Ortofon AS-309R Tonearm
In stock
Available - Usually ships within 2-3 days
Features
| Brand Color | None |
|---|---|
| Warranty The length of time your product is protected by warranty | 2 Years |
| Product Type | Other |
Tech Specs
- Cartridge weight - 18 to 26 g./26 to 38 g. (standard weight, including shell/heavy weight, including shell)
- Mounting distance - 311 mm
- Effective length - 323,5 mm
- Overhang - 12.5mm
- Offset angle - 16.75
- Arm shaft diameter - 18 mm
- Recommended arm shaft hole diameter - 22mm
- Tonearm weight - 680g/730 g. standard weight/heavy weight
- Height above mounting surface - 59 – 79 mm (up to top of the tonearm)
- Counterweight radial clearance - 85 mm for standard weight; 93mm for heavy weight (measured from pivot point)
- Distance from the mounting surface to the top of the platter - 20 – 48 mm
- Effective arm mass - 11 g
Description
The Ortofon AS-309R tonearm is one of a pair of precision-crafted tonearms that are amongst the best available. There are two versions a 9” and a 12”, this is the 12” version. Every part has been upgraded and optimized to minimize unwanted vibration and distortion.
Consequently, the sound is crisp, clear, and accurate. The all-metal parts are durable and designed for a long life. Additionally, setup is easy as cables and a mounting base are included. Finally, the universal headshell can be used with standard cartridges as well as the Ortofon SPU range.
Advanced engineering and a Precision build
The Japanese-made Ortofon AS-309R tonearm features over 130 redesigned components. In Japan, there is a tradition of precision builds and advanced engineering. Skilled craftsmen assemble, adjust, and test the tonearms at every stage. Notably, the Ortofon AS-309R tonearm uses all metal parts and a top-quality bearing ensures accurate tracking. Lastly, the universal headshell can be used for both standard cartridges and the SPU range.
Maximum flexibility
The two different lengths of arms available ensure that they can be used with any type of turntable. The Ortofon AS-309R is the 12” version. The height of the arm can be adjusted to match and cartridge depth. Moreover, there are also two different counterweights. Lastly, the universal headshell allows cartridges to be changed easily. A quality tonearm cable is also provided.
Setting up a tonearm
The Ortofon AS-309R tonearm comes with everything you need for installation. This includes the mounting base that attaches the arm to the plinth, as well as a quality interconnect cable. The connection is a standard 5-pol DIN type. The arm is very accurately built to avoid tracking errors. Moreover, two counterweights are provided, a light and heavy type. As a result, most cartridges can be accommodated. There is also a height and anti-skate adjustment.
Cartridge types
Nowadays cartridges come in two types. The Ortofon AS-309R tonearm can take both. Moving magnet and moving coil types are available. Additionally, Ortofon was a pioneer in developing moving coil cartridges, with the SPU system, in 1960. More on this later.
Moving magnet cartridges are the most common and have a small magnet mounted on the end of the cantilever that holds the stylus. The magnet moves inside two coils that generate the audio signal. The output is relatively high at around 5mV with an impedance of 47K.
On the other hand, moving coil cartridges have the coils mounted on the cantilever with a fixed magnet. This creates a lower mass assembly that improves tracking at high frequencies. However, the output is lower, sometimes below 1mV, and the impedances vary between brands. As a result, high-quality phono preamps will have variable gain and impedance settings.
The Ortofon SPU cartridge
Around 1958 stereo records came out. At this time Ortofon began development of the the Stereo PickUp (SPU) range of cartridges. The SPU range was released in 1960 and has been in production ever since. They can be plugged into a universal headshell connector as fitted to the Ortofon AS-309R tonearm. Moreover, the moving coil design has several innovations that are still in use in modern cartridges.