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Ortofon Verto Review by James Leahy
Introduction The dedicated Ortofon Verto transformer for low output MC cartridges is just what the Doctor ordered for phono stages that do not have enough gain or do not have MC inputs altogether. Worried about quality losses or compromises in soundstage from using such a device? Read on and see what our findings were for such a product that promises so much to the low output MC enthusiast. Using MC cartridges under 0.500mV output requires the use of a dedicated high gain MC phono stage and with some of the best MC cartridges getting down to extremely low outputs of 0.150mV even more gain is required. Providing two setting for different cartridges; Configuration A for 5-50ohms (24dB gain) and Configuration B with <10ohms (30dB gain). This covers most of anything that you would want to consider using with your rig.
A dynamic and transparent passive transformer that will add to your enjoyment of every MC cartridge that required more gain. Packaging is awesome like all Ortofon's products are.
The stunning build quality that Ortofon have lavished on the Verto is most welcome and expected for the price.
Simple and uncomplicated in it's design but not in it's performance.
The quality of the parts used by Ortofon reflects it's price and it's intended use by their discerning customers.
This review was done using Dire Straits, 'BROTHER IN ARMS' - What must be one of the all time classic albums from the 80's and one that was chosen to launch CD into the public arena (Mercury Records, Re-Mastered 2006). What better album to see what the 20th anniversary 180g special vinyl pressing from Mercury Records is capable of. Connecting the Audio Research SP16 and using only the MM phono section in this unit I was most keen to see how the Verto would perform and if there was any loss compared to a dedicated MC phono stage.
I, like so many other MC phono cartridge enthusiasts' have had a love/hate relationship with the low output that the higher end models provide. What is one to do? Simple, get a phono stage with sufficient gain for your cartridge, or use a very high quality Ortofon Verto step-up transformer to do the business as well as any device could do. For the Verto to be suitable in a high ended Hi-Fi system the soundstage would have to be maintained and not suffer any compression and/or rolled off topend that is most common and typical with low quality step-up MC transformers on the market. This was certainly the case with old fashioned cheaper ones I have previously tested in both customers systems and my own. The Ortofon Verto, when listening to 'So Far Away' was very dynamic and faithful to the upper frequencies, a major sticking point and huge let down with most of this competitors in the market place. The overall character of the tone is not compromised and remains fully transparent far into the depths of micro detail in each sub layer of sound that the engineer intended. The Verto is so neutral to the original signal because it has no active electrical circuits that may introduce corruption of the sound. The result is a pure and unaltered amplifier signal with the full character of your MC cartridge faithfully intact to the end. I am thoroughly pleased that Ortofon have taken the trouble and effort to invest in MC technology where others have failed. Ortofon currently only have one MC step-up transformer in their range because with a company history as long and prestigious as theirs, they do not wish to make a compromise in this most critical part of the signal chain. The price of the Verto is justifiable and can even be considered cheap when you take into account what a high quality turntable, MC cartridge and phono stage would cost. Ortofon have really managed to achieve here what many have said for years could never be done with MC step-up transformers. This proves that just sometimes, if you through enough money at a problem, a solution will emerge.
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