Ortofon 2M Bronze

Overview

The Ortofon 2M Bronze Premounted is the standard 2M Bronze moving magnet cartridge factory-mounted and precisely aligned on an Ortofon SH-4 headshell. It is designed to drop straight onto any turntable that uses a removable bayonet or SME-type headshell, removing the delicate task of alignment and overhang setup so you can be playing records in minutes. Electrically and sonically it is identical to the standard 2M Bronze, with the same moving magnet generator, roughly 5mV output, and nude Fine Line stylus.

At the heart of the cartridge sits Ortofon's 2M engine, developed in the tradition of the company's cartridge craft since 1918. The nude Fine Line stylus and its refined cantilever trace the groove with excellent detail retrieval and a natural, open character, while the split pole pins and silver-plated copper coils help deliver consistent, well-defined output. Because it is a high output moving magnet design, it works with any standard MM phono input on a receiver, integrated amplifier, or dedicated phono stage.

This premounted version is ideal for owners of turntables with interchangeable headshells who want a resolving, easy-living upgrade without wrestling with a protractor. It suits listeners who value a balanced, engaging presentation across all genres and who appreciate the convenience of a plug-and-play install that arrives correctly set up from the factory.

Key Features

• Standard 2M Bronze cartridge factory-mounted and aligned on an Ortofon SH-4 headshell
• Moving magnet design compatible with any standard MM phono input
• Nude Fine Line stylus for detailed, natural groove tracing
• Approximately 5mV output for easy matching with common phono stages
• Split pole pins for improved high frequency reproduction
• Silver-plated copper coil wire for consistent output
• Drop-in ready for turntables with removable bayonet or SME-type headshells
• Recommended 1.5g tracking force for stable, well-behaved playback
• Built on Ortofon's cartridge heritage dating to 1918

How the 2M Bronze Premounted Compares

Ortofon 2M Bronze Premounted vs Ortofon 2M Black

The 2M Black sits higher in the 2M range and uses a nude Shibata stylus in place of the Bronze's nude Fine Line, giving it an even more refined and precise reading of the groove. Both are moving magnet designs with roughly 5mV output that work with any standard MM input. Choose the Bronze Premounted for its balanced, engaging character and plug-and-play headshell fit, or step up to the Black when you want the additional resolution the Shibata profile can offer. See the Ortofon 2M Black.

Ortofon 2M Bronze Premounted vs Ortofon 2M Bronze

This is the identical cartridge to the standard 2M Bronze, simply factory-mounted and aligned on an Ortofon headshell. The sound is the same nude Fine Line performance in both cases. Pick the Premounted version if your turntable uses a removable headshell and you want to skip alignment, or the standard Bronze if you plan to mount it directly to a fixed headshell tonearm. See the Ortofon 2M Bronze.

Ortofon 2M Bronze Premounted vs Ortofon 2M Bronze Verso

The 2M Bronze Verso is electrically and sonically identical to the standard Bronze but reverse-oriented for turntables that require that fit. The Premounted version instead comes ready-installed on an Ortofon headshell for tonearms with removable headshells. Match your choice to the mechanical requirements of your tonearm rather than any difference in sound. See the Ortofon 2M Bronze Verso.

Ortofon 2M Bronze Premounted vs Audio Technica AT-VM750xSH/H

The Audio Technica AT-VM750xSH/H is another premounted moving magnet package, pairing a Shibata stylus with a factory headshell. It offers a lively, detailed voicing characteristic of the VM line, while the 2M Bronze Premounted brings the balanced, natural Fine Line character of Ortofon's 2M series. Both install quickly on turntables with removable headshells, so the decision comes down to the tonal character you prefer. See the Audio Technica AT-VM750xSH/H.

Recommended Turntable and Phono Stage

The 2M Bronze Premounted is a moving magnet cartridge, so build around a turntable with a removable headshell and a phono stage with a moving magnet input. Here are catalog components that suit its resolution and level.

• Audio-Technica AT-LP140XP Turntable This professional direct-drive turntable uses a removable headshell, making it a natural home for the premounted Bronze and its plug-and-play design. Its stable platter and speed support the cartridge's detailed tracking.
• Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB Turntable A direct-drive deck with an interchangeable headshell that accepts the premounted cartridge directly. It gives the Bronze a solid, adjustable platform for everyday listening.
• MoFi UltraPhono Pro Phono Preamplifier This MM/MC phono stage provides a clean moving magnet input ideal for the 2M Bronze's 5mV output. Its accurate RIAA equalization lets the Fine Line stylus's detail come through clearly.
• Luxman E-250 Phono Preamplifier A refined dedicated phono stage with a moving magnet input that pairs well with the Bronze's balanced character. It rewards the cartridge with low noise and a natural presentation.
• Yamaha A-S801 Integrated Amplifier An integrated amplifier with a built-in moving magnet phono stage, letting you run the 2M Bronze into a single tidy system with plenty of power for most speakers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the 2M Bronze Premounted and the standard 2M Bronze?
They are the same cartridge. The Premounted version is factory-mounted and aligned on an Ortofon SH-4 headshell, ready to drop onto a turntable that uses a removable headshell.

Does this cartridge require a special phono input?
No. It is a moving magnet design with roughly 5mV output and works with any standard moving magnet MM phono input.

What stylus does the 2M Bronze use?
It uses a nude Fine Line stylus, which traces the groove with excellent detail and a natural presentation.

What is the recommended tracking force?
Ortofon recommends 1.5 g, with a usable range of 1.4 to 1.7 g.

Will this fit my turntable?
It is designed for turntables that use a removable bayonet or SME-type headshell. If your tonearm accepts a standard interchangeable headshell, it will fit.

Do I still need to align the cartridge?
No. The Premounted version arrives factory-mounted and aligned on the headshell, so you can drop it onto the tonearm and set tracking force.

Can I use this with a moving coil phono input?
It is intended for a moving magnet input. A moving coil input has much higher gain than this cartridge needs, so use the MM setting or input.

What is the recommended load for the cartridge?
Ortofon specifies a load resistance of 47 kOhm and load capacitance of 150 to 300 pF.

How does it compare to the 2M Black?
The 2M Black sits higher in the 2M range with a nude Shibata stylus for additional resolution. The Bronze offers the balanced, engaging character of the Fine Line stylus.

Is the sound different from the standard Bronze because of the headshell?
No. It is the same cartridge with the same performance, simply pre-installed on an Ortofon headshell for convenience.

What is the output voltage?
About 5 mV at 1 kHz, which is well suited to a standard moving magnet phono input.

What is the channel separation?
Ortofon rates channel separation at 26 dB at 1 kHz, with 1 dB channel balance.

What frequency range does it cover?
The specified frequency range is 20 Hz to 29 kHz.

Can I replace just the stylus later?
The 2M series uses replaceable styli within its range. Contact us for guidance on the correct replacement stylus for the Bronze.

What turntables in your catalog work well with it?
Decks with removable headshells such as the Audio-Technica AT-LP140XP or AT-LP120XUSB are natural matches for a premounted cartridge.

Do I need a separate phono preamplifier?
You need a moving magnet phono input somewhere in the chain. That can be a dedicated phono stage or an integrated amplifier with a built-in MM phono stage.

Is this cartridge good for all genres?
Yes. Its balanced, natural character across the frequency range makes it a strong all-rounder for any style of music.

How much does the cartridge weigh?
The cartridge alone weighs about 7.2 g. Adding the SH-4 headshell increases the total mass at the tonearm.

Is the Verso version the same as the Premounted?
No. The Verso is a reverse-oriented version for tonearms that require that fit, while the Premounted comes installed on a standard headshell. Both share identical sound with the standard Bronze.

Why buy from All Elite Audio?
All Elite Audio is an authorized Ortofon dealer, so your cartridge is genuine and backed by the full manufacturer warranty. We offer expert setup guidance, matched system recommendations, and dedicated support before and after your purchase.