and the Royal GM MkII. The nuded cartridges are very good but to my ears have a little less of the SPU sound than the models with integrated headshell.
Much of my personal record collection is late 50s to mid 60s jazz, classical and other recordings, in both mono and stereo. I think that the SPUs are the perfect match for these recordings, especially so for original mono LPs and late (~ post 1936) 78 recordings. But I have to add that most of my 70s rock collection sounds great on the SPU Meister Silver GM MkII.
*Disclaimer* I am an Ortofon dealer.