Ortofon AS-309R
Ortofon’s 12-inch AS-309R pairs a fast, clean, nimble presentation with the freedom of an SME-type removable headshell. Michael Fremer praised its jewel-like precision, secure collet locking and sonic agility, while its supplied cable, dual counterweights and SPU-friendly fit make this a seriously polished route to versatile analogue performance.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
90/100
Build Quality
94/100
Features Usability
85/100
Value for Money
90/100
Pros
Delivers a fast, clean and nimble sound without an apparent sonic compromise from its removable headshell.
Exceptional fit, finish and perceived bearing precision, with a rigid, secure collet-locking system.
Strong practical package: supplied tonearm cable, dual counterweights, templates and clear setup documentation.
SME-type bayonet supports convenient headshell swaps and direct compatibility with SPU and Concorde cartridges.
Cons
No on-the-fly VTA/SRA adjustment; arm height requires loosening set screws and repositioning manually.
Its 311 mm pivot-to-spindle mounting distance demands a suitably accommodating turntable or armboard.
Supplied without a headshell, so users of conventional cartridges must provide one separately.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
Fremer found the AS-309R notably fast, clean and nimble with the Audio-Technica AT-ART20. Its removable-headshell convenience did not, in his listening, bring an apparent sonic penalty.
Overall Sound
91/100
With the AT-ART20, Fremer was immediately impressed by a fast, clean and nimble presentation. He felt the arm delivered the openness and agility he had heard from a more uncompromising fixed-headshell design, while retaining removable-headshell versatility.
Tracking Performance
88/100
The counterweight scale makes tracking-force setting straightforward, though Fremer recommends confirming it with an external gauge. Anti-skate proved accurate on a WallySkater when set to match tracking force, supporting confident groove control; the review gives little direct detail on resonance behavior or extreme tracking tests.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 85/100
Setup is presented as approachable, with a useful manual, a mounting-distance dimple and sensible force and anti-skate controls. Adjustment is fundamentally conventional rather than lavish, while the SME-type bayonet supports convenient cartridge and headshell options.
Adjustability
84/100
VTA/SRA adjustment requires loosening set screws and repositioning arm height, so there is no on-the-fly facility. The two-screw arrangement is intended to keep the arm vertical and secure, while the smoothly fitted counterweight allows fine tracking-force adjustment and the anti-skate dial tested accurately.
Cartridge Compatibility
86/100
The SME-type bayonet connector accommodates SPU and Concorde designs directly, setting overhang automatically with those integrated options. The arm is supplied without a headshell, and its specified cartridge-weight ranges indicate that prospective owners should match cartridge and headshell mass carefully.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
94/100
Fremer describes jewel-like hand-feel, apparent bearing precision and a notably rigid, secure collet-locking arrangement. He contrasts its construction and feel very favorably with a less costly alternative, while noting that Ortofon supplies limited technical information on the bearing and arm-tube construction.
Value for Money
90/100
At a stated MSRP of $3,469, Fremer calls the price attractive for an arm he regards as so well designed and manufactured. He specifically links the appeal to precision machining and setup ease, positioning it as a compelling option among premium 12-inch arms.
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Specifications
- Cartridge weight
- 18 to 26 g./26 to 38 g. (standard weight, including shell/heavy weight, including shell)
- Mounting distance
- 311 mm
- Effective length
- 323,5 mm
- Overhang
- 12.5mm
- Offset angle
- 16.75
- Arm shaft diameter
- 18 mm
- Recommended arm shaft hole diameter
- 22mm
- Tonearm weight
- 680g/730 g. standard weight/heavy weight
- Height above mounting surface
- 59 – 79 mm (up to top of the tonearm)
- Counterweight radial clearance
- 85 mm for standard weight; 93mm for heavy weight (measured from pivot point)
- Distance from the mounting surface to the top of the platter
- 20 – 48 mm.
- Effective arm mass
- 11 g.
Manufacturer's Description — Ortofon
Since 1953, Ortofon has been designing tonearms with the philosophy of combining craftsmanship and technology.
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-309R is a 12 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.
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-309R is a 12-inch tonearm and is also available in 9 inches: the AS-212R.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Ortofon AS-309R
- 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