Ortofon AS-212R
The Ortofon AS-212R brings smooth neutrality, quiet tracking, and a composed, low-colouration character that lets cartridges speak for themselves. Paul Seydor found its low-mass, universal-headshell design unusually versatile, pairing high-compliance moving magnets and moving coils with clean dynamics, stable imaging, and convincing control on demanding records.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
95/100
Build Quality
94/100
Features Usability
90/100
Value for Money
96/100
Pros
Exceptionally clean, quiet and controlled playback, with low groove and tracing noise and strong composure during demanding passages.
Low 7g effective mass and universal headshell support a notably broad range of high-compliance and moving-coil cartridges.
Straightforward installation and setup, supported by an accurate mounting template, adjustable height and calibrated anti-skate.
Performance was judged comparable with substantially more expensive tonearms.
Cons
No headshell is included, and azimuth adjustment depends on selecting a compatible headshell.
Final bass definition and overall performance can vary with headshell choice, requiring careful cartridge and headshell matching.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 95/100
The AS-212R is described as exceptionally clean, smooth, neutral and controlled, allowing very different cartridges to sound like themselves rather than imposing an obvious arm signature. Review listening found little sacrificed in dynamics, detail, imaging or soundstaging, alongside notably low groove and tracing noise.
Overall Sound
95/100
Paul Seydor heard uncommon smoothness and neutrality, with no top-end brightness or sense of missing information. He found the arm natural rather than merely analytical, and reported that it let the cartridges used perform as intended without adding a tonal character of its own.
Tracking Performance
94/100
The presentation was praised as confident and controlled, with unusually clean reproduction and very low groove and tracing noise. On demanding, loud orchestral percussion, the arm maintained the rest of the musical picture rather than allowing transient strikes to obscure it.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
Installation is reported to be unusually straightforward, aided by an accurate mounting template, and the arm remains stable once set. It offers practical height and anti-skate adjustment, while the detachable headshell approach gives the owner scope to tailor cartridge matching.
Adjustability
87/100
The supplied template made armboard installation quick and uncomplicated in the review, while arm height is adjustable at the base and anti-skate is set from a clearly graduated dial. Azimuth flexibility depends on choosing a headshell that provides that adjustment, rather than being built into the arm itself.
Cartridge Compatibility
93/100
Its low effective mass is said to make it a rare modern arm that can optimally accommodate high-compliance cartridges such as the Shure V15-V xMR, while also working well with vintage and current moving-coil designs. The universal SME-type headshell arrangement allows matching headshell mass to the chosen cartridge.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
94/100
The review calls the AS-212R superbly designed, engineered and built, with a purposeful, classic layout rather than unnecessary embellishment. Its captive-gimbal bearing and attention to damping and materials are specifically intended to suppress vibration and resonance.
Value for Money
96/100
At a stated $3,359 retail price, the reviewer judged its performance comparable with arms costing several times more. The conclusion explicitly characterizes its price as very reasonable for the exceptionally high level of performance delivered.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
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Specifications
- Cartridge weight
- 18 to 26 g./26 to 38 g. (standard weight, including headshell/heavy weight, including headshell)
- Mounting distance
- 214 mm
- Effective length
- = 232mm
- Overhang
- 18mm
- Offset angle
- 23.75
- Arm shaft diameter
- 18 mm
- Recommended arm shaft hole diameter
- 22mm
- Tonearm weight
- 600g/630 g. standard weight/heavy weight
- Height above mounting surface
- 59 – 79 mm (up to top of the tonearm)
- Counterweight radial clearance
- 80 mm for standard weight; 89 mm for heavy weight (measured from pivot point)
- Distance from the mounting surface to the top of the platter
- 20 – 48 mm.
- Effective arm mass
- 7 g.
Manufacturer's Description — Ortofon
The Reference tonearm is the culmination of decades of experience and expertise in the field of audio engineering.
All parts and every component of the tonearms have been upgraded with material meticulously chosen to minimize unwanted vibration and distortion, ensuring crisp clear, and accurate sound. Careful attention to precision and durability of every part and assembly in both models ensures lasting durability for years to come.
The AS-212R is a 9 inch tonearm.
Precision engineering and hand assembly
With over 130 redesigned components, the Reference tonearms are crafted with unparalleled mechanical precision and advanced engineering.
Our skilled artisans meticulously hand assemble, adjust, and review every component of each tonearm, ensuring unmatched quality and performance. This meticulous artisanship optimizes every aspect of the tonearm, capturing the subtle nuances of your music like never before.
How to setup your tonearm
Explore the steps of tonearm setup with our Ortofon AS-212S Reference tonearm. Whether you're an audiophile or new to vinyl, mastering tonearm adjustment is crucial for optimal audio performance.
Join us as Leif Johannsen guides you through essential steps, such as balancing, tracking force adjustment, anti-skating, and alignment techniques. Our tutorials provide step-by-step guidance to help you get the most from your turntable for a precise listening experience.
Compatibility
The Reference Tonearm is a highly versatile accessory designed to cater to the needs of many turntable owners. It is available in two lengths, 9 and 12 inches, and can be adjusted in height to fit a wide range of turntable models. The tonearm is a great option for vinyl lovers who wish to change between different setups. It is equipped with a universal connector made of brass, making it easy to match and connect with cartridges mounted on different headshells, offering maximum flexibility and compatibility with your existing setup.
Moreover, each tonearm comes with the premium Ortofon 6NX-TSW-1010 Tonearm cable and includes two counterweight options, allowing it to fit a wide range of cartridges from the Ortofon Concorde Series to the SPU Series, including all cartridges mounted on a suitable headshell, providing adaptability and versatility to meet your specific needs.
User match
Based on well-known Ortofon technology, the tonearm is designed to be simple to install and operate with intuitive controls that make it easy to adjust settings and achieve the perfect sound. The tonearm is statically balanced, simplifying needle pressure adjustment by setting the weight and an easy-to-set anti-skating feature. Furthermore, the tonearm is built to fulfill Baerwald alignment resulting in minimum tracking error.
The 5-pol DIN tonearm socket ensures you can use a broad range of tonearm cables, making the Reference Tonearm even more versatile and user-friendly.
The AS-212R is a 9-inch tonearm and is also available in 12 inches as the AS-309R
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Ortofon AS-212R
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Audio Association — in-store — Anaheim, California, United States (website)
- 2C Stereo — in-store — Washington, District of Columbia, United States (website)
- à la carte productions — in-store — Palm Coast, Florida, United States (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- Accent On Music — in-store — Mount Kisco, New York, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustic Streams — in-store — Lower Drift, England, United Kingdom (website)
and 371 more verified dealers