Ortofon 2M-Blue Moving Magnet Cartridge
The Ortofon 2M-Blue moving magnet cartridge was developed in collaboration with the Danish company MollerJensen Design, which also participated in creating the top-of-the-line MC cartridges for the Jubilee and Kontrapunkt series. The idea was to create a cartridge that resembled a diamond, reflecting light as it moves along the grooves of a record. The name of the cartridge plays on two ideas, highlighting its connection to modern trends (the number 2) and its belonging to the Moving Magnet (MM) type of cartridges, represented by the two "M's".
The 2M series cartridges are designed for precise and clear playback of music from vinyl records. The solid yet elegant design of the 2M series showcases a combination of graceful form and technical perfection. This series was designed to the highest standards in line with Ortofon's strict commitment to providing the most accurate and uncolored sound reproduction. The series was created by the renowned Ortofon developer, Per Windfeld, who has been involved in the design of most Ortofon cartridges released in the past 30 years.
The Ortofon 2M-Blue cartridge features an advanced electromagnetic conversion system that increases the output voltage to 5.5 mV. The stylus of the Ortofon 2M-Blue cartridge has a nude elliptical diamond tip. The optimized design of the cartridge allows for easy mounting, with the weight and size designed to be compatible with most modern turntables. The cartridge is also compatible with interchangeable styli.
Compared to the entry-level Red model in the series, the Ortofon 2M-Blue cartridge boasts higher technical specifications with improved stereo channel separation (25 dB) and extended high-frequency range up to 25 kHz. The Ortofon 2M-Blue is equipped with an improved elliptical diamond stylus that ensures precise tracking of the record groove. Like all cartridges in the series, the 2M-Blue has an efficient electromagnetic system that provides a 5.5 mV output signal level. This makes turntables equipped with this cartridge compatible with various phono preamps, including ones integrated into amplifiers and AV receivers. The cartridge's loading characteristics are finely tuned for seamless integration with preamp input circuits without requiring adjustments.
The Ortofon 2M-Blue cartridge's body is crafted from semi-transparent blue polymer with high rigidity and excellent anti-vibration properties. It is designed to apply a tracking force ranging from 1.6 to 2 grams, resulting in 80 µm tracking at 315 Hz. The mechanical parameters of the cartridge are standard, making it easy to set up on different tonearms.
This cartridge is a great choice for upgrading mid-range vinyl players typically equipped with budget cartridges. When properly set up, the Ortofon 2M-Blue can deliver neutral sound across a wide frequency range and excellent dynamics reproduction. It is suitable for enjoying various music genres.