Which Cartrudge For My Upcoming Technics 1200 GR 2 Turnable - Looking at Ortofon 2m Black

I have the 2M Black on the same TT and love it. My phono pre is an older PS Audio GCPH. I have used this setup on a variety of music for 5 yrs and have no itch to change anything. 

Exciting to get back to vinyl, many promote your TT choice.

A quick and basic look at cartridge cost and technology,

not absolutes, my personal generalities:

I favor Audio Technica, both current and vintage

every one I have ever bought in my youth or now age 77 has sounded involving, natural, nothing bright or edgy about them to my ears. All voices, especially female, are true to my ears. They also cost less than many competitors for ’equal’ technology.

Stylus Shape:

advanced, larger contact/longer lasting stylus shapes started a long time ago with Shibata, and many versions, with miniscule variations were created to be separately patentable, they are essentially the same to my ears: MicroLine; Line Contact; SAS; Special Line Contact; Fritz Geyer; Van Den Hull....

I have found that debris clings to the back edge of Fritz Geyer for some reason, I don’t know why, my experience with only 2 of them.

IOW, Shibata is very good, but I consider the others ’equally very good’

Cantilevers:

aluminum is most common, and if a good price, fitting a budget is fine

Stiffer/Lighter is better, Gems like Sapphire, Tubes (no longer made). Currently most makers are using Boron Rod Cantilevers for their premium and more costly models. Diamond is used for ultimate models.

As cost goes up, cantilever performance tightens, you will see wider channel separation (very high twenties, low thirties) and sometimes tighter channel balance, (0.5db).which affects more precise Imaging more than sound characteristics.

Cost:

2M Black E599 is USD $688.

Shibata on Aluminum Cantilever, channel separation 26db, channel balance 1.0db, one of it’s unique characteristics is it’s strong signal output of 5mv.

AT745xML is only $329. and has an upgraded Boron Cantilever (and body threads so no bottom nut is needed for mounting). Similar separation and balance,

The signal strength is lower: 3.7mv. That is average, normal for MM, however IF you want more volume, from a weaker amount of gain, 5.0mv is the better choice.

So, essentially, you can get the same or better for less cost, but pay attention to the subtle details.

See what you can buy for $688 USD, check the technology and if needed, pay attention to signal strength.

/////////////////////////////////////

Ortofon 2m Black LVB (it’s boron upgrade) is E999 = $1,147 USD, that’s a lot, especially since it does not have superior Imaging specs. Still 5.0mV output 

//////////////////////////////

Tracking Force.

A lot of current cartridges track at 2.0 or 2.5 grams, nothing wrong with that.

I have ventured into Vintage cartridges, with tubes or beryllium cantilevers, no longer made, (with higher separation and tighter channel balance) that track at 1.25 grams. It’s less wear on both the vinyl grooves, AND less wear on the stylus,

AND, it requires less anti-skate force, which is hard to get right.

If you are off by 50%, it’s 50% of 1.25 grams, i.e. .60 grams too much or too little; whereas, if tracking at 2.5 grams, the same 50% error is 1.25 grams too much or too little.

 

I spent quite a bit of time with the 2M Black on a Pro-Ject Classic, running into the MM port of a McIntosh MA352 — a nice, simple setup without needing an external phono preamp.

What stood out immediately was the detail. The highs were clean and extended, and the bass had real weight and definition. It’s an impressive cartridge when everything is right.

But that was also its weakness. The 2M Black is unforgiving — even minor surface noise, a faint scratch, or a bit of debris gets pushed forward. I found myself reaching only for pristine records to really enjoy it.

I eventually moved to a Hana SH. Still running into the MA352’s MM input, but with a different character: just as detailed — possibly more dimensional — yet far more tolerant of real-world vinyl. It lets you relax and enjoy the record, not just analyze it.

Both @audphile1 and ​​​​@elliottbnewcombjr have given you the best advice.  I own a 2M LVB, a AT LMN60xSL and an AT ART20 and have to say that although all are excellent, the standout more and more as I listen to it is the LMN60xSL.  No it is not better than the ART 20, but it is awful close.  My 2M LVB has been with me for years, and has been a favorite.  It started out as a 2M Black and was upgraded the last time it needed a new stylus.  It is really, really good.  When I first bought it at the same time I also bought an AT 150 ANV, which won a Mikey Fremer shoot out on Analog Planet years ago.  That was also a very good cartridge, but I personally liked the 2M Black better.  Then the 2M LVB came out and I like it better yet, it is soother, more refined. sweeter in the upper registers.  It really shines on classical music.  Then recently along came this LMN60xSL.  It is more than a little better, it has a level of clarity and openness reflective of measured lower distortion (via AnalogMagik), greater detail in fact all the things one expects not from a MM, but from a MC.  It is truly a standout.  I cannot say enough about this cartridge.

When I went through this same decision in November when I selected my 1200GR, I found a Hana SH Mk1 on closeout as they have recently released the Mk2. I am thrilled with mine. Wonderful sound. Alas it's my first deck so I don't have much to compare it against. Note: my phono pre is a Parks Audio Waxwing and it is a wonderful device.

Good luck with the new table - I'm sure you will love it as much as I love mine.