Thank you - the 2M Black has a fine line stylus that might not be safe for playing styrene records. As you point out; fine line stylus shapes have to be set up perfectly compared to elliptical, conical and mild elliptical stylus shapes.
I second this. I have an Audio-Technica Special Line Contact stylus, but I break out a conical for my styrene 45s. From what I understand, you technically can use a fine-line stylus on styrene, BUT it has to be set up perfectly, like you said.
Thanks for review. The stylus on my 2M Blue snapped off so I’ve been thinking of upgrading to the Black but I had no way to compare especially to the other ones you highlighted. I have a Rega RP 3.
My dealer suggested the Sumiko Blue Point #3 at I think 500 bucks but I have a P3 with an Elys 2 that honestly sounds OK to me now that I have the cartridge and motor as far away from speakers amps and other electronics. I have no Ortofon experience but to spend 700 on a mm seems like a move away from what I percieve may be an improvement with a moving coil design.
@Peter Puno Just keep in mind that you need to swap the entire cartridge if you upgrade to Black. You can get a Blue replacement stylus. The thing is, Red and Blue are mechanically and electronically identical, so you can upgrade Red to Blue, but Bronze and Black are different. Blue replacement is you easyest and cheaapest option. Good luck
@@JohnDoe-np3zk To be honest you'll have to spend a great deal more before you'll get a moving coil that will bring a significent difference and probably around another thousand bucks. That's a thousand on top of the 700.
I would strongly suggest that the Nagaoka MP-500 Moving Magnet is perhaps better than the 2M Black. It retails for approx £630 or $820. I would also correct you on the Rega Planar 10. It was not supplied with an Ortofon 2M Black, but the far superior Apheta 3 Moving Coil cartridge, which retails for £1,375 or $1,789. Of course, I'm speaking from a UK perspective and the P10 may have been supplied with a lesser cartridge in other territories. Great presentation, I like your style.
Thanks for the kind words and MP500 suggestion. Maybe I wasn’t clear in the video, but I know the P10 can come installed with Apheta 3, I bought one and swapped it out later for a Koetsu. I didn’t think I said it cakes supplied with the 2M black, but Installed a 2M black on the P10.
@@analogholic_reviews I have the P10 with the Apheta 3 and its incredible. How much better is the Keotsu? For the price I'd imagine a lot better, but I can't imagine that much of an improvement.
@@mikechivy IMO the Koetsu is nicer in areas like sustain / decay, soundstage depth, texture in my system. It also adds this sweetness to the mids that doesn't come at the expense of resolution and dynamics. I'm hoping to get a chance to try the Aphelion! I heard it on my friend's system and kept shaking my head in disbelief.
@@analogholic_reviews there’s a guy out in Cali at the needle clinic and for $450 he will retip the Apheta with boron cantilever and an upgraded diamond tip. He says it rivals the Aphelion. I’m super tempted to say the least. Hard to justify 5k for an upgrade over the Apheta, but then again, I never thought I’d own a P10 based on the price when I looked years ago.
Thanks for the video, very helpful indeed, and I agree with your observations. I have a 2M Black on my Rega RP6, and it is a very good pairing. Perhaps a video showing the set up of the 2M black? Especially as its so dependent on being dialled in accurately. Just a thought!
Wow - greaat information - thanks! I am currently running a Quintet Red MC but want to upgrade. My choices (on paper) right now are the Hana SL (or I guess the SH?), Quintet Blue, Quintet Bronze, or the 2M Black. The issue with the Q Bronze is the 0.3mV output, as my phono preamp (internal Rogue Sphinx V3) has settings for 44/60 for both mm/mc. I get plenty of gain from my Q Red with 0.5 mV. Any opinions on the $700 range cart recommendations is greatly appreciated - cheers.
Hi! It depends in the rest of your system and listening preference. The Hana SH or SL is a slightly laid back sound. The dynavector 10x5 is a bit lush sounding. The 2M black can be highly revealing if set up very carefully.
Your video reviews are most impressive....just technical enough to derive the proper amount of relevant information, but not so esoteric as to make the viewer lost interest. Nice work !
Great video, but why would recommend a cartridge that the stylus breaks easily when removing the protective lid? Also, do you think this cartridge sounds better than a Japanese Nagaoka?
Thank you! My recommendation is solely based on its sonic performance. I have not had the chance compare the 2M black to a price comparable Nagaoka like the MP300.
Ive just bought this 2m black and a technics sl1210gr2, do i need to fit a spacer between the cartridge? The manual says the cartridge is 14mm but people say its 17mm?
Great video, as always. Thanks. Do you think this could be overkill for the planar 2? I'm trying to take my modest vinyls colection more seriusley lately, so I upgraded my sony PS-HX 500 for the planar 2 with a schiit mani phono preamp. Even though it's sound way better, my problem remains: i't doesn't sound as good as the digital part of my set up (internal dac of a Hegel h95 and Chord mojo, playing cds and streaming services). Compared with cds on my set up, vinyls sound thin, lacking body and a lot definition. I know I need to upgrade the rega carbon catridge on the planar 2 for an elliptical, micro linear or even a shibata stylus, but i'm eskeptical of the posible outcome. A more refined catridge could bring me the sound i'm looking for? or maybe I need a better turntable or phono preamp first?
Hi ..new subscriber Great review my friend .. used to have a Project rpm9 with a 2m bronze .. now have a music hall mmf 9.1.. would the black or bronze be a good match for my new turntable you think .?
Hey thank you! Yes, it would be a great match but I suggest you enjoy your MMF 9.1 upgrade for a while before changing the Bronze to Black or even the LVB Black!
@@analogholic_reviews i already upgraded my turntable power cord and upgraded also the RCA cable also I will use Vincent preamplifier for my Victrola T-1 this will sound fantastic! I'm also using 2 channel mono block amplifier for better quality sound.
I look at the 2M Black from time to time for my KAB modded Sl-1200mkii, but the compliance calculations aren’t very good for it. I’ve had the Hana Sl and now the ML (which is much better dynamically); I see a lot of people using the Black on SL-1200 type tables, though.
Hi David, I think it depends on the tonearm. The SME 3009mk2 is fine example. So are the new technics. This tonearm is quite decent for the price and the mentioned aftermarket elongated slot headshell doesnt have play and I'm able to use my dr feickert protractor to dial in the alignment.
you mean you replaced the stylist on the 2-m black not the cartridge, that's what it sounded like what you said! and replace it with a 2m bronze stylus better micro line and cheaper about 200£ not 350£
Thank you so much for the review! I’ll buy this cartridge thanks to this video!
I have a 2m black & it has a huge amount of detail with depth of sound . A first class cartridge ,fully recommended ,
Awesome my friend! Waiting for the PMA1600 review next.
Thank you - the 2M Black has a fine line stylus that might not be safe for playing styrene records. As you point out; fine line stylus shapes have to be set up perfectly compared to elliptical, conical and mild elliptical stylus shapes.
I second this. I have an Audio-Technica Special Line Contact stylus, but I break out a conical for my styrene 45s. From what I understand, you technically can use a fine-line stylus on styrene, BUT it has to be set up perfectly, like you said.
I have the ortofon black mounted on my VPI scoutmaster 2. It is stunning. For the price you couldn't go wrong.
Thanks for review. The stylus on my 2M Blue snapped off so I’ve been thinking of upgrading to the Black but I had no way to compare especially to the other ones you highlighted. I have a Rega RP 3.
My dealer suggested the Sumiko Blue Point #3 at I think 500 bucks but I have a P3 with an Elys 2 that honestly sounds OK to me now that I have the cartridge and motor as far away from speakers amps and other electronics. I have no Ortofon experience but to spend 700 on a mm seems like a move away from what I percieve may be an improvement with a moving coil design.
@Peter Puno Just keep in mind that you need to swap the entire cartridge if you upgrade to Black. You can get a Blue replacement stylus. The thing is, Red and Blue are mechanically and electronically identical, so you can upgrade Red to Blue, but Bronze and Black are different. Blue replacement is you easyest and cheaapest option.
Good luck
@@JohnDoe-np3zk To be honest you'll have to spend a great deal more before you'll get a moving coil that will bring a significent difference and probably around another thousand bucks. That's a thousand on top of the 700.
I never use the guard on my stylus, and for the reasons you mentioned. I have the Technics sl-1200 M3D
Not being able to find the album in vinyl I ordered the SACD version of Girl From Bossa nova. Great Album
I have a P 10 and I have the LVP mark two black or the time and it is wonderful with the boron cantilever
Great, common sense no nonsense technical jargon free review. Thanks for sharing your opinions.
I would strongly suggest that the Nagaoka MP-500 Moving Magnet is perhaps better than the 2M Black. It retails for approx £630 or $820.
I would also correct you on the Rega Planar 10. It was not supplied with an Ortofon 2M Black, but the far superior Apheta 3 Moving Coil cartridge, which retails for £1,375 or $1,789. Of course, I'm speaking from a UK perspective and the P10 may have been supplied with a lesser cartridge in other territories.
Great presentation, I like your style.
Thanks for the kind words and MP500 suggestion. Maybe I wasn’t clear in the video, but I know the P10 can come installed with Apheta 3, I bought one and swapped it out later for a Koetsu. I didn’t think I said it cakes supplied with the 2M black, but Installed a 2M black on the P10.
@@analogholic_reviews I have the P10 with the Apheta 3 and its incredible. How much better is the Keotsu? For the price I'd imagine a lot better, but I can't imagine that much of an improvement.
@@mikechivy IMO the Koetsu is nicer in areas like sustain / decay, soundstage depth, texture in my system. It also adds this sweetness to the mids that doesn't come at the expense of resolution and dynamics. I'm hoping to get a chance to try the Aphelion! I heard it on my friend's system and kept shaking my head in disbelief.
@@analogholic_reviews there’s a guy out in Cali at the needle clinic and for $450 he will retip the Apheta with boron cantilever and an upgraded diamond tip. He says it rivals the Aphelion. I’m super tempted to say the least. Hard to justify 5k for an upgrade over the Apheta, but then again, I never thought I’d own a P10 based on the price when I looked years ago.
I totally agree with you. I own a Nagaoka MP500 myself. To me it is the best cartridge I ever had.
Thanks for the video, very helpful indeed, and I agree with your observations. I have a 2M Black on my Rega RP6, and it is a very good pairing. Perhaps a video showing the set up of the 2M black? Especially as its so dependent on being dialled in accurately. Just a thought!
That’s a great idea! May need to improve on my videography skills tho 😆
Yes, please. That’s what I’m looking for. Especially Ortofon vs. Sumiko changes.
Wow - greaat information - thanks!
I am currently running a Quintet Red MC but want to upgrade. My choices (on paper) right now are the Hana SL (or I guess the SH?), Quintet Blue, Quintet Bronze, or the 2M Black. The issue with the Q Bronze is the 0.3mV output, as my phono preamp (internal Rogue Sphinx V3) has settings for 44/60 for both mm/mc. I get plenty of gain from my Q Red with 0.5 mV.
Any opinions on the $700 range cart recommendations is greatly appreciated - cheers.
Hi! It depends in the rest of your system and listening preference. The Hana SH or SL is a slightly laid back sound. The dynavector 10x5 is a bit lush sounding. The 2M black can be highly revealing if set up very carefully.
I would like to know what you think about the Nagaoka MP 500. I think that is one of the best mm cartridge.
Your video reviews are most impressive....just technical enough to derive the proper amount of relevant information, but not so esoteric as to make the viewer lost interest. Nice work !
Great video, but why would recommend a cartridge that the stylus breaks easily when removing the protective lid? Also, do you think this cartridge sounds better than a Japanese Nagaoka?
Thank you! My recommendation is solely based on its sonic performance. I have not had the chance compare the 2M black to a price comparable Nagaoka like the MP300.
Ive just bought this 2m black and a technics sl1210gr2, do i need to fit a spacer between the cartridge? The manual says the cartridge is 14mm but people say its 17mm?
The best Moving Magnet cart of all time was the Signet TK-100LC, but that’s back when vinyl ruled the world.
My future cartrige!
You should try the nagaoka MP 500 and tell me what you think it’s like compared the the ortafon black
That’d be a nice comparison to make!
Great video, as always. Thanks.
Do you think this could be overkill for the planar 2? I'm trying to take my modest vinyls colection more seriusley lately, so I upgraded my sony PS-HX 500 for the planar 2 with a schiit mani phono preamp. Even though it's sound way better, my problem remains: i't doesn't sound as good as the digital part of my set up (internal dac of a Hegel h95 and Chord mojo, playing cds and streaming services).
Compared with cds on my set up, vinyls sound thin, lacking body and a lot definition. I know I need to upgrade the rega carbon catridge on the planar 2 for an elliptical, micro linear or even a shibata stylus, but i'm eskeptical of the posible outcome.
A more refined catridge could bring me the sound i'm looking for? or maybe I need a better turntable or phono preamp first?
I would recommend going to the new P3 with elys 2 first if you can.
@@analogholic_reviews thanks. I'll definitely consider that option if I got they chance
Hi ..new subscriber Great review my friend .. used to have a Project rpm9 with a 2m bronze .. now have a music hall mmf 9.1.. would the black or bronze be a good match for my new turntable you think .?
Hey thank you! Yes, it would be a great match but I suggest you enjoy your MMF 9.1 upgrade for a while before changing the Bronze to Black or even the LVB Black!
Great review as usual 👍
Thank you 🙏
No justified reasons to pay more for this than the turntable period!
Will this come with tools to fit on my Victrola T-1 turntable?
Yes, it will come with fasteners. I strongly advise against spending this sorta $$$ on a cartridge to use on a Victorla TT.
@@analogholic_reviews i already upgraded my turntable power cord and upgraded also the RCA cable also I will use Vincent preamplifier for my Victrola T-1 this will sound fantastic! I'm also using 2 channel mono block amplifier for better quality sound.
@@analogholic_reviews Victrola been around for over 100 years 1906 to present. That's why I'm supporting them they also have records store.
@@zztop7000 I am aware of how old the company is by all means please do support them. IMHO I wouldn't go for a 2M black on a budget tonearm on the T1.
Amazingly presented - I just subscribed to your channel. Cheers a lot and keep up the good work. Good luck to your channel Sir.
Why thank you, sir for your kind words 🙏
Would a Lyra Delos be too expensive for you to get and review?
Yes, it would be but if find one for a good deal, I just might go for it!
ive got a Delos on my ace space arm its lush ! and i had it on my rb700 before i got the space arm its a very nice combo
I look at the 2M Black from time to time for my KAB modded Sl-1200mkii, but the compliance calculations aren’t very good for it. I’ve had the Hana Sl and now the ML (which is much better dynamically); I see a lot of people using the Black on SL-1200 type tables, though.
The Hana ML would significantly be better than the 2M IMO.
I have always found to much play in a removable headshell,enough to upset fitting a cartridge
Hi David, I think it depends on the tonearm. The SME 3009mk2 is fine example. So are the new technics. This tonearm is quite decent for the price and the mentioned aftermarket elongated slot headshell doesnt have play and I'm able to use my dr feickert protractor to dial in the alignment.
you mean you replaced the stylist on the 2-m black not the cartridge, that's what it sounded like what you said!
and replace it with a 2m bronze stylus better micro line and cheaper about 200£ not 350£
Review technics 1200g
*JVC Quartz Locked Fully Automatic Turntable QL-Y66F* 1985
Good review. The Goldring 1042 is a good MM cartridge in this price range.
I have read about the goldring 1042 and hope to check it out. Thanks!
I have always fou nd to much play in a removable headshell,enough to upset fitting a cartridge
Hi David. Yes, I agree. It does depend on the tonearm/headshell construction as well.
Amazing album from Tony joe white!!!
Tony Joe white …there’s a name! Have you listened to his Uncovered album
Absolutely, we grew up listening to him, CCR, etc during our growing years 😁!
@@analogholic_reviews the album you mentioned sounds really good - i streamed it through a Schiit Modi MB dac and Asgard pre amp
@@analogholic_reviews do you own Chris Rea on vinyl ? He’s another favorite of mine
@@manuzach only on cassette tapes haha
Just remember with a Rega turntable you will need to buy a 2mm spacer.
Ortofon stylus guard is a pain !!!
I’m finally getting used to handling it with utmost care.
No.. the Goldring 1042 is that.
The LVB250 version is even better
I guess I won't be buying them because they over the price I use my regular needles f*** that