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Loving my new Ortofon 2M Red

Canuck57

Canuck57

Active Member
I bought a new Ortofon 2M Red cartridge to replace the Grado Black that I wasn't happy with in my Pioneer PL-530 TT. What a difference! :banana:

There's a vast improvement in sound quality, much more bass and more detailed mids and highs IMO. Also the output of the Grado Black was very low whereas the output of the 2M Red is much higher.

I'd highly recommend the 2M Red! :thmbsp:
 
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This line of carts has intrigued me as I never liked the sound of the OM line, but always loved the sound of the SPU, so I wanted to like Ortofon. The high output is a big deal as my vintage tube recievers need a high output cart to overcome the inherit noise that 50 year-old phono staged tend to have. We have either had the option of cheap DJ carts or vintage carts (not that I'm complaining since my PIckering V-15 and Shure M3d are some of my fav's) to get the output high enough to match the vintage phono stage. Nice that there is a new option out there.

James R.
 
If you guys don't mind me asking, but how much did they set you back? are we talking about MM here or MC? also, do you think it would be a good replacement of a Grado GC on an older Fisher deck (1978)? thx:scratch2:
 
Thanks for the comments. A new Orto is on my acquisition list, but will have to wait for some other issues that are ahead of it :)
 
rockin1150 said:
If you guys don't mind me asking, but how much did they set you back? are we talking about MM here or MC? also, do you think it would be a good replacement of a Grado GC on an older Fisher deck (1978)? thx:scratch2:
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It cost me $129 CDN (approx. $102 USD) including sales taxes & shipping, delivered to my door. It's a MM cartridge. I can't comment as to whether it would be a good replacement for your Grado GC.
 
I have been using a 2M Red with my Technics SL-D1 for a while now, and I will second the positive comments in this thread. Nice and clean top end, smooth mids, plenty of bass but not muddy at all. Very satisfying to listen to even for long periods of time.
 
Had a Grado Black, thought it was a fair sounding cartridge for the money spent. Something I would happily put on a TT that I was selling. Bought a Grado Green as an upgrade and thought WTF, this thing isn't as good as the Black.

So I bought an Ortofon 2m Red. Got my attention right away, big bass, big high end, ok mids, super high output compared to the Grado. I thought this is great, but after a few months of listening I found it edgy, had a real CD/digital quality to it I did not like for long periods of listening. I found myself turning it down. This tells me its not a good fit if you're looking for the warmth and detail of analog, and something to bring vinyl to life.

Anyway no problem selling it to a young guy getting into vinyl, without intending to sound like an ass I figure he has been raised in a digital world and I am sure the punch and output of the 2M Red appeals to him and the style of music he listens to, that's all that matters.

Found myself sitting in limbo cartridge wise, like a man with no country I drifted around trying whatever came along. Nagaoka MP20, Shure V15 iii, etc.

Was finally convinced to try Grado again, but this time stepped up to the Blue, guy I bought it from said better deal than the Silver! Anyway got it set up and so far think its fabulous. Detailed, restrained in the right way, punchy and lively. Mids just sort of bloom in front of you. For the same price point as the 2M Red, far better cartridge. The lack of colouration is ultimately its greatest appeal and its not even broken in yet. At 120.00 the Blue is an Epic deal. I like it as much as the Nagaoka but at a fraction of the cost.

Cheers

My 2 cents worth.
 
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