Ortofon M-20
Not much is documented about the Ortofon M-20. The model shows up in the period record as the M-20FL Super, a stereo phono pickup with a Fine-Line stylus. High Fidelity reviewed it in February 1978 (p.43). The review price was $100, with a limited one-year parts-and-labor warranty. Ortofon made it in Denmark. The U.S. distributor was Tannoy-Ortofon, Inc. of Plainview, New York.
The same magazine liked the sound: warmth without losing up-close presence. Channel separation measured better than 25 dB over much of the audio band, exceeded 30 dB over substantial portions, and stayed above 18 dB at 15 kHz. The review also noted a slightly elevated high-frequency response that made brass very brilliant, perhaps a trifle too much for some tastes, and a subtle center-image instability on solo violin (High Fidelity, February 1978, p.44). It concluded that the pickup ranked among the best, at what was becoming a modest price for a premium pickup.
Past those two pages, the archive has no production dates, further specifications, or market context for the M-20.
- Type: stereo phono pickup
- Stylus: Fine-Line
- Price (1978): $100
- Warranty: limited, one year parts and labor
- Manufacturer: Ortofon, Denmark
- U.S. distributor: Tannoy-Ortofon, Inc., Plainview, N.Y.
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