ORTOFON F15E

[maxhifi]

Found a NOS one of these... wow, it really sounds good. Nude elliptical. I am kind of blown away by how good it sounds next to some modern cartridges. If you find one, buy it!

 

[maxhifi]

Couldn’t agree more. Great cartridge. Needs a light arm.

Have it on the 11g Rega RB330. It is also a short cartridge so needs no spacers on a rega to get correct VTA. The ortofon was a surprising improvement over my Nagaoka MP200.. or maybe just a better match, but I'm still surprised how good it sounds.

 

[Crab33]

I stumbled across the F15E MkII some years ago and realised how good it was - a solid, dynamic sound with great clarity for a budget cartridge. It doesn't have a nude elliptical stylus though - the original stylus was bonded.

 

[maxhifi]

I stumbled across the F15E MkII some years ago and realised how good it was - a solid, dynamic sound with great clarity for a budget cartridge. It doesn't have a nude elliptical stylus though - the original stylus was bonded.

You're right, it is bonded. I looked at it under a microscope, and I can clearly see the cone shaped diamond glued on to the cylindrical shaft. The whole assembly is very tiny though, and to the naked eye it looks all the world like a nude stylus!

 

[jmchrislip]

Ortofon is a great company with a great history. I've never found one of their cartridges that disappointed me.

 

[Wolfie62]

Ortofons have a long history. I’ve had an F15E sitting in a box for 4 years now. Guess I’ll have to mount it and try it.

 

[maxhifi]

Ortofons have a long history. I’ve had an F15E sitting in a box for 4 years now. Guess I’ll have to mount it and try it.

I bet you'll like it as much as I do, it was a surprise to me since it's not exactly a cool looking cartridge.