Ortofon Test Record

Ortofon Test Record

The Ortofon Test Record is equipped with special test signals that have been specifically developed for analysing cartridge performance and its interaction with your tonearm and turntable. This allows for a comprehensive evaluation of your system's capabilities. But before testing your cartridge, it is essential to ensure the functionality of your HiFi system, and the Test Record provides instructions for this as well.

One of the key features of the Test Record is its built-in RIAA equalization, allowing for seamless integration with your system. It is recommended to set the volume control at a moderate level, ensuring accurate and reliable results. Additionally, the Test Record provides instructions for the correct installation and alignment of your turntable and tonearm, ensuring optimum performance.

The Test Record also takes into consideration the technical data of your cartridge, providing instructions for setting the Vertical Tracking Force and anti-skating. This level of precision allows for a more thorough evaluation of your system's performance.

Track Listing

Each side of the record consists of 15 tracks which have been cut from 1-4 and 5-15:

1. Frequency Sweep Left Channel 800 Hz – 50 kHz. Log. 28 sec. Linear cut* (800 – 20000 Hz ±1,5 dB)
2. Frequency Sweep Right Channel 800 Hz – 50 kHz. Log. 28 sec. Linear cut* (800 – 20000 Hz ±1,5 dB)
3. Frequency Sweep Left Channel 800 Hz – 50 kHz. Log. 28 sec. Linear cut* (800 – 20000 Hz ±1,5 dB)
4. Frequency Sweep Right Channel 800 Hz – 50 kHz. Log. 28 sec. Linear cut* (800 – 20000 Hz ±1,5 dB)
5. Reference tone 1000 Hz 5 cm/sec rms Left
6. Reference tone 1000 Hz 5 cm/sec rms Right
7. Reference tone 1000 Hz 5 cm/sec rms Left
8. Reference tone 1000 Hz 5 cm/sec rms Right
9. Tracking ability, lateral 50 μm peak
10. Tracking ability, lateral 60 μm peak
11. Tracking ability, lateral 70 μm peak
12. Tracking ability, lateral 80 μm peak
13. Tracking ability, lateral 90 μm peak
14. Tracking ability, lateral 100 μm peak
15. Square Wave Form 2.7 msec duty cycle 3:7

* The record has a constant velocity amplitude throughout the sweep.

1-4 Frequency sweep – a tool for checking frequency response:
There are several factors which can affect frequency response, including cable capacitance, cartridge loading, tracking force and worn parts. Because of this, it can be difficult to achieve perfectly flat frequency response. Sometimes by making small compromises in the cartridge loading, a better overall frequency response can be achieved. Considering the above the signal must be clean throughout the sweep.

5-8 Reference tone for testing channel output:
With this standard reference signal is it possible to check the correctness of the connections of the left and right channels, channel balance and speed of the turntable.

9 -14 Tracking ability test, 315 Hz lateral modulation:
These tracks contain a 315 Hz signal, recorded at increasing pick amplitudes of 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 micrometers. Please refer to your cartridge’s tracking ability value specified in the technical data sheet. Your cartridge should be able to track the actual level without audible distortion. Inability to track can be heard as a departure from a pure tone or a sputtering and intermittent tone. To determine if it is one or both channels, the balance control can be utilised. In case of differing tracking ability in the left and right channels it is probably necessary to readjust the anti-skating correction of the tonearm. If both channels fail to track properly, then vertical tracking force should be increased until no further improvement of tracking force can be obtained.

15. Square Wave Form 2.7 msec duty cycle 3:7:
When monitoring the output of your cartridge with an oscilloscope you’ll then see a square wave located precisely above each other if the connection from the cartridge is correct.

After successful completion of the above test procedures, you can ensure that your cartridge is optimised. Still the human ear is very sensitive to difference in tone distortion; its level depends on the stylus condition and record wear.

To maintain optimal sound reproduction and to minimise wear on your records as well as on your stylus, we recommend the following procedure before and after each playback:

• Remove dust carefully from record surfaces by using a fine anti-static brush or cloth before every use.
• Please remember to remove dust from the diamond tip before and after playback of each record.
• In order to keep electrical contacts clean and to lubricate the knurled nut on the tonearm, Ortofon recommends occasionally a light spray of contact cleaner like DeoxIT ®Gold G-Series into the tonearm socket.

It should be noted that some phono equalisers may generate some tone distortion, which cannot be referred to the cartridge.

About Ortofon

Ortofon is one of the world leader's in the development and manufacturing of turntable cartridges. The wealth of knowledge and expertise at Ortofon has been accumulating since 1918 with their first moving coil cartridge manufactured in 1948.

Today, Ortofon offers a wide range of cartridges for both DJ's and Hi-Fi audiophiles. Their offering includes moving magnets, moving coils, plug-and-play headshells, mono cartridges and 78RPM cartridges.

Throughout their range of cartridges, Ortofon maintains a set profile with each cartridge profile containing an individual sonic expression. All of Ortofon's range of cartridges includes a Red, Blue, Bronze and Black model.

First, in the range, are the Red cartridges which deliver open, dynamic sound with a slight touch of warmth. Next, the Blue Cartridges offer greater dynamic soundstages with improved detail and resolution. Following on, the Bronze cartridges improve the details in a way that pays respects to all elements of the track. Lastly, the Black cartridges are the best at everything. They are true to the groove with resolution and accurate insight into each recording.

Ortofon have made their cartridges suitable for the majority of turntables on the market at the moment. With a wide range of available models, there is an Ortofon cartridge to suit everyone.