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

Note: Sorry about the misspelled Cartridge in title. Wish I could update that. 

 

I have a  Luxman 595 Class A amplifier with Focal N1 speakers. Depending on the recording, it can be on the bright side.  I own about 20 records. 80% of them are electronic mixes from the 90s. The rest are dinosaur jr, mazzy star, and so on. 

I have found memories of playing my grandfathers fisher turntable (with Mitsubushi stereo system) which looked similar to the Technics 1200GR2, so that is the turntable I am going to get. I also have found memories of going to the record store in the 90s (sound warehouse) and they had a Bose 901 VI system (I think... they were very large hung from the cieling) with a turtable that sounded so good. 

The sound I am looking for is *not a audiophile high resolving sound. Instead, I am looking for a energetic sound with power. I do want good audio quality though. 

What I am looking at is the Ortofon 2m Black LVB 250 or the 2m black. I never hear them in person. What is everyones thoughts?

dman777
seismicfrog
16 posts
 

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.

Post removed 
mickeyb
598 posts
 

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. 

bjp9738's avatar
bjp9738
76 posts
 

I’ve just never been an Ortofon fan.  I’ve owned 2m’s up to bronze.  Didn’t like a one of them.  My recommendation would be Audio Technica AT-OC9XML moving coil.  Nude microlinear stylus, boron cantilever.  Great imaging, quiet, fantastic tracker.  And $100 less than 2m Black.

jagodby128
11 posts
 

I have a 2M black LVB that I tried on my SL1200 MK2 (I purchased the TT new in early 1990’s at Guitar Center and have used only in my stereo system). I found the LVB too bright and fatiguing and could not stick with it. I replaced it with a Nagaoka MP 500 and it sounds fantastic and I think a better match to the Technics mid mass tonearm. 

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