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

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.

The 2m black is a bright cartridge out of the box. I own 2 of them. 1 on a micro sseiki bl/91 with an acos lustre gst-801 tonearm and that’s fully broken in and sounds great. My other is on a restored Thorens td-124 with an sme 3009 s2 tonearm. That’s a newer cart and is still breaking in. You will need to give that cart a solid 50hrs before it smooths out. Once broken in, it’s a wonderful mm cart. One of the best available.