Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250

Overview

The Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 is the flagship of the 2M moving magnet range, created as a Ludwig van Beethoven 250 anniversary evolution of the celebrated 2M Black. It shares the family's split pole pin design and its roughly 5mV output, which means it drops into any standard moving magnet (MM) phono input without a step-up transformer or special MC stage. That accessibility, paired with genuine reference-grade tracing, is exactly what makes this cartridge special.

At its heart is a nude Shibata diamond stylus, a profile with a narrow contact radius that reaches deep into the groove for extended high frequency detail and precise channel information. For the LVB 250 edition, Ortofon retuned the suspension and revised the internal wiring to lower distortion and lift resolution beyond the standard 2M Black. The result is a cleaner, more finely resolved presentation while retaining the fundamental character of the 2M platform.

This cartridge is for the listener who wants the top of the moving magnet ladder without moving to a low output moving coil design. It suits medium mass tonearms and mid to high level turntables, and rewards a careful setup with a recommended tracking force of about 1.5g.

Key Features

• Flagship of the Ortofon 2M moving magnet range
• Ludwig van Beethoven 250 anniversary evolution of the 2M Black
• Nude Shibata diamond stylus for extended detail and precise groove tracing
• Retuned suspension for lower distortion and finer resolution
• Revised internal wiring over the standard 2M Black
• Roughly 5mV output works with any standard moving magnet (MM) phono input
• Recommended tracking force of about 1.5g
• Split pole pin design carried through the 2M platform

How the 2M Black LVB 250 Compares

Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 vs Ortofon 2M Black

The 2M Black uses a nude Shibata stylus and sits just below the LVB 250 in the range. The LVB 250 builds on that same platform with a retuned suspension and revised wiring aimed at lower distortion and finer resolution. Choose the 2M Black for the classic Shibata presentation, or the LVB 250 for the top of the moving magnet ladder. See the Ortofon 2M Black.

Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 vs Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 Premounted

The Premounted version is the identical LVB 250 cartridge factory mounted and aligned on an Ortofon SH 4 headshell. It is the same electrical and mechanical design, simply prepared for tonearms that accept a detachable headshell. Pick the standard cartridge for a fixed headshell mount, or the Premounted for a plug and play headshell fit. See the Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 Premounted.

Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 vs Ortofon 2M Bronze Verso

The 2M Bronze Verso is a reverse oriented version of the 2M Bronze, which uses a nude Fine Line stylus, positioning it a step below the Black models in the range. The LVB 250 sits at the top of the 2M line with its nude Shibata stylus and retuned suspension. Both share the same MM output level, so the choice comes down to stylus profile and where you sit in the range. See the Ortofon 2M Bronze Verso.

Recommended Turntable and Phono Stage

Ortofon builds cartridges only, so here are catalog components to build a system around the 2M Black LVB 250, each with a moving magnet compatible signal path.

• Audio-Technica AT-LP7X Turntable A fully manual belt drive deck with an adjustable tonearm well suited to a reference moving magnet cartridge at this tracking force. Its careful setup capability lets the LVB 250 show its resolution.
• TEAC TN-4D-SE Turntable A direct drive deck with a stable platter and a solid tonearm that pairs neatly with a medium mass cartridge like the LVB 250. It provides consistent speed for the cartridge's detailed tracing.
• Luxman E-250 Phono Preamplifier A dedicated phono stage with a moving magnet input that complements the LVB 250's roughly 5mV output. Its quiet, refined gain stage lets the Shibata stylus detail come through cleanly.
• Parasound JC3+ Phono Preamplifier A reference level phono preamplifier with a low noise moving magnet input suited to a flagship 2M cartridge. It gives the LVB 250 a clean, high resolution path to your amplifier.
• Yamaha A-S801 Integrated Amplifier An integrated amplifier with a built in moving magnet phono stage, offering an all in one path for the LVB 250 without a separate preamp. A tidy choice for a compact reference system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of cartridge is the 2M Black LVB 250?
It is a moving magnet cartridge, the flagship of Ortofon's 2M range and a Ludwig van Beethoven 250 anniversary evolution of the 2M Black.

Does it work with a standard moving magnet phono input?
Yes. With an output of about 5mV it works with any standard moving magnet (MM) phono input, and no step-up transformer or MC stage is needed.

What stylus does it use?
It uses a nude Shibata diamond stylus, a profile with a narrow contact radius for extended detail and precise groove tracing.

How is it different from the standard 2M Black?
The LVB 250 builds on the 2M Black platform with a retuned suspension and revised internal wiring aimed at lower distortion and finer resolution.

What is the recommended tracking force?
About 1.5g. Set it accurately with a stylus gauge for the best performance and record care.

Do I need a special phono stage?
No. Any standard moving magnet phono input works, whether a dedicated phono preamplifier or an integrated amplifier with a built in MM stage.

What is the output voltage?
Approximately 5mV at 1 kHz, which is the standard moving magnet level.

Is this a low output moving coil cartridge?
No. It is a moving magnet cartridge, so it does not need the specialized MC input or step-up transformer that low output moving coil designs require.

What tonearms suit this cartridge?
It suits medium mass tonearms on mid to high level turntables. Careful alignment and tracking force setup let it perform its best.

How does it compare to the 2M Bronze?
The 2M Bronze uses a nude Fine Line stylus and sits a step below the Black models. The LVB 250 tops the 2M line with a nude Shibata stylus and retuned suspension.

Is there a Premounted version?
Yes. The Premounted version is the same cartridge factory mounted and aligned on an Ortofon SH 4 headshell for tonearms that accept a detachable headshell.

Is there a Verso version of this model?
The Verso variants are electrically identical but reverse oriented for turntables that require that fit. Check our catalog for available 2M Verso options.

Can I use it for mono records?
It is a stereo cartridge suited to standard stereo LPs. Dedicated mono cartridges exist in other Ortofon lines specifically for mono records.

What is the cartridge weight?
It weighs about 7.2g, which matters when balancing your tonearm and checking compatibility.

Does it come with mounting hardware?
Yes. It ships with mounting hardware, a stylus guard, and setup documentation.

Who is Ortofon?
Ortofon is a Danish phono cartridge specialist founded in 1918 and one of the world's leading cartridge makers. All Elite Audio is an authorized dealer.

Is the stylus replaceable?
The 2M range uses replaceable stylus assemblies. Contact us for the correct genuine Ortofon replacement for this model.

Will it improve resolution over the 2M Black?
The LVB 250's retuned suspension and revised wiring are designed to lower distortion and lift resolution beyond the standard 2M Black, within the same platform.

What warranty does it carry?
It carries a 1 year parts and labor warranty from Ortofon for the original owner when purchased from an authorized dealer.

Why buy from All Elite Audio?
All Elite Audio is an authorized Ortofon dealer in MD, so your cartridge is genuine and fully warranty backed. We offer expert setup guidance and system matching to help you build the right turntable and phono stage around it.