Ortofon 2M Black Review

[jetblack]

Today started out in grand fashion in this neck of the woods. The temp is in the mid 60’s, with a breeze, so I felt like breezin’. I decided to do some serious listenin’ to a recently acquired 2M black MM cartridge. Former cartridge was an AT966SXa.

The 2M has a nude shibata stylus. There are four basic stylus tip shapes: spherical, elliptical, hyper-elliptical, and shibata. They range from round to narrow in shape.

First LP selection up on the ‘block’:

Joe Beck ~ Beck
(KUDU Records, 1975)

Side 1
Star Fire
Cactus
Texas Ann

Side 2
Red Eye
Café Black Rose
Brothers and Others

Instruments: Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Drums, Percussion, Alto Sax, Violin, Cello

Two things that I immediately noticed were increased dynamics and channel separation. The percussion, sax and guitar were ‘in my face’ dynamic. When the drumstick contacted the drumhead, I was very aware of it, and it had the snap that I was accustomed to, being a former percussionist. When the drumstick contacted the cymbal, you heard the immediate impact, as well as the cymbal resonance afterward. The sax was wailin’, what else can I say? It was obvious when the guitar was plucked vs strummed.

Second LP selection up on the ‘block’:

Stanley Clarke ~ School Days
(Nemperor Records, 1976)

Side 1
School Days
Quiet Afternoon
The Dancer

Instruments: Bass, Keyboards, Guitar, Piano, Drums, Piccolo Bass, Organ, Percussion

I picked this LP because:

1) I remember dynamic bass and drums on this LP.
2) I haven’t listened to this LP in awhile

Listening to the first song, I could tell which tom-tom the drummer was playing. The keyboards and bass were more dominant than on the first LP, so I’m thinking the recording and mastering process should be included in a music evaluation.

When I switched the system to satellite XM, the music was a bit subdued, although the bass was not. The bass sounded ‘crisper’ and more dynamic with the LP. Keep in mind that the digital XM signal was passed thru the MCD500. This experience got me to thinking. I’ll go back listen to the LP and the XM, while observing the average and peak output on the 501 meters. So, I listened to both, while setting the volume to give me an average output of 0.5 watts. I listened to both sources, while switching the 501 meter switch between ‘Meter’ and ‘Hold’. The LP gave me a peak of 5 W. The XM gave me a peak of 2 W. Perhaps that’s an indication of the difference in ‘dynamics’.

At the risk of repeating myself, I was impressed with the dynamics and channel separation of the 2M. Yep, this was a good day. I’m still trying to wipe the smile off my face.

Future evaluations:
LP vs CD
LP vs SACD
LP setup using WW RCA’s
Pick an LP with horn instruments

[MC352]

I have been thinking about getting this cartridge. Every one I talk to who has one seems to really like it.

[RodWelst]

Looking forward to your :

"Future evaluations:
LP vs CD
LP vs SACD
LP setup using WW RCA’s
Pick an LP with horn instruments"