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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
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. 

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. 

motown-l
342 posts
 

My experience with AT's, in general, is that they tend to be on the bright side. I have used their Line Contacts and Shibata's and find it to remain true,  That being said, they work well with my system as my NAD phono pre and Revel speakers tend towards a more relaxed sound and the synergy is great.

vinylmad814
82 posts
 

I also Have an Ortofon Black which i put on the shelf. I found it way too harsh and seemed bright for my tastes. I think due to the Shibata stylus which digs to lowest depths of the record groove which often seems to over emphasize any sort of flaws, even micro dust. The cartridge was not pleasing to my ear. I prefer a more layered 3d presentation, lower noise level, Less “etched,” more lifelike. This is my preference though so no offence to those who love the 2m Black. Perhaps there more updated Cadenza may have more upgraded refinements. My preference is MC but if you going MM, my preference is The Clear Audio Woold line... the Virtuoso or the maestro. The names may have change but they are known to have a more MC kind of presentation however, at a higher cost but worth it in my opinion. I own the 2 MM's I have mentioned... ie CA Virtuoso and 2M Black older model

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