Ortofon 2M Red
Ortofon 2M Red moving magnet cartridge, fitted with a nude elliptical diamond stylus and a sensitivity of 5.5 mV, for a turntable connected to an MM phono input.
Description
The 2M Red opens Ortofon's 2M range, a line of moving magnet cartridges born from lengthy development work aimed as much at response linearity as at musical rendering. The very name of the series takes its initials from Moving Magnet. The exterior design was entrusted to the Copenhagen studio Møller Jensen Design, already responsible for the aesthetics of the Kontrapunkt series.
On the playback side, this model is fitted with a nude elliptical diamond stylus. The elliptical profile offers closer contact with the groove walls than a spherical tip, resulting in more faithful tracking of modulations, particularly towards the end of a side where linear speed decreases.
The generator is built around a magnetic motor with a split pole pin. This architecture is designed to limit the eddy currents that develop within metal masses and disturb the conversion of movement into electrical signal. It is from this control that the very flat frequency response claimed for the series derives. The quality of the magnetic assembly also achieves a sensitivity of 5.5 mV, a comfortable output level that copes easily with a standard MM phono preamplifier, including those built into entry-level amplifiers and turntables.
This type of cartridge is aimed at anyone fitting or bringing back into service a turntable with a standard tonearm, who wants careful playback without the constraints of a moving coil: no step-up transformer, no delicate gain adjustment, and wide compatibility with commercially available phono inputs. It is a logical choice for everyday listening to a varied vinyl collection.
Technical specifications
| Cartridge type | Moving magnet (MM) |
| Stylus tip | Nude elliptical diamond |
| Sensitivity | 5.5 mV |
| Magnetic motor | Split pole pin |
What to check before buying used
The stylus suspension loses flexibility over the years: a listening test is essential to check for the absence of distortion or hiss on high-frequency passages. The nude elliptical diamond stylus, more fragile than a spherical tip, should be examined under magnification to detect wear or a flat spot, a sign that replacement may be needed. Also check the condition of the cantilever and the connection pins, which are often prone to oxidation.
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