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?

dman77703-30-2026 2:31am

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elliottbnewcombjr Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 7,711 posts 04-02-2026 at 10:41am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Excellent You may want a few accessories if you don't have them, these are just examples: record stabilizer, I use this one, it's 600 grams, verify others think that weight is ok for your TT's motor https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at618a end of play auto lift https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT6006R-Safety-Raiser/dp/B07HKX6WL7 note: there must be room to place it between the arm base and edge of platter, verify it fits with others, your dealer, or buy from Amazon with easy returns small level to leave on the TT https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRYMU0A?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_16 You might use two longer levels when initially setting up, then I leave this near the base of the tonearm, to verify nothing has settled/changed. Move it anywhere, to verify your platter is level to the plinth, which set's the tonearm level. https://www.amazon.com/6-inch-Magnetic-Torpedo-2-Pack-Measuring/dp/B07W5JKWF8/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1 Kirmuss Brush https://www.kirmussaudio.net/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=51 similar, less costly https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071DWG4C8/?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_ssd_vid stylus brush (taller fibers) to avoid hitting the stylus with the handle https://www.amazon.com/Vinyl-Supply-Co-Turntable-All-Natural/dp/B0CFPYQ7YV/ref=sr_1_21?sr=8-21
oldrooney Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 268 posts 04-02-2026 at 04:47pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I find it odd that no one mentioned the cartridge’s compliance as a factor in matching cartridge to tonearm; although the details of matching impedances and setting gain, etc. have been fascinating. @dman777 Good move to go through a dealer. Since he is sourcing the cartridge as well as the turntable, is he going to set it up for you? If so, that’s a valuable service in itself. You can spend a lot of time and money acquiring the knowledge and tools to do it yourself. (Ask me how I know.)
lewm Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 14,658 posts 04-02-2026 at 05:36pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Good point, Rooney. The Technics tonearm is medium mass and probably would mate ok with all but very high or very low compliance cartridges. In the latter case one could use a heavy aftermarket headshell to compensate for v low compliance. For example I use an Ortofon LH9000 headshell with my low compliance Koetsu. The LH9000 weighs 18g.
elliottbnewcombjr Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 7,711 posts 04-02-2026 at 05:42pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @billstevenson OP has made an excellent choice just to clarify, I think you made a typo when you typed LMN60xSL I think you meant VMN60xSL https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/line-series/vmx-series SL is their premiere stylus shape, Special Line Contact, the most surface contact area. I’ve never seen or heard one, they talk about it, and in their chart, they indicate it has the longest life of their shapes (a result of the increased contact area).
elliottbnewcombjr Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 7,711 posts 04-02-2026 at 07:33pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @audphile1 Yes, aluminum can be VERY Good. My response in another thread "I have had many Aluminum cantilevers that have sounded quite nice. The difference, to me, is the ability to successfully trace very high frequencies without distortion (age 77, I cannot even hear them), and what makes the most to me, tighter lows, and tighter imaging, but Inferior is too strong a word for aluminum IMO"