Cartridges, Sources
Ortofon 2M Black MM Cartridge
The Ortofon 2M Top model in the 2M series of moving magnet phono cartridges.
If you are looking for the very best MM cartridge this needs to be on your shortlist The 2M series features a removable stylus allowing replacement when it becomes worn. The body is retained and reused. You can replace like for like or you can fit the black stylus(this doesn’t give you full black performance but it gets close).
The Ortofon 2M black will work well in a range of decks. The character of the cartridge suits a wide range of musical taste,the sound is dynamic and tuneful with excellent ability to pick out finer details within the recording. This cartridge offers greater dynamics and resolution in comparison to the 2M Bronze. The sound is more open and detailed.The 2M Black is a true all-round performer.
Please get in touch if you would like to hear it in your system.
As with all 2M cartridges, you can replace the stylus when it is worn out. This means you don’t have to replace the entire cartridge. It is simple to do this. To check the compatibility of a replacement stylus, visit http://www.henleyaudio.co.uk
You can find out more about the other cartridges by following this link: https://dnaaudio.co.uk/product_brand/ortofon/
Ortofon 2M Black Specification.
Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. – 5 mV
Channel balance at 1 kHz – 1 dB
Channel separation at 1 kHz – 26 dB
Channel separation at 15 kHz – 15 dB
Frequency range at – 3dB – 20-31.000 Hz
Frequency response – 20-20.000 + 2 / – 0 dB
Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force – 80 µm
Compliance, dynamic, lateral – 22 µm/mN
Stylus type – Nude Shibata
Stylus tip radius – r/R 6/50 µm
Tracking force range – 1.4-1.7 g (14-17 mN)
Tracking force, recommended – 1.5 g (15 mN)
Tracking angle – 20°
Internal impedance, DC resistance – 1.2 kOhm
Internal inductance – 630 mH
Recommended load resistance – 47 kOhm
Recommended load capacitance – 150-300 pF
Cartridge colour, body/stylus – Black/Black
Cartridge weight – 7.2 g
2M PnP MkII cartridge with integrated headshell weight – 20 g
2M PnP MkII cartridge with integrated headshell length – 52 mm
Replacement stylus unit – 2M Black (interchangeable with 2M Bronze)
2M Series styli interchangeability:
The 2M Series’ engines, coils and magnets configurations are not identical: Red and Blue are identical, so are the Bronze and Black and so are the true mono variants 2M Mono and 2M 78. Likewise, 2M series styli are interchangeable within the below combinations:
– 2M Red, 2M Blue and 2M Silver
– 2M Bronze and 2M Black
– 2M Mono and 2M 78
Compatibility with Rega brand TT/TA:
REGA brand cartridges’ height from stylus tip to the top cartridge mounting surface is lower than standard. Therefore you would need spacers to ensure the correct set-up of the Ortofon cartridge. Please read about cartridge set-up and alignment on tonearm on our FAQ.
Adjusting the height of your Rega tonearm is easy with a spacer set. For correct VTA 3.2 – 4 mm spacers should be enough for a 2M cartridge.