Ortofon 2m Black is No More

[Dubster68]

Well To say I am gutted is an under statement:doh:.

I have damaged my stylus beyond repair. Whilst moving my turntable I put the guard on(Crap design)the stylus and did what I had to do. Once the turntable was fully set up again I set about playing some music. At first I noticed a strange change in sound so I thought check everything again. All checked out ok. Once playing I looked at the stylus and to my horror it was badly bent. I cannot understand how this happened but is bent and twisted so I will not be using it in the fear of damaging my records,I tried to straighten it but I think it just looks worse.

Now the question due to funds I don't think I will be spending another £370 for a black stylus so looking at Blue or Bronze on the black cart I already have. Or even another cartridge may be an option. Would a Ortofon Blue gain anything from been on the better cartridge ?

[Bigman80]

Oh man, sorry to hear that. Here, treat yourself -

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheartofsound%2Enet%2Ff orum%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D49555&share_tid=49555&share_fid=4177&share_type=t

Ortofon MC25FL Cartridge with stylus guard


Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

[struth]

Think the body is same. Maybe caught it with the guard. Some are worth finging away as far as possible. Sure the makers do it deliberately

[Jimbo]

Very sorry to hear that Mick you must be gutted! You may pick up a replacement under £350 if you look round or maybe just buy second hand?

[Cas]

Ouch, I feel you pain.

According to Ortofon the red and blue are interchangeable as are the bronze and black, I suppose you could mix and match them all with each other
I would have thought.

[blackstar]

Different generators in red/blue as opposed to bronze/black but they are physically interchangeable.

[Dubster68]

Just wondering if I would get gains from a blue on the superior cart. Rather than another £100 on top of that for a bronze


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[karma67]

sorry to hear that mate,been there and got the t-shirt!

[mikeyb]

Well To say I am gutted is an under statement:doh:.

I have damaged my stylus beyond repair. Whilst moving my turntable I put the guard on(Crap design)the stylus and did what I had to do. Once the turntable was fully set up again I set about playing some music. At first I noticed a strange change in sound so I thought check everything again. All checked out ok. Once playing I looked at the stylus and to my horror it was badly bent. I cannot understand how this happened but is bent and twisted so I will not be using it in the fear of damaging my records,I tried to straighten it but I think it just looks worse.

Now the question due to funds I don't think I will be spending another £370 for a black stylus so looking at Blue or Bronze on the black cart I already have. Or even another cartridge may be an option. Would a Ortofon Blue gain anything from been on the better cartridge ?
Ah, gutted for you, I never bother with guards just in case I trash the cart, mind you I'm the only one that goes near the TT and it always has the lid on.

Insurance ?

[Dubster68]

Ah, gutted for you, I never bother with guards just in case I trash the cart, mind you I'm the only one that goes near the TT and it always has the lid on.

Insurance ?


I can't believe I have done it Mick. Not worth claiming for £100 XS then premiums go up. I will probably try a blue on the cart to see what it sound like or get a bronze and see how that goes.

[CageyH]

I have read that the bronze works well on the black, but I have never read about anyone putting a blue on a black.
Does it fit, and will it work?

[CornishPasty]

Does your home insurance cover damage to your hifi system? A few years ago one of my kids damaged the Kontra A on my turntable and the insurers coughed up no problem.

[Dubster68]

My house insurance would cover it but with an excess of £100 then having a claim. Is it worth it as my insurance will probably go up reflecting the claim.

[CornishPasty]

I'd forgotten that most house insurances are like car policies now. Looks like you're just going to have to stump up I'm afraid.

[Floyddroid]

Did the same with my Lyra Delos a few years back. I snapped the cantilever clean off. I claimed successfully on my home insurance and had it rebuilt by ESC only to have the diamond become dislodged and sadly no more. So i feel your pain too.

[Spectral Morn]

Mick there is a trade in value on the cart if used against another or same Ortofon. Go talk to an Ortofon dealer.

[Dubster68]

Mick there is a trade in value on the cart if used against another or same Ortofon. Go talk to an Ortofon dealer.


Thanks Neil.
Just had a look and its only on MC carts:doh:

I will just have to bite the bullet and by a new stylus. No point upgrading to anything else when I have a 2m black cart sat here.

[Spectral Morn]

Thanks Neil.
Just had a look and its only on MC carts:doh:

I will just have to bite the bullet and by a new stylus. No point upgrading to anything else when I have a 2m black cart sat here.

I am sorry, I forgot it was MC. Forgive me please.

[AlfaGTV]

Give the 2M Blue stylus a go! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!
And as other have spoken before, you can put any 2M stylus in any house, no problems. The Bronze/Black houses have different coils though and improve quite some on the Red/Blue housing.
So, a Blue on a Black body are to my ears one of the best combos possible witin the series.

Sorry bout your mishap of course...:/

[Dubster68]

Give the 2M Blue stylus a go! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!
And as other have spoken before, you can put any 2M stylus in any house, no problems. The Bronze/Black houses have different coils though and improve quite some on the Red/Blue housing.
So, a Blue on a Black body are to my ears one of the best combos possible witin the series.

Sorry bout your mishap of course...:/


This was my thinking to be honest. A blue that I loved for a while is a a lot cheaper than another black. With the black upgraded cart do you find it sounds ok ?

[struth]

Not quite the same but do fit and willsound better than a simple blue. Or thats what i am told.

[mikeyb]

Not quite the same but do fit and willsound better than a simple blue. Or thats what i am told.
Yeah I've seen plenty mention of the blue stylus and black body being better than blue complete

[Cycleallday]

This was my thinking to be honest. A blue that I loved for a while is a a lot cheaper than another black. With the black upgraded cart do you find it sounds ok ?
Mick I can give it a try for you tomorrow. My Black is currently mounted in my Rega 3 and I can easily pop the Blue stylus in and see if I can establish any key differences. Will report back tomorrow evening.

Mel

[Dubster68]

Mick I can give it a try for you tomorrow. My Black is currently mounted in my Rega 3 and I can easily pop the Blue stylus in and see if I can establish any key differences. Will report back tomorrow evening.

Mel
Thanks Mel

That's great thank you. 👍👍👍
I don't expect it to sound like my Black did. Just wondering if there is any gains with the blue on my black cart.

[Cycleallday]

Just listening to the Blue on Black now and it works fine but in all honesty I cannot really hear a difference from the basic Blue setup. If anything there seems a little more bass and volume but the clarity and wide stage of the Black do not come through. I started by listening to the Blue on a well known recording then moved onto the Black and then switched the sylus over before trying a number of different known records. The Blue definitely has a different signature to the Black; it has a much more of a bassy driving beat but seems to lose the detail on the way and this signature is the same regardless of the body the stylus is in.

Mel

[Dubster68]

Just listening to the Blue on Black now and it works fine but in all honesty I cannot really hear a difference from the basic Blue setup. If anything there seems a little more bass and volume but the clarity and wide stage of the Black do not come through. I started by listening to the Blue on a well known recording then moved onto the Black and then switched the sylus over before trying a number of different known records. The Blue definitely has a different signature to the Black; it has a much more of a bassy driving beat but seems to lose the detail on the way and this signature is the same regardless of the body the stylus is in.

Mel

Thanks Mel for the time and effort for this little experiment. I did not expect massive gains but I suppose for others they know it will work. With having the Black I will probably notice the different sound if I went to a Blue. Due to cost I have looked at the Bronze as it's cheaper but it doesn't seem to be a popular choice(correct me if I am wrong). I will just have to bite the bullet and just try and aim for the Black again.

[CageyH]

From what I read on several fora, a lot of people prefer the Bronze as it is easier to set up, and slightly less analytical.

[Cycleallday]

Personally I prefer the Goldring 1042 to the Blue - in direct comparisons on the Techie the Goldring seems to be somewhere midway between the Blue and Black. I have been using them for years and its one I often go back to but they do seem to be going up in price like all others.

Do go talk to that guy in Stockton - he is a vinyl fanatic and has an incredibly collection and plenty of down to earth advice. He also seems to have a lot of ex demo carts at times - funny they all look like new to me ?

Mel

[RobbieGong]

From what I read on several fora, a lot of people prefer the Bronze as it is easier to set up, and slightly less analytical.

To be truthful the only time I ever felt my Black sounded analytical was when I hadn't set it up right - honest !

When set up right, I've only ever found it to be a superb performer, revealing the individuality of each recording, musical, very detailed but not analytical.

That in my opinion is why so many of us go through the pain of set up, that goes with the territory of ownership with this cart :)

[bbbiker800]

From what I read on several fora, a lot of people prefer the Bronze as it is easier to set up, and slightly less analytical.

+1 on that. I have the bronze in a RB303 and I think it's very good on detail and is neutral too. Can't think of any real negative traits.

[RobbieGong]

All the 2M's are good, heard them all and had the blue and Black. The Black is the 'class act' of the lot.

[CageyH]

To be truthful the only time I ever felt my Black sounded analytical was when I hadn't set it up right - honest !

When set up right, I've only ever found it to be a superb performer, revealing the individuality of each recording, musical, very detailed but not analytical.

That in my opinion is why so many of us go through the pain of set up, that goes with the territory of ownership with this cart :)

As with anything in this hobby, it's different strokes for different folks.
My 2M Black did not get much use as I preferred my AT150MLX. I spent some time getting the black set up correctly, but kept coming back to something else. That is why I sold it on, as some people really like the 2MB.

[mikeyb]

If you don't buy a new Black stylus you'll always regret it. Buy right buy once 😉

[CageyH]

A second hand cartridge with low hours would be another good option.

[Dubster68]

If you don't buy a new Black stylus you'll always regret it. Buy right buy once 😉
Well due to this technically been a major crisis,disaster act of God etc I have took action😳. I have dipped into my savings that are there for such disasters in life and ordered a new Black stylus. Though it is an expense I could have done with out the world would stop with out music. Well that's what I will tell the wife if she finds out 😂😂😂😂
You may hear my screams of pain over my lovely Shibata as she beats me but it will be worth it.

Thanks everyone 👍🏻

[mikeyb]

Well due to this technically been a major crisis,disaster act of God etc I have took action😳. I have dipped into my savings that are there for such disasters in life and ordered a new Black stylus. Though it is an expense I could have done with out the world would stop with out music. Well that's what I will tell the wife if she finds out 😂😂😂😂
You may hear my screams of pain over my lovely Shibata as she beats me but it will be worth it.

Thanks everyone 👍🏻
Just don't use the guard, I don't, much less chance of disaster. Mind you I keep my TT covered and ALL have been warned that no duster or cloth here near it unless it's used by me 😉

[struth]

Indeed, everyone was always trained to stay away from my audio stuff or else :lol: when tt gets dusted the arm gets lifted up out of way and guards are never used

[Dubster68]

Thing is this was my fault. All I did was slip the guard on and messed with the fiddly clip and that was it. Big mistake😡 I won't be using the Ortofon guards again.

[RobbieGong]

Thing is this was my fault. All I did was slip the guard on and messed with the fiddly clip and that was it. Big mistake😡 I won't be using the Ortofon guards again.

Absolutely Mick, the 2M guards are awful, fiddly and way too much potential to 'feck' a stylus with them - I never ever used mine thankfully.

Great carts but that guard is not one of Ortofons best moments :scratch:

[Beobloke]

The Black's USP is its stylus. You have made the right decision!

[Dubster68]

What was the saying once you've had black you won't go back😂😂😂 Even though an unwanted cost it is so very true. I think if I had bought any other I would be thinking I wish I had got another black. This is your fault Rob for recommending this route for a black cart. I was happy with my cheap costing blue😜 And I will not use the guard ever again.

[RobbieGong]

What was the saying once you've had black you won't go back������ Even though an unwanted cost it is so very true. I think if I had bought any other I would be thinking I wish I had got another black. This is your fault Rob for recommending this route for a black cart. I was happy with my cheap costing blue�� And I will not use the guard ever again.

lol - Me and Jimbo are to blame - guilty ! :D

I started with the 2M Blue some years back then decided to treat myself to the Black as an upgrade.

I was gobsmacked the first time I heard it set up properly in my system. It was one of those moments for me. Many very late nights and bleary eyed mornings followed, but at least I went to work with a silly smile on my face :lol:

[RobbieGong]

Btw - after the 2M Black you most certainly dont want to go back in the range. If anything you'll wanna go up for more of the same ie: Quintet Black or flagship big bucks (unfortunately) Cadenza Black :)

[Dubster68]

lol - Me and Jimbo are to blame - guilty ! :D

I started with the 2M Blue some years back then decided to treat myself to the Black as an upgrade.

I was gobsmacked the first time I heard it set up properly in my system. It was one of those moments for me. Many very late nights and bleary eyed mornings followed, but at least I went to work with a silly smile on my face :lol:

👀👀😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂✌️

[mikeyb]

Btw - after the 2M Black you most certainly dont want to go back in the range. If anything you'll wanna go up for more of the same ie: Quintet Black or flagship big bucks (unfortunately) Cadenza Black :)
Aye yer right, I would have seen this as the perfect opportunity to upgrade 😈😊😂

[RobbieGong]

Aye yer right, I would have seen this as the perfect opportunity to upgrade ������

:) Enjoy the stellar 2M Black until ya pockets fat. This game can suck tons of dosh if ya let it, I'm speaking from experience and a negative bank balance :eek: :D

[Jimbo]

Well due to this technically been a major crisis,disaster act of God etc I have took action😳. I have dipped into my savings that are there for such disasters in life and ordered a new Black stylus. Though it is an expense I could have done with out the world would stop with out music. Well that's what I will tell the wife if she finds out 😂😂😂😂
You may hear my screams of pain over my lovely Shibata as she beats me but it will be worth it.

Thanks everyone 👍🏻

Well done Mick you won't regret it. I bought a new stylus just before Christmas after 3 years of heavy use with my old one. It was stunning to hear a new one again! I could never be without one in my system even though I am happy to try other cartridges.

I am sue you will feel you've done the right thing when you get that diamond back in its throne!:)

[Dubster68]

Well done Mick you won't regret it. I bought a new stylus just before Christmas after 3 years of heavy use with my old one. It was stunning to hear a new one again! I could never be without one in my system even though I am happy to try other cartridges.

I am sue you will feel you've done the right thing when you get that diamond back in its throne!:)


Thank you all. I hope you will feel my pain when installing again :scratch: It only took me a week of fiddling till it finally popped and the sound came out last time as God intended:lol:

[Dubster68]

Well the black arrived today. An unwanted cost but thats life. Fitted perfect first time (Expert after previous fiddling)and the SL1210 is singing again. Sounds so good and it hasn't had time to settle yet so things can only get better. Also my new feet I had made arrived so its like xmas this morning. Anyway I think a few hours music listening are in order after my unscheduled expensive week.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c25/Mick1B/IMG_4485.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/Mick1B/media/IMG_4485.jpg.html)

[RobbieGong]

Looking good Mick :thumbsup: Hand on heart I would have done exactly the same thing, regardless of the expense / cost.
After the Black, going backwards would have been a big compromise and hurt too much in my opinion and experience -

Enjoy very muchly as you undoubtedly will ;)

Btw - title has to change now to Ortofon 2M Black is Once More! :D

[Dubster68]

Looking good Mick :thumbsup: Hand on heart I would have done exactly the same thing, regardless of the expense / cost.
After the Black, going backwards would have been a big compromise and hurt too much in my opinion and experience -

Enjoy very muchly as you undoubtedly will ;)

Btw - title has to change now to Ortofon 2M Black is Once More! :D

Thanks for the title change option:lol:

Listened to music all day and very happy I stayed with the Black option. Like you said it was the correct decision in the end. If I hadn't bought it and gone for a blue or bronze I would be always wondering about the Black.

[Jimbo]

Looking very good Mick and although it's a high price to pay, I am sure you will not regret it. I would find it very very hard to live without the 2M.

I certainly had not regrets buying another stylus and in fact it was a joy to hear a brand new one again after 50 hours run it it was sublime.:cool:

[Cycleallday]

Looking very good Mick and although it's a high price to pay, I am sure you will not regret it. I would find it very very hard to live without the 2M.

I certainly had not regrets buying another stylus and in fact it was a joy to hear a brand new one again after 50 hours run it it was sublime.:cool:

Just out of interest Technics themselves were using a 2M Black on their new SL1210 being demonstrated at the Bristol HiFi show this weekend and it sounded excellent - no external power supply and standard arm as well !

Mel

[Jimbo]

Just out of interest Technics themselves were using a 2M Black on their new SL1210 being demonstrated at the Bristol HiFi show this weekend and it sounded excellent - no external power supply and standard arm as well !

Mel

Not surprised Mel. I wonder what it would have sounded like on the top SL1200GAE ?