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| Model: | Ortofon LM-20 |
| Category: | Phono Cartridge |
| Suggested Retail Price: | $Unk |
| Description: | Low-mass High-compliance MM |
| Manufacturer URL: | Ortofon |
| Review by mr.bear on July 31, 2016 at 12:54:27 IP Address: 71.165.209.100 | Add Your Review for the Ortofon LM-20 |
It seems that acceptable phono cartridges fall into 2 basic classes: (1) Fine, highly detailed units for critical listening and (2) Those that sound smooth enough for everyday listening pleasure, the kind one might pass along to a non-audiophile friend. Obviously, the sophisticated audience in the Asylum is primarily focused on Category (1), but there are times a Category (2) cartridge is "good enough."
An older Ortofon LM 20 just landed in the Bearcave with a turntable I purchased, identical to my main rig in every regard except there's a sweet ADC XLMii on the main. I cleaned the LM 20 and looked at it under my microscope; the diamond looked good (but I'm not able to see or comprehend the wear patterns, it's just a check for gross damage). Set the VTF to 1.5gm, A-S correspondingly, and saw the overhang looked about right but haven't applied the alignment protractor as yet. VTA looks same as the main rig with the arm dead level.
The LM 20 has a very high voltage output, so adjust accordingly. Sound is smooth and pretty well balanced, a little bit "dull" compared to the ADC but I expect that may be due to a long period of acclimation to the ADC sound which may be a little "shimmery" (upper midrange emphasis that works in my system). I won't bore you with a list of records I used for evaluating but it was a range of vocals and jazz. No listener fatigue from this guy; highs are natural and fluid. Very good stereo separation but overall the image specificity is mediocre and the image lacks depth. The LM 20 does a good job not emphasizing ticks and pops yet presents transients decently.
This is a good sounding cartridge for a friend on a budget, although I would hesitate before throwing down 200 bux for a genuine "Stylus 20" replacement stylus. There are probably better ways to spend that amount, perhaps on a brand new cart. A recent Denon DD table I set up with an A-T 95Eb sounded very good, very lively and clean, and would leave you some bux for records.
From the excellent "Vinyl Engine" website:
Type: Moving magnet
Output Voltage: 3.5 mV
Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Tracking Force: 1.5 - 2.1g
Mass: 2.6g
Channel Separation: 25dB
Channel Balance: 2dB Load
Impedance: 47k ohms
Output Impedance: 600 ohms
Stylus Tip: Fine line
Cantilever: Aluminium
Dynamic Compliance: 20x 10-6cm/Dyne
http://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge_database.php?m=Ortofon&t=any&mod=lm+20&sort=2&Search=Search&sty=&ovlo=&ovhi=&can=&dclo=&dchi=&stid=&masslo=&masshi=¬es=&prlo=&prhi=
| Product Weakness: | Poor image quality, a little dull |
| Product Strengths: | Smoot, warm sounding, not sensitive to surface noise |
| Amplifier: | Adcom 5503 |
| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Threshold Forte 2 |
| Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Sony PS-X55s |
| Speakers: | Thiel CS3 |
| Cables/Interconnects: | Various homemade Canare |
| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Various |
| Room Size (LxWxH): | 20 x 30 x 10 |
| Room Comments/Treatments: | Lively |
| Time Period/Length of Audition: | 6 weeks |
| Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
Suggest you post a followup review after using the cartridge for 20-25hrs. Suspension may need to loosen after a long period of inactivity. I would also check alignment, tracking angle, VTA and antiskate due to your feeling that the cartridge lacks image specificity and soundstage depth.
Good Luck.
I suspect the ADC to be the better of the 2
This might get a more appreciative audience if posted in the Vinyl forum.
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