Today's Fresh Catch is the history book about Ortofon - Ortofon 100th Anniversary, A Century Of Accuracy In Sound.
A big "Thank you!" to Louis Dorio of Ortofon for sending me a copy to read. 🙂
Ortofon 100th Anniversary, A Century Of Accuracy In Sound
I am both a bibliophile (lover of books) and a history buff. I enjoy reading about history in general, exploring past events, cultures, and figures - I'm reading the literature of the Hellenistic Period lately - and I'm completely fascinated with the history of sound recording and playback technology.
I believe the history of audio recording and playback technology is important for us audio enthusiasts to know about. It helps us to better appreciate the riches of audio technology that we have available to listen to music with today, and to more deeply appreciate Planet Earth's vast recorded music canon, which is a true treasure trove that documents the history of the recording arts, musicians, and musical performances since 1877.
Ortofon is one of the greatest and most historic audio companies on Planet Earth, and as such it is important to document the history of Ortofon, so I'm really pleased Ortofon has documented their own history in the Ortofon 100th Anniversary, A Century Of Accuracy In Sound book.
Ortofon's history goes back to 1918, which is just before what we think of as the start of the electrical era of the recording arts in 1925, when electronic engineers Petersen and Poulsen developed methods for syncing silent films with sound recording.
Here's a brief list of the chapters:
- 1918-1945, Electrical Sound
- 1946-1969, Microgroove, Hi-Fi and Stereo
- 1970-1982, Adventures in Sound
- 1983-1994, Turbulent Times (The Arrival of Digital Sound)
- 1995-2004, The Vinyl Preservation Academy
- 2005-2018, State Of The Art
As you can see, this book is full of great information about the history of Ortofon, the history of cinema & audio and the recording arts, and should be in the library of every audio enthusiast. It's a treasure!
I've just started reading through the material, and I am impressed. You'll be hearing more from me about the Ortofon 100th Anniversary, A Century Of Accuracy In Sound book as I continue to read through it.
Ortofon's history didn't stop in 2018, of course, and their history continues to be written in the audio technology they are developing.
The new Ortofon SPU GTX S moving-coil phonograph cartridge.
One mustn't forget one's roots, so I was particularly interested in the story of how the innovative Ortofon SPU GTX moving-coil phonograph cartridge came about, which combines both the history of the SPU cartridge, as well as the future with the innovative miniature step-up transformer incorporated into its body shell.
I was chatting with Louis Dorio of Ortofon about the long history of the Ortofon SPU product line of phonograph cartridges, and why Ortofon decided to pursue the development of the new Ortofon SPU GTX moving-coil cartridge with its internal step-up transformer.
Original Ortofon SPU Classic GT/GTE advertisement from 1994.
Louis told me about how the new SPU GTX is actually the third generation of the SPU GT product line, whose history goes back to the SPU Classic GT/GTE (1994), and then all the way back to the original SPU GT in 1959:
"The major driving force behind the development of the GTX series was request from the market, especially the Japanese market. It's a big part of our heritage - the original GT came out in 1959 and was discontinued in 1979. The next one was available in 1994 and lasted about 10 years. So the GTX is really a third generation product, and we feel that it's the finest example of that."
The new Ortofon SPU GTX S moving-coil phonograph cartridge.
I've been really enjoying listening to the new Ortofon SPU GTX S in my vintage inspired office audio system, and it has been impressing the heck out of me.
The new Ortofon SPU GTX S on my vintage Thorens TD-124 turntable.
The new Ortofon SPU GTX S gets the music right, playing back LPs with all the beauty, life, and drama that they most abundantly possess.
I'm about halfway through the 30 hour bedding-in playing time for the Ortofon SPU GTX S, and I must confess, even early on into my listening, I am smitten by its performance in this audio system.
Stay tuned and I'll continue to keep you updated on the new Ortofon SPU GTX S as I get more playing time in on it, but I can tell you already, this is one of those must-have cartridges for your SPU collection.
The new Ortofon SPU GTX S is sounding so good in my vintage inspired office audio system, playing music through Leopold Stokowski's personal Altec loudspeakers from way back when, that I am just enjoying stopping and absorbing the sound of music as it is flowing over me.
I wish Dr. Stokowski could hear his speakers now!
Much more to come on the new Ortofon SPU GTX S!
Ortofon 100th Anniversary, A Century Of Accuracy In Sound
In the meantime, the Ortofon 100th Anniversary, A Century Of Accuracy In Sound book can still be found for sale at Music Direct for $59 USD HERE, so you may want to get one ordered ASAP before they're all gone and become collectors items with pricing to match.
As always, thanks for stopping by, and may the tone be with you!
Previous Articles In This Series
Today's Fresh Catch: The New Ortofon SPU GTX S moving-coil phonograph cartridge! HERE
The New Ortofon SPU GTX S moving-coil phonograph cartridge - a nuevo classic! HERE
For other article references to the new Ortofon SPU GTX, search on "Ortofon SPU GTX" in the Jeff's Place search field.
