Ortofon RS-212 User manual
ORTOFON
12-INCH
PROFESSIONAL
TONEARM
MODEL
RS-212
TECHNICAL
DATA
Dimensions
Total
length
...
800
mm
(11.8")
Distance
between
center
of
arm
base
and
center
of
turntable
......212
mm
(8.37")
Range
of
adjustable
height
(center
of
arm
tube
to
mounting
plate)
35-60
mm
(1%"-2%")
50
mm
(2")
Diameter
of
arm
base
.....
Specifications
Effective
length
(center
of
arm
base
to
stylus
tip)
Off-set
angle
..
Maximum
tracking
error
distortion
1.
19%
Optimum
overhang
...
6
mm
(%”)
Adjustable
stylus
pressure
.
}-4.5
grams
Weights
Cartridge
....
'-19
grams
Pickup
arm
425
grams
SECTION
1
CONTENTS
OF
HARDWARE
PACKAGE
For
Installing
Tonearm
3
%"
machine
screws
3
Washers
3
Hex
nuts
3
7/16"
wood
screws
For
Mounting
Cartridge
In
Plug-In-Shell
1
5/32”
machine
screw
2
%”
machine
screws
2
4”
machine
screws
2
%"
machine
screws
1
3/32"
flat
head
machine
screw
2
3/32”
spacers
2
5/32”
spacers
2
\%"
spacers
2
9/32”
spacers
1
Lead
weight
1
Large,
square,
slotted
mounting
plate
1
Small,
rectangular
mounting
plate
1
Mounting
stirrup
TONEARM
INSTALLATION
NOTE:
If
you
have
purchased
model
RS
212/T
(pre-
mounted)
for
installation
on
the
THORENS
TD
124,
TD
121,
TD
125,
TD
150,
you
may
proceed
to
Step
8.
Remove
the
three
screws
securing
the
black
(undrilled)
arm
board
from
the
turntable
and
install
the
pre-mounted
arm
board
supplied
with
your
ORTOFON
RS
212/T
tonearm.
For
the
TD
150,
four
(4)
screws
are
located
on
the
underside
of
the
chassis.
1,
Place
one
end
of
the
metal
template
on
the
turn-
table
spindle
and
insert
the
plastic
gauge
at
the
other
end,
Locate
the
plastic
gauge
along
the
arc
to
the
most
convenient
position
that
minimizes
plug-in-shell
and
counterweight
overhang
in
re-
lation
to
the
tonearm
mounting
board.
If
a
dust
cover
is
to
be
used,
or
the
turntable
is
to
be
Installed
in
an
enclosure,
position
the
tonearm
along
the
arc
to
fit
within
the
area
of
the
dust
cover
or
enclosure.
Before
marking
the
template
Position,
check
the
underside
of
the
arm
board
to
make
certain
the
position
of
the
holes
to
be
drilled
are
not
over
the
turntable
chassis
members.
2.
After
the
desired
position
has
been
located,
mark
the
position
of
the
center
hole
and
place
the
center
of
the
plastic
template
for
the
arm
post
directly
over
the
mark,
as
determined
in
Step
1
above.
Mark
the
position
of
the
base
mounting
screws
as
designated
on
the
plastic
template.
Drill
those
base
mounting
holes
marked
No.
1
for
Model
RS
212.
©
3.
Drill
a
7/8”
diameter
hole
(may
be
up
to
1”
if
7/8"
bit
is
not
available)
at
center
hole
mark.
4,
The
hardware
used
in
mounting
the
tonearm
base
is
as
follows:
3%”
machine
screws
3
Washers
3
Hex
nuts
OR
3
7/16”
wood
screws
5.
Remove
the
tonearm
base
from
the
tonearm
by
loosening
the
set
screw,
using
the
small
hex
wrench.
6.
At
this
point
you
have
an
option.
If
your
tonearm
is
to
be
mounted
on
wood,
you
may
choose
to
utilize
the
three
(3)
wood
screws.
If
so,
position
the
arm
base
on
the
arm
board
and
locate
the
set
screw,
in
the
base,
to
the
right
for
easy
access
and
secure
the
base
to
the
arm
board.
If
use
of
the
machine
screws
is
preferred,
drill
three
(3)
holes
'»”
diameter
in
the
marked
positions.
Secure
the
base
to
the
arm
board
using
the
washers
and
hex
nuts
and
locating
the
set
screw
in
the
arm
base
to
the
right.
7.
Locate
the
most
convenient
position
for
the
tone-
arm
rest.
Drill
a
4%”
diameter
hole
and
secure
the
arm
rest
base
with
washer
and
hex
nut.
8.
Insert
the
pickup
head
into
the
tonearm
and
the
arm
into
the
base
and
adjust
to
parallel
the
tone-
arm
tube
to
the
top
of
the
turntable
with
a
record
on
it.
Tighten
the
set
screw
in
the
arm
base
to
secure
the
tonearm.
Make
certain
the
laterial
swing
of
the
tonearm
covers
the
record
area,
Loosen
the
set
screw
in
the
base
and
readjust
if
necessary.
9.
Install
the
arm
rest
so
the
height
of
the
arm
rest
corresponds
to
the
height
of
the
tonearm
when
lifted
by
the
cueing
device.
*
10.
Your
ORTOFON
tonearm
is
supplied
with
a
four
(4)
foot,
shielded,
twisted
pair
of
audio
cables
with
connector
plugs
for
the
pre-amplifier
and
a
seven
(7)
pin
connector
for
the
base
of
the
tonearm.
Included
with
the
audio
cable
is
a
separate
“fifth
wire”
ground
to
facilitate
separate
grounding
of
the
tonearm.
Your
ORTOFON
tonearm
is
now
ready
for
installation
of
the
cartridge.
If
you
have
purchased
the
OROTO-
FON
SPU/GT,
SPE/GT
or
S15/MT,
factory
mounted
cartridge,
merely
insert
the
cartridge
into
the
tone-
arm,
locking
the
screw
collar
securing
the
cartridge
to
the
tonearm.
Vertical
and
lateral
balance
is
achieved
automatically
since
the
factory
mounted
ORTOFON
cartridges
are
specially
designed
to
weigh
exactly
31
grams
(the
required
weight
for
zero
balance).
NOTE:
You
may
now
proceed
to
Section
5,
NOTE:
Your
ORTOFON
cartridge
employs
a
strong
magnet.
If
your
turntable
is
equipped
a
ferrous
(steel)
platter,
check
the
zero
balance
setting
off
to
the
right
side,
beyond
the
in-
fluence
of
magnetic
pull.
The
tonearm
should
remain
perfectly
parallel
at
the
zero
setting
of
the
stylus
force
knob.
SECTION
2
CARTRIDGE
MOUNTING
INSTRUCTIONS
Your
ORTOFON
RS
s
tonearm
lory
ad-
justed
for
a
perfect
lateral
and
vartical
balance
at
exactly
31
grams,
with
the
removable
counterweight
insert
in
place
and
the
anti-skating
force
setting
at
zero,
Refer
to
Section
4
for
other
balance
ratio:
Therefore,
the
plug-in-shell,
cartridge
and
combi
tion
of
hardware
necessary
to
iristall
the
cartridge
must
weigh
31
grams.
The
following
procedure
out-
lines
the
various
steps
to
achieve
the
correct
plug-
in-shell
weight.
Once
your
cartridge
is
installed,
you
may
interchange
other
cartridges
without
rebalanc-
the
counterweight,
provided
they
led
to
achieve
the
31
grams
re-
quired
for
zero
balance.
ORTOFON
§
15/T
Use
the
small
rectangular
mounting
plate
and
the
3/32”
flat
head
machine
screw.
Place
the
plate
in
the
slotted
section
so
that
the
fixing
holes
are
near
the
front
of
the
shell
and
secure
with
the
screw.
Use
the
two
(2)
%”
machine
screws
to
secure
the
cartridge
and
connect
the
wires
ob-
serving
the
color
code
and
cartridge
markings.
ORTOFON
SPU/T
and
SPE/T
Use
the
mounting
stirrup
and
a
5/32"
machine
screw,
Place
the
stirrup
in
the
slotted
section
and
secure
with
screw.
Use
the
two
(2).%”
machine
screws
in
the
cartridge
mounting
holes
nearest
the
stylus
(forward
pair)
and
secure
to
the
stirrup.
Connect
the
wires
observing
the
color
code
and
cartridge
markings.
Color
Code
Right
Channel
Red
Lead—‘'Hot”
Black
Lead—"Ground"
Left
Channel
White
Lead—"Hot”
Black
Lead—‘Ground"
By
placing
the
cartridge
shell
bottom
up
and
with
the
plug-in
portion
to
your
right,
the
two
“bottom”
terminals
in
the
shell
are
the
“hot”
ones
and
the
two
nearest
the
“top”
are
“ground”.
The
pin
furthest
away
is
the
“left
channel”
and
the
pin
nearest
you
is
the
“right
channel”.
The
arm
ground
is
internal,
therefore,
it
is
not
necessary
to
have
a
“fifth
lead”
to
the
cartridge.
Attach
the
leads
as
specified
by
the
cartridge
manufacturer,
SECTION
3
OTHER
CARTRIDGES
1,
With
the
shell
upside
down,
place
the
brass
slide
in
the
shell
(loosely)
and
hold
cartridge
in
place
(do
not
fasten
the
leads).
(Line
up
the
mounting
holes,
of
the
cartridge,
to
position
the
stylus
%"
behind
the
leading
edge
of
the
plug-in-shell),
The
placement
of
the
holes,
in
the
brass
cartridge
slide
plate,
can
be
either
to
the
front
or
to
the
rear
depending
on
the
location
of
the
cartridge
mounting
holes.
Select
the
proper
spacers,
or
studs,
so
that
the
stylus
protrudes
below
the
edge
of
the
shell,
remove
the
cartridge
and
leave
the
plate
in,
noting
alignment,
and
mark
the
In-
side
of
the
shell
for
realignment
when
a
final
installation
is
to
be
made.
2.
Insert
the
3/16”
screw
into
the
mounting
plate
slot
in
the
forward
plug-in-shell
hole
—
DO
NOT
TIGHTEN!
3.
Select
the
proper
length
screws
and
install
the
cartridge
onto
the
brass
plate
—
DO
NOT
TIGHTEN!
4,
Secure
the
shell
into
the
tonearm
by
inserting
the
pin
into
the
slot
and
tightening
the
knurled
ring
in
a
counter-clockwise
direction
(when
facing
arm).
Set
calibrated
scale
and
anti-skating
knobs
at
“0”.
If
the
tonearm
is
perfectly
horizontal,
your
tonearm
is
balanced.
Caution:
Do
not
allow
the
stylus
to
hit
the
chassis.
Note:
If
the
plug-in-shell
is
above
level,
zero
balance
may
be
achieved
two
(2)
ways.
A.
The
tonearm
may
be
recalibrated
(refer
to
Section
4)
and
then
steps
6
through
9
below
should
be
followed:
B.
The
plug-in-shell
may
be
weighted.
To
weight
the
plug-in-shell
proceed
to
steps
5
through
9
below.
.
Place
the
lead
weight
on
top
of
the
plug-in-shell.
Sections
of
the
soft
lead
weight
may
be
broken
off,
if
necessary,
to
obtain
a
balance
for
the
plug-
in-shell,
cartridge
and
hardware
used.
Do
not
break
off
too
much
of
the
lead
weight.
Trim
only
as
much
as
required
to
achieve
balance.
Remove
the
cartridge
and
brass
slide
and
insert
the
lead
weight
into
the
shell,
pressing
to
fit
the
contour
of
the
inside
of
the
shell.
This
should
be
a
force
fit
and
the
jead
weight
should
be
rigid,
|.
Replace
the
brass
slide
in
the
previously
marked
position
and
secure
with
a
3/16"
screw
(CAUTION
—
Do
Not
Strip
Thread
In
The
Shell).
.
Check
the
stylus
overhang
by
placing
the
cart-
ridge
directly
over
the
turntable
spindle.
The
stylus
should
extend
%”
to
the
left
of
the
spindle.
Move
the
brass
slide
forward,
or
back,
in
the
plug-in-shell
to
obtain
the
correct
setting.
If
ad-
justment
cannot
be
achieved,
reverse
the
brass
slide
so
the
threaded
holes
for
the
mounting
screws
provide
further
range
for
adjustment.
.
Before
making
the
final
installation
of
the
cart-
ridge
it
is
easier
to
attach
the
wire
leads
in
the
shell
to
the
cartridge
pins.
Observe
the
wire
color
coding
and
cartridge
markings
(refer
to
Section
2
for
color
code).
9.
Reinstall
the
cartridge
and
tighten
all
screws.
The
color
code
of
the
audio
cable
is:
Right
Channel—Red
Plug
Left
Channel—Green
Plug
SECTION
4
RECALIBRATING
YOUR
RS
TONEARM
The
range
of
counterbalance
adjustments,
with
the
removable
counterweight
insert
in
place,
is
from
32
to
23
grams.
With
the
removable
counterweight
in-
sert
removed,
the
range
of
counterbalance
adjust--
ments
is
from
23
to
14
grams.
The
RS
series
tonearm
may
be
rebalanced
and
calibrated
to
zero
balance
with
any
cartridge
weight
within
these
ranges.
Should
a
combined
plug-in-shell,
cartridge
and
hardware
weight
of
27
grams
be
chosen
for
zero
balance,
with
the
counterweight
insert
in
place,
the
corresponding
zero
balance,
without
the
counter-
weight
insert,
would
be
18
grams.
Refer
to
the
chart
for
other
ratios,
32.31
«430
29
«28
«427 «426
«625
24 23
withinsert
23°
«22~=«O21
without
insert
Once
a
new
zero
balance
setting
is
chosen
from
the
ratio
chart,
the
entire
counterweight
assembly
must
be
moved
to
rebalance
the
tonearm,
Use
the
large
hex
wrench
to
loosen
the
set
screw
in
the
side
of
the
counterweight
(A)
(do
not
remove
the
screw).
Also
loosen
the
set
screw
in
the
center
of
the
stylus
force
knob
(B),
with
the
small
hex
wrench
(do
not
remove
the
screw).
Dial
the
anti-skating
force
set-
ting
to
zero,
Slide
the
counterweight
forward
or
back
until
the
tonearm
balances
horizontally.
Move
the
stylus
force
knob
on
the
right
(without
the
scale
markings)
until
the
gimbal
spring
is
relaxed,
neither
pulled
nor
compressed,
and
recheck
the
zero
bal-
ance
of
the
counterweight
and
observe
the
action
of
the
gimbal
spring
until
the
latter
has
no
effect
upon
the
zero
balance.
Lock
the
position
of
the
counter-
weight
in
place
with
the
set
screw.
Rotate
the
left
stylus
force
knob
(with
the
stylus
force
markings)
until
the
zero
(0)
mark
tines
up
with
the
front
edge
of
the
opening.
Tighten
the
set
screw
in
the
center
of
the
stylus
force
knob.
Check
the
stylus
force
setting
with
a
stylus
pressure
gauge
at
1,
2
and
3
grams
for
accuracy.
Repeat
the
above
steps,
in
the
described
order,
if
necessary,
until
calibration
ac-
curacy
is
achieved.
SECTION
5
STYLUS
FORCE
ADJUSTMENTS
The
stylus
pressure
is
applied
by
dialing
the
knob
on
the
counterweight.
Each
calibration
marking
In-
dicates
2
gram.
The
anti-skating
force
is
automatically
applied
in
proportion
to
the
stylus
pressure.
ANTI-SKATING
ADJUSTMENTS
The
anti-skating
force
adjustment
is
independent
of
the
tracking
force
adjustment
and
will
have
no
effect
upon
the
latter,
The
tracking
force
adjustment,
how-
ever,
will
automatically
increase
the
anti-skating
force
in
direct
proportion
to
the
tracking
force
(stylus
pressure)
applied.
Therefore,
constant
readjustment
of
the
anti-skating
force
is
not
necessary.
The
anti-skating
force
is
obtained
by
a
sideways
displacement
of
the
stylus
force
spring
in
relation
to
the
lateral
pivot.
The
stylus
force
spring,
there-
fore,
provides
an
automatic
relation
of
anti-skating
force
to
stylus
force
with
each
adjustment
of
the
stylus
force
knob.
The
geometry
of
the
tonearm
design
is
such
that
the
anti-skating
force
changes
as
the
radius
of
the
record
decreases
proportionally
with
the
changing
skating
force.
Que
WORLD
RENOWNED
ORTOFON
S-15T
STEREO
CARTRIDGE
For
any
transcription
turntable.
there
is
one
superb
cartridge
—
the
S-15T.
This
is
Ortofon's
definitive
cartridge
that
mates
with
the
finest’
precision
tonearms
to
give
magnificent
performance.
The
matching
high
impedance
transformer
has
been
built
right
into
the
cartridge
casing.
The
S-15T
is
a
rugged,
super-sensitive
cartridge
that
has
achieved
a
new
milestone
in
sound
REcreation.
Acclaimed
by
lead-
ing
sound
engineers
as
"the
finest
cartridge
ever
available
for
home
use"...
Made
to
last
a
lifetime.
The
elliptical
shape
of
the
Re
conforms
closely
to
that
of
the
original
record
cutting
head.
15°
tracking
angle
matches
precisely
the
angle
used
to
manufac-
ture
most
new
records.
Virtually
eliminates
pinch
effect,
inner
groove
distortion
and
bottoming
distortion.
Made
exclusively
with
prime
polished
diamonds.
Features
printed
circuits,
ultra-high.
Sensitive
compliance,
and
exclusive
record
care
“Projecto-Skate™
Blide,
Frequency
response
15
to
40.000
Hz:
impedance
15,000
ohms.
Recommended
stylus
pressure:
1
to
2
grams.
Channel
sep-
aration:
20
to
30
db.
STEREO
CARTRIDGES
ORTOFON
S-15MT
STEREO
CARTRIDGE
(MOUNTED)
The
Ortofon
S-15MT
is
the
cartridge
above,
factory
mounted
in
a
shell
that
fits
all
Ortofon
and
SME.
tonearms.
The
user
need
have
9,
qualms
about
the
accuracy
of
his
mounting:
the
S-15M
is
the
$:18T
precision
aligned
by
Ortofon
ina
shell
to
track
and
reproduce
perfectly.
The
four
stereo
connections
are
made
at
the
factory,
instead
of
the
usual
wires,
Ortofon
has
designed
silver-plated
coil
spring
connections
from
the
cartridge
to
the
terminals
that
connect
into
the
tonearm.
The
use
of
coil
springs
guards
against
any
unde-
sirable
resonance.
and
also
insures
perfect
contact.
ORTOFON
SL-15
STEREO
CARTRIDGE
Designed
to
meet
the
full
capabilities
of
the
finest
transcription
turntables,
the
SL-15
was
specifically
engineered
to
fit
the
tone-
arms
of
the
excellent
automatics
on
the
market,
Thus,
it
is
the
best
all-round
cartridge
ob!
the
SL-15
jest
Specifications
for
a
cartr
nd
will
bring
out
ities
of
any
turntable
—
manui
utomatic.
ultra
lightweight
ana
compact
to
assure
minimum
4
record-wear
tracking.
It
uses
@
polished
elliptical
shaped
diamond
y
stylus
made
from
select
prime
diamonds.
Stylus
arm
housed
in
a
;
stationary
metal
tube
(same
as
in
famed
S-15T
transcription
model).
Unique
"Protecto:Skate"
glide
guards
stylus
against
dam-
age
from
undue
sideward
motion
or
dawnwatd
pressure.
Recom-
mended
stylus
pressure:
44
fo,
1¥2
grams.
Channel,
separation:
20-30
db.
Frequency
response:
10
to
40,000
Hz.
Weight
of
pickup
cartridge:
7
grams.
The
vertical
tracking
angle
is
an
exact
15°
when
tracking
at
1¥2
grams
tracking
force.
Output
impedance:
2
ohms.
Equivalent
mass
at
stylus
point:
0.9
mg.
the
smallest
of
‘any
cartridge
manufactured
today
For
systems
where
a
high
impedance
is
required,
the
SL-15T
with
transformer
is
available,
(See
description
of
2-15K
Transformer
below.)
With
the
superlative
performance
possible
from
today's
am
and
recordings,
there
must
be
cartridges
and
tonearms
capable
of
bringing
out
this
full
potential.
Ortofon
manufactures
such
a
line
of
cartridges
and
tonearms.
:
The
SL-15
is
a
no-compromise
stereo
cartridge,
manufactured
with
Ortofort's
exacting
performance
standards
for
fine
turntables,
Manual
and
automatic.
Because
of
its
size
and
weight,
it
is
ideal
for
use
in
the
tonearms
of
the
best
automatics.
ORTOFON
SL-15T
(STEREO
CARTRIDGE
WITH
TRANSFORMER)
The
majority
of
amplifiers
(or
receivers)
today,
require
a
cartridy
ith
a
high
impedance
input.
For
this
use,
the
SL-15
has
been.
signed
to
accommodate
an
Ortofon
transformer
(the
Model
2-15K).
Packaged
with
this
transformer
and
a
complete
cable
assembly,
it
is
designated
the
SL-15T.
In
the
SL-15T,
the
user
has
the
flawless
cartridge
described
above,
together
with
the
high
impedance
matching
transformer
described
below,
and
can
expect
his
system
to
bring
out
the
complete
brilliance
of
‘the
finest
recordings
manu-
factured.
The
output
impedance
of
the
SL-15T
is
15,000
ohms,
ORTOFON
2-15K
PLUG-IN
TRANSFORMER
Due
to
the
low
impedance
and
output
voltages
of
some
cartridges
Such
as,
the
SL15
—
it
is
often
necessary
to
employ
a
trans:
former.
Ortofon
offers
a
twin-transtormer
(for
stereo
use) with
cables
and
plugs
which
can
be
plugged
in
between
the
normal
con-
necting
cables
and
standard
amplifier
input
(47000
ohms).
The
out-
put
impedance
of
the
transt
is
15000
ohms.
However,
this
does
not
mean
that
the
jer
input
impedance
has
to
be'15
k
r
system
has
a
“flat”
(velocity
verus
frequency)
response
irr
e
of
the
load.
The
specifications
of
this
transformer
are:
input
impedance:
2
ohms.
Output
impedance:
15000
ohms.
Load
impedance:
47
K
ohms.
Frequency
response:
10
—
=,
a
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