New Ortofon 2M Blue or Stylus 30?

[winters860]

I've been happily using an Ortofon OM 30 cartridge for about a year. A couple of weeks ago, I found a lightweight counterweight, and was able to put a Concorde (original lightweight version) to use with the Stylus 30 I'd been using on the OM body. The difference in sound wasn't dramatic.

Last week, I was able to try a friend's new Ortofon 2M Blue in my rig. Theoretically, my OM/Concorde 30 should be equivalent to the 2M Bronze, which costs about $200 more than the 2M Blue, but the new "downmarket" cartridge was much better-sounding. My conclusion is that my stylus is worn out.

I'm now faced with a choice.

Should I purchase:

A) Ortofon Stylus 30 - No longer distributed in the US, but available through importers - $200

B) Ortofon 2M Blue - Evolution of prior generator design, but a step backwards in stylus profile - $200

C) Aftermarket OM/Concorde stylus - Japanese, bonded tip, emulating the Stylus 30 or Stylus 40 - $66-200

 

[bobins08]

I like the sound of the older OM but you need a light arm.

 

[winters860]

I like the sound of the older OM but you need a light arm.

My Technics SL-1600 has a medium/medium-heavy arm. But that's mitigated by using the Concorde body and being able to use the lightweight counterweight screwed as far forward as it will go.

Still, on paper, at least, the 2M body is a better match for my arm.

 

[lini]

winters: Hmmm, if it was new, a needle 30 shouldn't be worn within just a year... When was the last time you gave it a proper cleaning?

And could you desribe the differences you heard with the 2M a bit more in particular? Maybe the phono stage of the Pioneer gets along better with the higher output of the 2M or the load capacity in your set-up fits better to its generator variant. If you still have that 2M Blue at hand and your friend is ok with that, you might also want to try how the needle 30 sounds on the 2M Blue body, which might prove some more clues...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[winters860]

Hmmm, if it was new, a needle 30 shouldn't be worn within just a year... When was the last time you gave it a proper cleaning?

And could you desribe the differences you heard with the 2M a bit more in particular? Maybe the phono stage of the Pioneer gets along better with the higher output of the 2M or the load capacity in your set-up fits better to its generator variant. If you still have that 2M Blue at hand and your friend is ok with that, you might also want to try how the needle 30 sounds on the 2M Blue body, which might prove some more clues...

Thanks, Manfred! My OM 30 was purchased used last year with an unknown number of hours on it already. I clean whenever necessary with LAST Stylus Cleaner and Magic Eraser. I didn't try putting the 30 stylus on the 2M body, but I did experiment with loading settings on both. Consistently, I noticed a dull top end and lack of detail on the 30 by comparison. I'd gotten used to it, I suppose.

 

[lini]

Hmmm... How far down in load capacity can you get with your set-up? Because an AT440MLb, preferably on a pretty light headshell, could also be an attractive option for you...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[grottyash]

The 2M series do have a slight lift in the treble, which could be why you're finding the top end dull in comparison on the OM30.

 

[winters860]

The more I read, the more I wish I'd have tried my Stylus 30 on the Blue. It would have cleared up a lot of uncertainty.

I'm wondering how much the differing characteristics of the cartridge bodies contributed to the difference in sound.