Ortofon VNL Cartridge Review!

The VNL is the latest ORTOFON cartridge model that has been attracting a lot of attention in DJ circles since its launch at the end of 2020. I’ve been using this cartridge to listen to records at home, but I haven’t been able to use it at the event due to the emergency lockdown. The other day I had a chance to DJ at a daytime event, so I was finally able to use it in public. I would like to share my impressions of the ORTOFON/VNL and hope it helps those thinking about purchasing this.

ORTOFON / VNL

＜Specifications＞

• Output voltage (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec.): 6 mV
• Channel separation (1 kHz): 20 dB
• Frequency response (20 Hz-20,000 Hz): -2 dB/+4 dB
• Tracking ability (315 Hz, at recommended tracking force): Styli ”Ⅰ” 100 μm / ”Ⅱ” 90 μm / ”Ⅲ” 90 μm
• Compliance, dynamic lateral: Styli “Ⅰ” 16 μm/mN / “Ⅱ” 15 μm/mN / “Ⅲ” 14 μm/mN
• Stylus type: Spherical
• Stylus tip radius: R 18 μm
• Cantilever material: Aluminium
• Recommended tracking force: 4 g
• Internal impedance: 700 Ω
• Internal inductance: 450 mH
• Recommended load resistance: 47 kΩ
• Recommended load capacitance: 200-600 pF
• Cartridge weight: 6.5 g

↓ This is the cartridge I used before.（*This item has been discontinued.）

ORTOFON / OM NIGHTCLUB

• Output voltage: 6 mV
• Frequency response: 20 Hz-22,000 Hz
• Recommended load impedance: 47 kΩ
• Stylus type: Spherical
• Recommended tracking force: 3 g
• Weight: 14.4 g(cartridge: 5 g, shell: 9.4 g)

■ Having tried it myself...

*Please note that this is just my personal opinion.
*I used the VNL with the stylus “I” at the event.

● Sound quality

I listen to dance music record genres such as house and techno. When I was comparing the VNL to the OM NIGHTCLUB at home, my first impression was that the VNL sound was clean and powerful!! You can hear the mid-low range more clearly. The bass and bass synths can be clearly heard, which makes house and techno tunes sound more powerful than usual. The high frequencies are very comfortable to listen to, and the piercing hi-hat in dance music can be heard beautifully. The OM NIGHTCLUB was also a very popular cartridge for DJs who played 4-beat house and techno, but I felt that the VNL was better in terms of power and resolution.
When I DJ’d at this event, other DJs also used the VNL all the time, but I never got tired of listening to them. Of course, it was also because of the great sound system at the venue!! Even when I felt I pushed the sound too much, the low-range didn’t sound too loud and it didn’t buzz. The DJ who is the owner of the venue also said that the sound was elegant.

Here is a tune I think went great with the VNL cartridge.

○ Llewellyn/Recapture The Past

https://liveatrobertjohnson.bandcamp.com/album/recapture-the-past

Listening to this tune again, I think that the VNL is really great at reproducing the high frequencies! I recommend listening to this tune with the “I” stylus.

● Stability

I play house and techno, but I can’t do DJ scratching or back spinning, but when we DJ, we can be nervous, drinking, or deal with circumstances that can make us lose control. You can lose track of where you are and the needle can skip off if you rush it when back cueing. You may have records that you just have to play at that moment even if the record condition is not good. I know that the VNL reduces needle skipping, so I was able to play it without getting confused or losing control of the cueing and back cueing even if I quickly changed the next tune. I felt the stable performance of the equipment and having a peace of mind are very important for good DJing.

■ Summary

Now you can get all three types of styli, “I”, “II” and “III” in the first limited edition package. That saves 37% off the regular total price!! You can change the stylus depending on the flavor of the tune, so it is a great option for DJs and listeners as well. I’d like to enjoy listening to the difference like the “I” emphasizes the gorgeous synth, and the “III” brings out the aggressive and strong kick. So maybe now is the time to try the ORTOFON/VNL cartridge with three different styli?

*Please note that the first limited edition package is only available while supplies last.