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

Everybody has their favorite cartridge of course and every cartridge mentioned here has merit.  I want to offer a word of caution, however.  Be careful that in your enthusiasm for your individual favorite you do not make statements that have no basis.  It is important to provide encouragement that reinforces the good decisions that have been made by each of us.  With that said let me next explain that I am fortunate to own and enjoy a large number of cartridges.  For turntables in regular use:  VPI HW-40, HW-19 Mk III, Mitsubishi LT-22 (new to me), and Technics SL1200 GAE, with the latter being used the most for cartridge evaluation because of the interchangeable head shell feature.  A favorite cartridge for many years has been an Ortofon 2M Black, recently up graded to LVB, an 2M Mono SE, a Cadenza Black, and a Windfeld; a SoundSmith Hyperion, most often affixed to the HW-40; Audio Technica AT ART 20, AT 33PTG/II, ATVMN60xSL.  These are just a few among many.  So what I am about to say is based on personal, recent listening experience.  Every one of these cartridges is excellent.  They are all equally dynamic.  They all have quite excellent detail retrieval.  I assert that the prejudices expressed in some of the posts in this thread are not supportable.  A cartridge is part, but only one part of your system.  Consider that every detail matters.  Please don't make statements that reflect fantasy and prejudice.  It is perfectly legitimate to have an opinion.  Just say that in your opinion thus and so, rather than state something as fact that just is not so.  As an example, MC cartridges are not more dynamic than MM cartridges.  Moreover, they do not have measurably lower levels of distortion by design.  They have to be evaluated on a case by case basis with no two examples of even otherwise identical cartridges measuring the same.  How do I know that?  Because I have measured using AnalogMagik. 

I don't have the LVB but, I do have the black. I really like it. I play a lot of jazz and it really makes horns sound good. I think for the money it's a great cartridge. Ortofon is a great brand. I'm using an Ifi phono3 BL preamp as well. It's hard now to tell you exactly where one starts and the other finishes.

I think both contribute a fairly bright sound. I like the seperation I think the Black gives to my recordings. All in all Ortofon black is a great way to go.

As a follow up... I got the turntable set up for the first time this evening. It is playing on my Luxman 595 and Focal Soprna n1s and REL 830 sub. 

I am finding it way to bright and very loud. I do enjoy it’s engery though... but it’s def. got to much loudness. 

1) Could the loudness damage my speakers after prolonged listening? Like I can hear some kind of distortion in the background but I can’t tell if that is just because it is vinyl since I have been using digital for so long. Also, some hissing from the highs when the signer sings. 

2) Would the Hana ML be a better cartridge? Or would it be to much the other way as in to low in loudness and lack energy?

3) Would the Nagaoka MP-500 Cartridge be the best middle of the road cart? 

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I don't understand "loud".  I am sure your Luxman has an attenuator.  Use it to reduce the sound pressure level to your comfort level.  Having done that, now what do you hear?  Or, what do you mean by "loud"?