Analog Gear News

Ortofon just announced a new $999 2M moving magnet cartridge: the 2M Black LVB 250 in honor of Ludwig Von Beethoven's 250th birthday. More than just a re-badge, the 2M Black LVB 250 incorporates, among other enhancements, the nude Shibata stylus and boron cantilever found on the more costly MC Cadenza Black.

In addition, Ortofon has developed a new rubber compound formula for the cartridge's suspension designed to optimize the interaction between compliance and damping. According to the press release "...the new rubber compound formula is based on the Multi Wall Carbon Nano Tubes (MWCNT) highly efficient nano filler. The new MWCNT-based compound offers desirable mechanical properties, which ensure better damping and improve the overall performance of the cartridge."

Ortofon also avers that the new compound "...allows for more environmental-friendly production, adding further it. The MWCNT powder is applied in a rubber polymer matrix and not in a powdered form, which makes the production process more clean, non-polluting and energy saving."

Here are the 2M Black LVB 250's specifications:

Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. - 5 mV
Channel balance at 1 kHz - < 1 dB
Channel separation at 1 kHz - > 27 dB
Channel separation at 15 kHz - 15 dB
Frequency response - 20-20.000 + 2 / - 1 dB
Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force - 80 µm
Compliance, dynamic, lateral - 22 µm/mN
Stylus type - Nude Shibata
Stylus tip radius - r/R 6/50 µm
Cantilever material - Boron
Tracking force range - 1.5-1.7 g (15-17 mN)
Tracking force, recommended - 1.6 g (16 mN)
Tracking angle - 20°
Internal impedance, DC resistance - 1.2 kOhm
Internal inductance - 630 mH
Recommended load resistance - 47 kOhm
Recommended load capacitance - 150-300 pF
Cartridge colour, body/stylus - Black/Black
Cartridge weight - 7.2 g
Replacement stylus unit - 2M Black LVB 250
Interchangeable styli units - 2M Black and 2M Bronze