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Ortofan 2M Blue and Pioneer SA7800?

Thomas David

Thomas David

Member
I’m using a JVC QL-A7 turntable which currently has a lower end cartridge on it. I need some clarification on whether or not I need a separate phono amp to use the Ortofan 2M Blue Moving Magnet Cartridge with my Pioneer SA7800.

In the SA7800 manual there is a note that says:

“the way in which the output cords are attached will depend on the type of cartridge used. If you intend to use a low-output moving coil (MC) cartridge, always provide a special MC transformer or a head amplifier.”

I can only assume that a moving coil cartridge is different from a moving magnet cartridge. However, if they are the same then, if I’m understanding this “note” properly, I will need a a separate phono stage. Please clarify and thanks for all your help in advance.
 
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I've not heard the Bronze but I've heard the Black quite extensively and I have the Blue. Once you get to a certain point, you spend a lot more $$$ for a two or five percent increase.

The Blue is MUCH better than the Red and much above that point, I believe I'd probably just move to another line of cartridges entirely.
 
The Bronze has a better Fine Line stylus profile (i.e. line contact) which causes less record and stylus wear and lower distortion, and it has a higher compliance and lower tracking force of 1.5g versus 1.8g for the Blue, which alse helps reduce wear. It has lower resistance and inductance coils, leading to a marginally more extended bandwidth, but a slightly lower voltage output, although it’s still quite healthy thanks to the modern Neodymium high output magnets that Ortofon uses on the 2M-series, and will work into the standard MM phono input of your amplifier.

The lower inductance should also make the Bronze more resistant to the high frequency roll-off which can be caused by higher capacitance loads. Finally, the Bronze uses silver-plated copper wire, versus the copper wire of the Blue, so its wire will be marginally more efficient at carrying current (silver is about 5% lower in resistance than copper, but costs so much more that where weight and size aren't factors, using more copper is the preferred value-for-money solution!).

So it’s certainly a better cartridge in several different ways – you do get more for your extra money.

One drawback of the Bronze may be that the Blue’s lower compliance is probably slightly better matched to your JVC’s medium effective mass tonearm.
 
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ETI_5000 said:
The Bronze has a better Fine Line stylus profile (i.e. line contact) which causes less record and stylus wear and lower distortion, and it has a higher compliance and lower tracking force of 1.5g versus 1.8g for the Blue, which alse helps reduce wear. It has lower resistance and inductance coils, leading to a marginally more extended bandwidth, but a slightly lower voltage output, although it’s still quite healthy thanks to the modern Neodymium high output magnets that Ortofon uses on the 2M-series, and will work into the standard MM phono input of your amplifier.

The lower inductance should also make the Bronze more resistant to the high frequency roll-off which can be caused by higher capacitance loads. Finally, the Bronze uses silver-plated copper wire, versus the copper wire of the Blue, so its wire will be marginally more efficient at carrying current (silver is about 5% lower in resistance than copper, but costs so much more that where weight and size aren't factors, using more copper is the preferred value-for-money solution!).

So it’s certainly a better cartridge in several different ways – you do get more for your extra money.

One drawback of the Bronze may be that the Blue’s lower compliance is probably slightly better matched to your JVC’s medium effective mass tonearm.
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It’s been suggested elsewhere that the Audio Technica VM750 SH is a better value than the Ortofan Bronze. It is marginally less expensive but since I haven’t heard either I have no reference to compare.
 
I have found that going to a more exotic stylus profile is not always an improvement. For example, I find that I prefer the Ortofon 520 MkII with nude elliptical stylus over the 540 MkII with nude FG stylus. I find the 540 too analytical and bright while the 520 just hits the right note, so to speak, and is a pretty amazing cartridge - it is not dissimilar to the 2M Blue.

However, I also acknowledge that the 2M Bronze has an enhanced generator over the Blue, but this is another issue. I love the sound of the Ortofon OM20 but put the 20 stylus on the brighter 'enhanced' Super-OM body and it sounds too strident for me. On the other hand, the 10 and 30 styli seem to work better with the Super-OM body.

I don't have any experience with the 2M Bronze but I assume from its popularity that the Bronze stylus works harmoniously with the enhanced 2M body.
 
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