Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Ortofon 2M Blue Phono Cartridge by hairydog

Model:	2M Blue
Category:	Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price:	$199.00
Description:	Moving magnet cartridge with replaceable nude elliptical stylus
Manufacturer URL:	Ortofon
Model Picture:	View

Review by hairydog on October 19, 2010 at 12:30:03
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for the 2M Blue

Looking at the shape it becomes no secret The Ortofon 2M cartridges are squarely aimed at Rega RB arms- which represents a good portion of tonearms out there. Square it up with the edges of the RB head shell and only minor adjustments are needed from there for Baerwald alignment. The Blue is the one for me of the 2M line. I found the black to be a little too analytical sounding and unforgiving of used Lp's, I found the Red does'nt track the inner grooves as well as the blue (presumably they are the same but for nude mounting, so I guess it's down to the lower tip mass).
The Blue is really a fine example of the Ortofon sound at a very affordable price. For me that sound is very uncolored with exemplary soundstage, ambience, with maybe a touch of lean tonality through the mids relative to some other MM cartridges- think Goldring or Grado. The Blue tracks great so far- no inner groove distortion. It has controlled and extended reach down into the bass, this I noticed playing what has got to be a hot stamper copy (lol) of the Police "Synchronicity"- powerful yet defined bass... And some extra details in the mids and treble of the oh, that's on the record variety. Great with vocals of all knds. Classical records were handled very well also- I have found Ortofons to do well with Orchestral music, and the Blue did, a nice string tone that was neither bland or harsh, and hall ambience up there with MC type cartridges. Now with jazz some records on Columbia and Prestige were great, but certain Blue Notes came across bright (which they usually in fact are). Paradoxically I found the 2M Blue to be quieter in the groove than the way more expensive Black. It is still not the quietest cartridge around but well above average in this area. In all ways you have a feeling the Blue is giving you what's on your treasured vinyl- the essence of Ortofons Accuracy in Sound moniker. Feed it a good shape record which is well recorded........look out. A bump or a hair may raise. Though it is not unlivable with lesser recordings or your latest bargian bin purchase. IMO it is the corker of the 2M line. Allow the 2M's 50 hours to stew. It took me quite awhile to get a handle on the 2M sound. At first I was not crazy about it. But then I realized they have some unique qualities to offer that other magnets do not, particularly magnets at the Blues street price. Often we hear of people putting expensive cartrdiges on bargain turntables-as if it's some sort of crime to do the opposite- don't scream, because it would not be going out on a limb to put the Blue on tables 2K and over. I use on a Rega P7 with spectacular results. Some of the best analog sound I have gotten in a long time. Now changing over to the far pricier Rega exact gives a slightly fuller tonality and a more dynamic sound, but in other areas the Ortofon 2M Blue surpasses the Rega Exact. The Ortofon has space around instruments whereas the Exact does not seem as concerned about such things. This was most notable with classical records. Overall the Ortofon Blue tracks better. They are both good magnets in my book and ready to roll on Rega Tables/RB arms. I consider the 2M blue to have something in common with Rega too- like the RB arms, it offers up performance that is pushing the envelope. A winner.

Product Weakness:	No complaints at the street price.
Product Strengths:	Affordable taste of the %22Accurate%22 sound Ortofon is known for.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Rega
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Rega
Speakers: Rega
Cables/Interconnects: Supra
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Rock, Classical, Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH): 14 x 13 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments: NA
Time Period/Length of Audition: A few weeks
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): Is now all Rega

Amplifier:	Rega
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Rega
Speakers:	Rega
Cables/Interconnects:	Supra
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Classical, Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH):	14 x 13 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	NA
Time Period/Length of Audition:	A few weeks
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	Is now all Rega