Ortofon 20FL (ca. 1978)
Not much is documented about the Ortofon 20FL. The one detailed source is an equipment review from early 1978. High Fidelity (February 1978, p.43) tested it as the M-20FL Super and called it a stereo phono pickup with a Fine-Line stylus. It was priced at $100 and carried a one-year limited warranty. The review noted that the cartridge was made in Denmark and distributed in the U.S. by Tannoy-Ortofon of Plainview, New York.
High Fidelity's measurements showed channel separation consistently better than 25 dB across the audio band, exceeding 30 dB over much of it, and still above 18 dB at 15 kHz. Listening impressions were warm and present, with very brilliant brass reproduction that the reviewer attributed to the response rising above 10 kHz; a slight center-image instability was noted on solo violin, with upper partials favoring the left channel. The reviewer counted the pickup among the best at its price — a price that was, at the time, fast becoming modest for a premium pickup.
Ortofon's own advertising for the M20 Super series positioned the M20FL Super as the medium-compliance model. It credited the patented VMS (Variable Magnetic Shunt) design and claimed these were the first magnetic cartridges that could be precisely matched to the compliance variations of fine tonearms (HiFI-Stereo, February 1978, p.143).
Beyond those two period sources, no service manual, production dates or further specifications have surfaced.
Known at a glance:
- Stereo phono pickup, Fine-Line stylus (M-20FL Super)
- Price: $100 (1978)
- Warranty: one year parts and labor
- Channel separation: better than 25 dB overall, better than 30 dB over much of the band, still above 18 dB at 15 kHz
- Medium-compliance model in the M20 Super line (per Ortofon advertising)
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