Ortofon MC2000 mk2 (New Old Stock) + Ortofon T20 mk2 (New Old Stock)

[Spectral Morn]

Never thought I would want to sell these but that day when I would fit this cart never came.

What we have here is a New Old Stock Ortofon MC2000 mk 2 and the matching step up transformer. I bought these new from Ortofon back in 1992 and never used them.

http://u.cubeupload.com/Davros124/003T.jpg

http://u.cubeupload.com/Davros124/004S.jpg

http://u.cubeupload.com/Davros124/005U.jpg

http://u.cubeupload.com/Davros124/007I.jpg

http://u.cubeupload.com/Davros124/U.jpg

This came about because this is the second MC2000 mk2 I got, as the first had a crack in the white ceramic body. I don't know if this occured when I installed it in my SME 309 arm or it was there, regardless Ortofon replaced the cart with a brand new one, but without the outer packing, which is why the screws are loose from fitting that first cracked MC2000. In the mean time I had bought a VDH MC10 which I fitted to the SME 309 where it stayed, until moved to an ET2 arm, then SME 5. The MC2000 languished on the shelf along side the transformer. I always mean't to try it, but never did.

Having looked into this I see that the MC2000 mk2 is a collectors item these days and I see that NOS examples of these sell on average for in and around £1000. The transformer seems to go for about £250 to £350.

I don't want to split these as the T20 mk2 was designed to go with the MC2000 mk2 and as such it seems to me a shame to split them apart. The T20 is in excellent condition.

So I would like £800 for both, payment via bank transfer. I will only sell within the UK and Ireland. Postage will be via next day postage (insured for £1000) and will be about £20.

A word of warning. These carts must be installed very carefully and gently, the underside of the tonearm and top of the cart must be clean, otherwise tightening the cart to the arm could result in a cracked cart - you have been warned.

I won't reduce this price, probably should be a bit dearer but I think £800 is a fair price.

Edit 2/7/17

Cartridge was tried and found to be working fully. Only 3 LP sides were played. A brief video can be supplied to prove cartridge is working fine.

http://u.cubeupload.com/Davros124/004.jpg

http://u.cubeupload.com/Davros124/003.jpg

http://u.cubeupload.com/Davros124/005.jpg

http://u.cubeupload.com/Davros124/006.jpg

http://u.cubeupload.com/Davros124/007.jpg

[Spectral Morn]

Bump

[Spectral Morn]

This got stunning reviews back in the day and is generally by my understanding held in regard, hence its collectors item status. Bit surprised no one seems interested, particularly as this is an unused example.

[struth]

So rare as to be unobtanium. One up in us ebay for $1250.

[jml3p]

a bargain here
GLWS
Regards,
Jonathan

[Spectral Morn]

Bump

[Jazid]

Reading around it appears to me that Ortofon intended this to be used with their T2000 rather than the T20. The ratios are rather different. I have no direct experience of this cartridge or the SUT same as (I imagine) most others salivating over this ad. Since they will probably access the same information on the Web I suggest it might be worth explaining why your pairing is correct?
Please don't think this is a spoiler, just a request for clarification?

Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk

[Spectral Morn]

Reading around it appears to me that Ortofon intended this to be used with their T2000 rather than the T20. The ratios are rather different. I have no direct experience of this cartridge or the SUT same as (I imagine) most others salivating over this ad. Since they will probably access the same information on the Web I suggest it might be worth explaining why your pairing is correct?
Please don't think this is a spoiler, just a request for clarification?

Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk

It was the pairing sold to me at the time by the UK distributor.

[helma]

T-2000 had 35dB of gain as opposed to 32dB of the T-20. Recommended pick-up impedance for T-2000 3ohms, for T-20 2-4 ohms. There's absolutely nothing in the numbers to suggest the T-20 would be anything less than a very good fit for the MC-2000. T-2000 was the designed pairing for the MC-2000 and was the better SUT but I imagine it was a very pricey thing and the T-20 would've been a more affordable alternative while still providing good performance. I believe T-20 was the "designated pairing" for MC-200.

In theory the T-2000 would up the 0.05mV voltage to 2.8mV while the T-20 would put out 2mV. I believe in practice the numbers will be lower and closer to each other, as transformer efficiency will get worse and worse with higher turn ratios.

In any case good luck with sale, I believe a bargain for someone.

[Jazid]

Thanks for the explanations which clarify what is on the Web, and I so hope it finds a new home soon!

Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk

[Spectral Morn]

Keep in mind that it is a T20 mk2 1989 and is a newer transformer than the T2000 which was an earlier design 1982. Does that change the specs, not sure ?

[Spectral Morn]

Bump

[Spectral Morn]

I will reduce asking price to £800

[Spectral Morn]

Bump

[the loaf]

I am interested and will hopefully successfully pm You .

[Spectral Morn]

I am interested and will hopefully successfully pm You .

Hi Bruce you need at least 5 posts to be able to send pms.

Don't want to mess your interest up, but I am getting cold feet re selling this cart and SUT. Not sure I want to sell them. I also feel that I should instal it and check it's ok. Never used it and it has been stored carefully but if I sell it and it's claimed to not be ok I have no point of reference to work from. Let me think on this and get back to you.

[Spectral Morn]

Sale Status on Hold until I decide I definitely want to sell and to decide if I want to instal and briefly use this cart to make sure it's still fit to sell. I have no reason to suspect it is in anything other than the condition it was when I got it new but I think I would be an idiot not to check it out, and probably should have before offering it for sale. Sorry folks.

[Spectral Morn]

So I have taken the plunge and installed the Ortofon on to my SME5 arm and I will be checking if its working ok later today. I will play one record and video part of that. I don't have any desire to post videos onto You Tube so if I do decide to sell this, if its working ok, then I can email that short video clip to anyone interested in buying the cart.

I will keep folks posted.

[Spectral Morn]

So I have played three LP sides and there are no issues. Tracking is very good, detail retrieval excellent, sound staging, separation etc also excellent, as is the bass and mid range. Frankly that was a shock.

What I feared has occurred - more than it being knackered - I think it sounds wonderful and I feel a bit of an idiot never having used this cart. Leaving it in its box unused was crazy.

So do I want to sell it now ? Frankly I don't know.

I also can see why this is sought after, somewhat revered and a collectors item.

I need a think.

Also if I do sell I am hardening the price up again.

[Spectral Morn]

Ok had a think and cartridge which is working fully and step up are back up for sale for £800 + Postage at cost UK/Ireland only and bank transfer as payment or PayPal Gift Only.

I will post some pictures later of the set up and use. I played three sides and heard no problems. Sounds very nice, but I have plenty of cartridges and I don't use Step Ups currently so I think its time for someone else to enjoy these.

[gwernaffield]

hi neil in the pictures you cannot see the canterlever on any of them ?
cheers
peter

[Spectral Morn]

hi neil in the pictures you cannot see the canterlever on any of them ?
cheers
peter

You can in the first set of photos, but a super duper close up - I haven't taken one. Happy to do it if I can get the camera to play ball. Bar playing three sides, that is it, never used since I got it so the stylus is mint. Cantilever and suspension also fine. One of the reasons I decided to fit and try it, was so I knew it was 100% fine. I didn't want a situation arising where I sold an item that turned out to be knackered, and I would have no leg to stand on because it had never been used, so not heard or seen working by me.

Thing is it is working fine, and I can email a short video of it playing.

[Spectral Morn]

Bump

[Spectral Morn]

Bump

[Spectral Morn]

Small reduction in asking price £770 + UK/Ireland Postage at cost.

[Spectral Morn]

:cool:

[Spectral Morn]

Bump at £750 + Postage UK and Ireland Only.

[Spectral Morn]

Bump

[Spectral Morn]

:cool:

[Spectral Morn]

Willing to entertain offers.

Stunning cartridge and step up. Got a valve mm phono stage, or solid state, or not high enough gain phono stage all suitable for this pairing.

[Spectral Morn]

Bump

[Spectral Morn]

:cool:

[Spectral Morn]

Going to offer these split now, the two together was a package deal so split they are - £550 for the cartridge, and £250 for the step up. Both prices are way under what these sell for, and in this case you are getting a brand new cart.

Yes I played the cart for three LP sides, but now its a known quantity in that it is NOS and still works, rather than NOS and may not have survived its time in the box unused.

Payment via bank transfer please. Postage will be at cost, next day signed for. UK/Ireland only.

[Spectral Morn]

Going to offer these split now, the two together was a package deal so split they are - £550 for the cartridge, and £250 for the step up. Both prices are way under what these sell for, and in this case you are getting a brand new cart.

Yes I played the cart for three LP sides, but now its a known quantity in that it is NOS and still works, rather than NOS and may not have survived its time in the box unused.

Payment via bank transfer please. Postage will be at cost, next day signed for. UK/Ireland only.

Bump

[Spectral Morn]

Bump

[Spectral Morn]

Bump and price reduction on the cart to £500 + UK/Ireland postage at cost. Step up still £250 + postage at cost UK/Ireland.

[Spectral Morn]

Bump

[Spectral Morn]

Cartridge Price Reduction £450

Step Up £225

All prices + Postage at cost UK/Ireland only sale. Payment via Bank Transfer.

[Spectral Morn]

Cartridge Provisionally Sold, awaiting payment.

[Spectral Morn]

Cartridge Now Sold and Posted.

Step Up Transformer still available - Open to Offers.

[Spectral Morn]

Bump step-up transformer still available.

:cool: