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Ortofon VMS 30 Mk II ... New (Old Stock) Unused in simple plastic box (Original cardboard box is not included.) The Variable Magnetic Shunt (VMS) phono cartridge famous for its nude Fine Line diamond stylus, low distortion, and exceptional detail.
A respected late-era Ortofon moving-magnet, the VMS 30 mkII is valued for its fine-line stylus, strong tracking, and clean, refined sound. At US$350, this asking price looks a bit ambitious versus recent used activity, which clusters more around roughly US$125–US$260 depending on condition and seller extras; only exceptional, genuinely fresh stylus condition would justify stretching much beyond that.
What makes it worth chasing is the combination of musical balance and retrieval of detail without sounding etched, plus the fact that good examples are getting scarcer. The key question is the stylus: on a cartridge this age, value rises fast only if the diamond is confirmed healthy or recently retipped, and ideally if the original stylus/cantilever and any mounting hardware are included.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Ortofon: A Century of Precision Sound
Ortofon traces its lineage to October 9, 1918, when Danish engineers Axel Petersen and Arnold Poulsen founded the Electrical Phono Film Company in Copenhagen. The name itself derives from Greek, meaning "correct sound"—a philosophy that has guided the company's trajectory for over a century. Initially focused on synchronized sound film technology, Ortofon pivoted to audio reproduction after 1945, when the superior recording quality of new cutting equipment revealed the inadequacy of existing playback systems. This gap sparked the development of the pioneering Ortofon mono pickup in 1948, establishing the foundation for the company's future dominance.
Today, Ortofon is the world's largest manufacturer of magnetic cartridges for phonograph turntables, producing approximately 500,000 units annually. The company's product portfolio centers exclusively on phono cartridges—both moving magnet and moving coil designs—with over 300 distinct models developed since 1948. This singular focus reflects deep specialization rather than diversification, positioning Ortofon as a micro-mechanical specialist rather than a broad-based audio manufacturer.
Ortofon occupies the high-end segment of the audio market, commanding respect among vinyl enthusiasts and professional studios alike. The brand benefits from Denmark's established reputation for acoustic engineering and industrial design, supported by in-house research and development. For discerning turntable owners, Ortofon cartridges represent the gold standard—a heritage brand whose century-long commitment to cartridge excellence remains unmatched in the industry.
See all Ortofon listings on RADAR.
audio-markt.de
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DE
audio-markt.de
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audio-markt.de
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audio-markt.de
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Hifitörget
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