Ortofon
Ortofon SPU Classic N MC Cartridge | The Grid HiFi
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Ortofon SPU Classic N MC Cartridge | The Grid HiFi
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Shipping Information
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FAQ’s
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Overview
Ortofon SPU Classic N Moving Coil Phono Cartridge
Nude Spherical stylus. Classic SPU sound. Headshell-free design.
The Ortofon SPU Classic N delivers the traditional SPU listening experience in a cartridge supplied without an integrated headshell. It retains the moving coil generator and Nude Spherical stylus design of the SPU Classic G family while offering an alternative mounting arrangement for compatible tonearms.
Its 18 µm Nude Spherical diamond, high-purity oxygen-free copper coils, and low-impedance generator preserve the SPU's established design. The cartridge produces a 0.2 mV output and uses a recommended tracking force of 4.0 grams.
The Classic N is designed for vintage SPU-type headshells or installation on a conventional headshell using Ortofon's separately available SPU N adapter.
Key Features
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Nude Spherical stylus: 18 µm diamond profile.
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Classic SPU generator: Low-output moving coil design with 0.2 mV output.
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Headshell-free construction: Supplied without the integrated G-style headshell.
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Flexible mounting options: Compatible with appropriate vintage SPU headshells or the SPU N adapter.
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High-purity copper coils: Oxygen-free copper winding material.
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Low internal impedance: 2 Ω, with a recommended 10 Ω load.
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13 g cartridge weight: Excludes the weight of a separate headshell or adapter.
Complete Technical Specifications
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Specification |
Ortofon SPU Classic N |
|---|---|
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Cartridge type |
Moving coil (MC), stereo |
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Mounting configuration |
Headshell-free SPU cartridge |
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Conventional headshell installation |
Requires SPU N adapter |
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Stylus type |
Nude Spherical |
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Stylus tip radius |
R 18 µm |
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Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec |
0.2 mV |
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Channel balance at 1 kHz |
1 dB |
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Channel separation at 1 kHz |
20 dB |
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Channel separation at 15 kHz |
Greater than 10 dB |
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Frequency response, 20 Hz–20 kHz |
±3 dB |
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Tracking ability at 315 Hz |
60 µm |
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Dynamic lateral compliance |
8 µm/mN |
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Tracking force range |
3.0–5.0 g (30–50 mN) |
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Recommended tracking force |
4.0 g (40 mN) |
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Tracking angle |
20° |
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Internal impedance / DC resistance |
2 Ω |
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Recommended load impedance |
10 Ω |
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Coil wire material |
High-purity oxygen-free copper (OFC) |
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Cartridge color |
Matte black |
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Cartridge weight |
13 g |
What Makes the SPU Classic N Different?
The Classic N offers the essential SPU Classic design without the integrated headshell found on the G-series models.
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Feature |
SPU Classic N |
SPU Classic G MkII |
|---|---|---|
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Headshell |
Not included |
Integrated G-style |
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Stylus |
Nude Spherical |
Nude Spherical |
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Stylus radius |
18 µm |
18 µm |
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Output voltage |
0.2 mV |
0.2 mV |
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Recommended tracking force |
4.0 g |
4.0 g |
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Cartridge weight |
13 g |
30 g, including headshell |
Compatibility & Installation
Important: The SPU Classic N does not include a headshell and cannot be mounted directly to a conventional ½-inch headshell without an adapter.
It is intended for compatible vintage SPU-type headshells or use with Ortofon's SPU N adapter, which allows installation on a conventional headshell. Ortofon notes that vintage SPU-type headshells are no longer available new.
The cartridge's low compliance and recommended 4.0 g tracking force make tonearm compatibility important. Its 0.2 mV output also requires a suitable moving coil phono stage or properly matched step-up transformer.
Discover Ortofon at The Grid HiFi. Our Houston team can assist with SPU cartridge selection, mounting compatibility, and moving coil phono stage matching.
FAQs
Please read our FAQs page to find out more.
Do you price match?
Yes. We match any authorised dealer, including big-box retailers. If you find the same product at a lower price, contact us and we'll match it.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes — free shipping on every order, with 2-day delivery available on most products. Easy returns and exchanges are included.
Where is your showroom?
We're at 6362 Alder Drive, Houston, Texas. The showroom lets you hear and compare reference-level systems in person before making any decisions. If you're considering a larger purchase or installation, it's well worth the visit.
Can I buy online without visiting the showroom?
Yes. The full product range is available through the online store with free nationwide shipping. For more complex system builds, speaking with one of our advisers first tends to lead to a better result.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. Special financing is available through the BrandSource Credit Card for qualifying purchases, allowing you to spread payments over time with no annual fee. Promotional rebate savings are also available periodically. See the financing page for full details.
Do you install systems as well as sell equipment?
Yes — installation is central to what we do. We design and install whole-home audio and video, home theaters, media rooms, outdoor audio, lighting and motorised shades, and full smart home automation.
Do you provide support after installation?
Yes. We provide ongoing service and support to ensure systems continue performing as intended — not just on installation day, but over the long term.