ORTOFON S-120 GIVES YOU THE POWER TO PERFORM
- Concorde Twin (two Cartridge)
- Concorde Set (Cartridge + Extra Stylus)
- Stylus
The brand new Ortofon-Serato S-120 sees two of the world’s finest manufacturers of DJ technology unite for the first time to create a pick-up cartridge of unprecedented specification. The S-120 embodies the combination of experience and ‘accuracy in sound’ that Ortofon are famous for, with the forward-thinking and famously stable technology of Serato’s Digital Vinyl System, Scratch Live.
In the ever-present age of DVS, no manufacturer has yet looked to optimise the first ‘link in the chain’ of pick-up cartridge technology in any dramatically new ways. However, the Ortofon-Serato project has set to change that with technology that, even outside of DVS usage, has created one of the most impressively spec’d DJ cartridges on the market.
The revolutionary, patented design boasts a number of technological breakthroughs, which the whole spectrum of vinyl-based DJs can benefit from; most notably of which is the development of an all-new asymmetric suspension technology. The development of this technology has allowed for an amazing amount of vertical rigidity – translating as less vinyl-skip – while at the same time increasing the horizontal tracking ability to levels never before accomplished – allowing for higher levels of musical detail and anti-skate. This latter success is manifest in the form of a massive 120µm (micro-metres) tracking ability, whereas all before it have traditionally been around 80 µm. Now DJs can scratch, rewind, cue and track with unrivalled accuracy.
Another breakthrough includes an increased capacity for reduced vinyl wear. The exceptional tracking ability of the S-120 allows for even the loudest record-pressings to be played at a bare minimum of tracking force (down to 1.5 grams), keeping record wear as limited as possible. This makes the cartridge highly adept at playing traditional vinyl for both DJing and listening purposes. Also because of the asymmetric technology, there is almost no need for an extended set-up and calibration process. The S-120’s performance is unrestricted by excess tracking force, greatly reducing the need to adjust it during a live gig.
Finally, the Ortofon-Serato S-120 is the ideal cartridge for playing back timecoded vinyl. The output voltage is at a high 10.0 mV (mili-volts), allowing for increased timecode performance at a high signal-to-noise ratio, especially when used with the SL1 and SL3 audio interfaces.
The Ortofon-Serato S-120 is truly set to be one of the finest examples of DJ Technology to have come out of NAMM 2010. The design revolutionises and modernises pick-up cartridge technology in line with the ever-digitising world of vinyl-based DJing.
The cartridge will be available in both Concorde and OM forms, with the OM version also being supplied with a custom-designed Serato headshell. As with all Ortofon models, there will also be stylus replacements available. The cartridge is due for UK release in February.
Below is all the vital statistics for the Ortofon-Serato S-120 cartridge, all of which is also available at the product specific website, http://s120ontrack.com/, where visitors can also watch an incredible performance video by the 2008 DMC Champion, DJ Fly, and be entered in a competition to win a trip to Ibiza!
Technical Info…
Output voltage at 1000Hz, 5cm/sec: 10 mV
Channel balance at 1kHz: 1.5 db
Channel separation at 1kHz: 20 db
Channel separation at 15Khz: 15db
Frequency range at -3db: 20-18.000 Hz
Frequency response: 20-18.000 Hz +3/-2db
FIM distortion at recommended tracking force DIN 45.542: < 1%
Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force: 120 μm
Compliance, dynamic, lateral: 11 μm/mN
Stylus type: Spherical
Stylus tip radius: R 18 μm
Tracking force range: 4,0 g (40mN)
Internal impedance, DC resistance: 1680 Ohm
Internal inductance: 920 mH
Recommended load resistance: 47 kOhm
Recommended load capacitance: 200-600 pF
Cartridge color (body/stylus): Black/Silver
Cartridge weight (Concorde/OM): 18,5 g / 5 g
Replacement stylus unit: Ortofon-Serato S-120
