Ortofon - AS-309R 12" Static Balance Reference Tonearm

The Reference AS-309R 12" tonearm is the culmination of decades of experience and expertise in the field of audio engineering and is a prime example of how the Danish design philosophy and Japanese precision can produce a truly exceptional product.

Since 1953, Ortofon has been designing tonearms with the goal of combining craftsmanship and technology, and the Reference Tonearm series is the culmination of decades of experience and expertise in the field of audio engineering. It improves upon the great build of our original legacy AS-212 and AS-309 models, combining exquisite design, precision manufacturing, and attention to detail, resulting in a beautifully designed tonearm that delivers outstanding performance.

The classic and beautiful S-shaped tonearm tube is crafted from high-grade aluminum alloy, offering an optimal combination of rigidity and mass. The Reference tonearms are intuitive and easy, featuring improved high- grade bearings, a universal brass connector, and a high-strength alloy that enhances rigidity. The internal wiring uses Flexible Copper Wire to allow the arm to move freely without affecting its movement. Its beautiful design and compatibility with a wide range of cartridges and turntables make it an attractive option for any vinyl lover.

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.

With over 130 redesigned components, the Reference tonearms are crafted with unparalleled mechanical precision and advanced engineering.

Ortofon's 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.

The Reference AS-309R 12" Tonearm is a highly versatile accessory designed to cater to the needs of many turntable owners and can be adjusted in height to fit a wide range of turntable models. This 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 AS-309R 12" 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. Specifically, the standard weight is used for cartridges on headshell with a total weight of 18 to 26 g, and the heavy weight is for cartridges on headshell weighing 26 to 38 g.

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" tonearm and is also available in 9 inches as the AS-212R.

Mounting distance: 311 mm
Effective length: 323.5 mm
Overhang: 12.5 mm
Offset angle: 16.75°
Stylus point to the rear end of the headshell: 52 mm
Tonearm geometry: Baerwald alignment (IEC recommendation, the null point is 66 and 120.9 mm)
Arm shaft diameter: 18 mm
Recommended arm shaft hole diameter: 22 mm
Cartridge weight: 18 to 26 g (with standard weight, including shell)
Cartridge weight: 26 to 38 g (with heavy weight, including shell)
Tonearm weight: 680 g / 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; 93 mm for heavy weight (measured from pivot point)
Distance from mounting surface to top of platter: 20 – 48 mm
Effective arm mass: 11 g