Historical Product

Ortofon VMS
Magnetic cartidges

Ortofon has been designing and manufacturing magnetic cartridges for many years. At the heart of our magnetic models is Ortofon’s patented Variable Magnetic Shunt (VMS) generating system.

Compared to the conventional moving magnet systems, VMS offers reduced effective tip mass (moving mass) for better transient response, lower distortion, and improved sonic depth and clarity. A conventional magnetic cartridge normally uses a solid magnet, either permanent or induced, moving close to a set of coils.

In Ortofon’s patented Variable Magnetic Shunt (VMS) design, the stylus cantilever is attached to a very light tubular armature which moves between the coils in the field of a miniature ring magnet. The Ortofon VMS armature is a tiny, thin-walled tube placed at the end of the cantilever. When the stylus moved, the movements of the armature cut the flux lines of the magnet. By so doing, it functions as a magnetic shunt. VMS advantages include low moving mass, high channel separation, low distortion, minimal record wear, and a superb three-dimensional sound which brings concert hall realism into your home.

The ideal model in 1980s

VMS 30 Mk II

The VMS magnetic cartridge with Fine Line diamond, VMS 30 Mk II, was the top model in Ortofon’s conventional VMS line.

In the 1980s, it was the ideal model to use with the very best turntables  on the market.

It had excellent tracking ability across the entire frequency range, high channel separation, very low distortion, and gave the minimum of record wear. • High quality VMS cartridge • Patented Ortofon VMS technology • Nude, Fine Line stylus • 0,45 mg effective stylus tip mass • 20-20.000 Hz frequency response

Highly acclaimed magnetic cartridges

VMS 20E Mk II

This model, which was probably one of Ortofon’s most highly acclaimed magnetic cartridges, incorporates a nude, Elliptical diamond stylus. The VMS 20E Mk II should have only be used with high quality turntables with medium to low mass tonearms. Its fine tracking ability, low tracking force, and high output voltage brought out the best in any gramophone record. • High quality VMS cartridge • Patented Ortofon VMS technology • Nude, Elliptical stylus • 0.50 mg effective stylus tip mass • 20-20.000 Hz frequency response

VMS 10E Mk II

The VMS Magnetic cartridge with Elliptical diamond, an extremely robust and versatile module that used a lower compliance than our other VMS models. Suitable for use with heavier mass tonearms. The ideal model for manual and automatic turntables as well as record changes. • High quality VMS cartridge • Patented Ortofon VMS technology • Elliptical stylus • 0.65 mg effective stylus tip mass • 20-20.000 Hz frequency response

Spherical diamond

FF15X Mk II and FF15XE Mk II cartridges models

The FF15X Mk II is fitted with a spherical diamond. The robust design and low compliance of this model make it suitable for mounting in the higher mass tonearms. The high output voltage of the FF15 X Mk II makes it a perfect match for receivers and amplifiers with a low sensitivity phono input. The FF15XE Mk II fitted with an elliptical diamond. A medium compliance cartridge means that it can be used with a large number of turntables.

The elliptical diamond provides increased high frequency tracing ability, making this model well qualified to reproduce even the most exacting music. All the above mentioned Mk II models have a redesigned body with improved shielding and repositioned terminal pins for easy connection. The pins are gold plated and have a new method of press fitting the internal connections for greater reliability and very small contact resistance.

Diagrams and explanations

The VMS principle

Please see the diagrams illustrating the VMS principle (for simplification only one channel is shown). The upper illustration shows the symmetrical flux fields with the armature in the central (neutral) position. These fields emanate from the magnet positioned in front of the pole pins. As the fields are in balance, no changes in flux occur around and inside the coils; therefore, no voltage is generated. The lower illustration indicates what happens when the cantilever moves the armature closer to the magnet. In this position the armature acts as a shunt, short-circuiting part of the field. As a result, the field in front of the pole pins varies, and the voltage is generated. This also occurs when the armature moves in other directions.

VMS 30 MkII, 20E MkII, 10E MkII, 5E MkII & 3E MkII data

Technical data VMS 30 MkII VMS 20 MkII VMS 10 MkII VMS 5E MkII VMS 3E MkII
Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. 5.0 mV 5.0 mV 5.0 mV 6 mV 6 mV
Channel balance at 1 kHz 2.0 dB 2.0 dB 2.0 dB 2.0 dB 2.0 dB
Channel separation at 1 kHz 27 dB 25 dB 25 dB 20 dB 20 dB
Frequency response 20-20.000 Hz 20-20.000 Hz 20-20.000 Hz 20-20.000 Hz 20-20.000 Hz
Tracking ability (315Hz, lateral) 90 µm 70 µm 65 µm 55 µm 50µm
Tracking force range 10 - 16 mN
(1.0 - 1.6g)		 8 - 12 mN
(0.8 - 1.2g)		 17 - 23 mN
(1.7 - 2.3g)		 17 - 23 mN 
(1.7 - 2.3g)		 17 - 23 mN 
(1.7 - 2.3g)
Recommended tracking force  13 mN (1.3g) 10 mN (1.0g) 20 mN (2.0g) 20 mN (2.0g) 20 mN (2.0g)
Compliance, dynamic (lateral) 22 µm/mN 25 µm/mN 15 µm/mN 20 µm/mN 15 µm/mN
Stylus type Fine Line Nude Nude Elliptical Elliptical Elliptical Elliptical
Tracking angle (vertical) 20° 20° 20° 20° 20°
DC resistance 800 Ohm 800 Ohm 800 Ohm 800 Ohm 800 Ohm
Inductance 600 mH 600 mH 600 mH 600 mH 600 mH
Recommended load resistance 47 kOhm 47 kOhm 47 kOhm 47 kOhm 47 kOhm
Recommended load capacitance 400 pF 400 pF 400 pF 400 pF 400 pF
Cartridge weight 5 g 5 g 5 g 5 g 5 g