Ortofon 2M Black

Overview

The Ortofon 2M Black is the flagship of the standard 2M moving magnet series, engineered by the Danish cartridge specialist Ortofon, founded in 1918. It combines a nude Shibata diamond stylus with an aluminum cantilever, a pairing chosen to trace the finest high-frequency information in the groove while keeping record wear low. With roughly 5mV of output, it plugs directly into any standard moving magnet (MM) phono input, so it fits easily into a wide range of systems without a step up transformer.

The Shibata profile presents a large contact area to the record surface, allowing it to read subtle detail and inner-groove information that a conical or elliptical stylus can miss. Ortofon's Split Pole Pins help stabilize the magnetic field and improve frequency linearity across the audible range. The result is a cartridge with an open, refined character that rewards well recorded material and carefully set up front ends.

The 2M Black is aimed at the listener who wants reference-level performance from the moving magnet format, whether upgrading a capable belt drive or direct drive turntable or building a focused analog system. Its 7.2g body and standard half inch mounting make installation straightforward on most tonearms designed for cartridges of this caliber.

Key Features

• Nude Shibata diamond stylus for fine high-frequency detail and low record wear
• Aluminum cantilever tuned for precise groove tracing
• Top of the standard Ortofon 2M moving magnet range
• Output of about 5mV compatible with any standard MM phono input
• Split Pole Pins for improved magnetic field stability and frequency linearity
• Recommended tracking force of about 1.5g
• Standard half inch mounting for broad tonearm compatibility
• Lightweight 7.2g body suited to a wide range of tonearms
• Designed and built by Ortofon, a phono cartridge specialist since 1918

How the 2M Black Compares

Ortofon 2M Black vs Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250

The 2M Black LVB 250 sits higher in the Ortofon range and shares the Shibata stylus philosophy while being a special edition variant. Choose the standard 2M Black for reference moving magnet performance in a familiar package, and step up to the LVB 250 if you want the elevated commemorative version. Both plug into a standard MM input and suit detail-focused listeners. See the Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250.

Ortofon 2M Black vs Ortofon 2M Bronze

The 2M Bronze uses a nude Fine Line stylus while the 2M Black moves up to a nude Shibata profile for even finer high-frequency tracing. Both are moving magnet designs with roughly 5mV output that work with any MM input, so the choice comes down to how much resolution you want from the standard 2M series. The Bronze is an excellent detailed performer, and the Black extends that refinement further at the top of the standard range. See the Ortofon 2M Bronze.

Ortofon 2M Black vs Ortofon 2M Black Verso

The 2M Black Verso is electrically identical to the standard 2M Black but reverse-oriented for turntables that require that fit. Sound character, stylus, and output are the same, so the decision is purely about your tonearm and headshell geometry. Choose the standard 2M Black for conventional mounting and the Verso only when your turntable calls for the reversed orientation. See the Ortofon 2M Black Verso.

Recommended Turntable and Phono Stage

The 2M Black is a moving magnet cartridge, so pair it with a turntable at its level and any phono stage with an MM input. Here are catalog components to build around it.

• Audio-Technica AT-LPW50PB Turntable A fully manual belt-drive turntable whose tonearm handles cartridges of this caliber, letting the Shibata stylus show its detail on a stable platform.
• TEAC TN-3B-SE Turntable A manual belt-drive deck with a straightforward setup that suits the 2M Black's 7.2g weight and standard mounting.
• Luxman E-250 Phono Preamplifier A refined phono stage with a moving magnet input that complements the open, detailed character of the Shibata stylus.
• Parasound XRM Phono Preamplifier A clean, capable MM-capable phono preamplifier that provides accurate gain and RIAA equalization for the 5mV output of the 2M Black.
• Yamaha A-S801 Integrated Amplifier An integrated amplifier with a built-in phono stage, offering a tidy single-box solution to drive a system built around the 2M Black.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of cartridge is the Ortofon 2M Black?
It is a moving magnet phono cartridge and the top of the standard Ortofon 2M series.

Do I need a special phono stage for the 2M Black?
No. With about 5mV of output it works with any standard moving magnet (MM) phono input.

What stylus does the 2M Black use?
It uses a nude Shibata diamond stylus on an aluminum cantilever for fine high-frequency detail and low record wear.

What tracking force does Ortofon recommend?
The recommended tracking force is about 1.5g.

How much does the cartridge weigh?
The 2M Black weighs about 7.2g.

What are Split Pole Pins?
They are a design feature that helps stabilize the magnetic field and improve frequency linearity across the audible range.

Will the 2M Black fit my turntable?
It uses a standard half inch mounting, so it fits most tonearms designed for cartridges of this level. Confirm your tonearm accepts a cartridge of about 7.2g.

How does the 2M Black differ from the 2M Bronze?
The Bronze uses a nude Fine Line stylus while the Black steps up to a nude Shibata profile for finer high-frequency tracing. Both are MM designs with roughly 5mV output.

What is the difference between the 2M Black and the Verso version?
The Verso is electrically identical to the standard 2M Black but reverse-oriented for turntables that require that fit. The sound and specs are the same.

What is the Premounted version?
The Premounted variant is the same cartridge factory-mounted and aligned on an Ortofon headshell for easier installation.

Is the 2M Black suitable for mono records?
It is a stereo cartridge for standard LPs. Ortofon offers dedicated mono cartridges in other lines if you have a mono record collection.

Does the Shibata stylus wear records more quickly?
No. The Shibata profile presents a large contact area that reads fine detail while keeping record wear low when set up correctly.

Can I use the 2M Black with an integrated amplifier?
Yes, as long as the integrated amplifier has a moving magnet phono input, such as the Yamaha A-S801 in our catalog.

What turntables pair well with the 2M Black?
Capable belt-drive or direct-drive decks with a tonearm suited to this cartridge's level work well, such as the Audio-Technica AT-LPW50PB or TEAC TN-3B-SE.

Does the 2M Black require a step up transformer?
No. A step up transformer is used for low output moving coil cartridges. The 2M Black is a moving magnet design and does not need one.

Is Ortofon a reputable cartridge maker?
Yes. Ortofon is a Danish company founded in 1918 and one of the world's leading phono cartridge makers.

Can I upgrade from the 2M Bronze to the 2M Black?
Yes. The 2M Black shares the same body platform and mounting, so upgrading within the standard 2M range is straightforward.

What phono preamplifiers do you recommend for it?
Any MM-capable phono stage such as the Luxman E-250 or Parasound XRM in our catalog provides accurate gain and RIAA equalization for the 5mV output.

Does the 2M Black come with mounting hardware?
Yes. It includes a stylus guard, mounting hardware, and setup documentation.

Why buy from All Elite Audio?
We are an authorized Ortofon dealer in MD with the 2M Black in stock, offering genuine products, full manufacturer warranty support, and expert guidance on building a system around your cartridge.