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

I feel like I should let @viridian answer this and then I can echo his comments. Lol just kidding there V…

@dman777 do you know how to setup and align a phono cartridge? Can you please list the tools you used to mount the 2M Black…including how you set VTA, Overhang, Zenith, Azimuth and VTF?

dman, If the Luxman phono has no attenuator, are you not also using a linestage? By definition linestages have attenuators.

Viridian, I am never quite sure what the Japanese mean in the way they use certain terms, but I take their definition of "sensitivity" where they are referring to phono inputs to indicate the lowest output cartridge one should use into those inputs to drive the circuit to full output. If that is the case, the spec is analogous to amplifier input sensitivity. So, yeah, 4.7mV should be plenty to drive a phono labeled 2.5mV minimum, and by the same token, that much cartridge output ought not to be excessive for those same phono inputs. I am focusing on why dman can’t attenuate the signal, apparently.

The much more puzzling custom the Japanese have is to label SUTs by the internal R of the cartridge that ideally should or could be used to drive them. 

@audphile1 the hifi shop installed it and adjusted it for me. I didn’t do any work at all on it. 

@lewm  AI said:

You are using a linestage—it’s the part of your Luxman that controls the volume. The "problem" is that your Ortofon is a very "loud" guest, and your Luxman’s linestage is being forced to do a lot of work to keep that guest quiet.

@dman777 AI hallucinations is a common event. It’ll tell you whatever you want to hear. Here’s what I got when I asked if luxman 595 and ortofon black LVB are a good match…

Technical Match

The technical specifications of the Luxman’s built-in phono stage and the Ortofon cartridge align almost perfectly:

• Load Resistance: The Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 requires a standard 47kΩ load. The Luxman L-595A SE’s MM input is factory-set to exactly 47kΩ, ensuring a flat frequency response. 

• Gain/Sensitivity: The cartridge has a healthy output of 5.0mV, which is ideal for the Luxman’s MM input sensitivity of 2.5mV. This provides plenty of "headroom" and allows the Luxman to operate in its lowest-noise range without needing excessive volume. 

• Capacitance: Ortofon recommends a load capacitance of 150–300 pF. While Luxman typically designs their phono stages with low internal capacitance (usually around 100pF), when you add the capacitance of your turntable’s tonearm cables (typically 100-150pF), you will land right in the "sweet spot" for this cartridge. 

Quiet frankly, I would blame either the set up of the cartridge or you inadvertently changing VTF or VTA when you were hooking it all up. Distortion can be caused by tracking errors. 
There should be no distortion. Hiss at high volume is normal. 
You need to check your setup