Harleywood Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Wanting to upgrade from an Ortofon Blue and need some input from more experienced TT gurus. Thinking about this Audio Technica, https://www.audio-technica.com/cms/cartridges/1d03e057c2ad819c/index.html or the Ortofon Black, https://www.ortofon.com/ortofon-2m-black-p-329 Big price difference between the two for the same shibata stylus. The Audio Technica has a wider frequency response than the Ortofon. 20,000hz-27,000hz where the Black is 20,000hz-20,000hz. What other differences should I be looking for? Will be installing in a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit paired with a Rotel RA-1570 integrated and Epic CF-2's. Which one would you recommend? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 If both use shibata and are MM, they are more alike than different. 6 of one half a dozen of the other... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 There are a few reviews on Amazon.com you may find helpful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATC01.html https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATOC9III-Phonograph-Cartridge/dp/B002T6NZM8 You will not regret going with moving coils. The OC9s are higher output and can be used with more preamps. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 I have both the 2M Blue and 2M black, and the black is in a whole different class compared to the blue. It's almost as good as my $1800.00 Koetsu Black mc cart. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosee1955 Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 Well if you can go up to the $699.00 price, the Lp gear the vessel R3Sm is the best for the buck. If your budget is a little lower try Audio Technicas VM740MI. These 2 were rated as best sounding under a grand. Be sure to have cartridge aligned professional, along with weight and balance. Just a little off affects sound, and will wipe out your records way ahead of normal.Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted November 8, 2018 Share Posted November 8, 2018 The Ortofon Black is a classic MM cart, well regarded and fine-soundiing. You CANNOT tell how a cart sounds or performs just from the stylus shape or frequency response -- way too many factors that won't tell you a dam thing. I have no information on the Ortofon Blue, but would expect a Black to sound outstanding. I also have no familarity with your other equipment, so can't predict what any particular cart will sound like in someone's system, However, my prediction is that the Black is so good in a neutral way that it will sound good in almost any combination. This leads me to the point that I believe -- MY OPINION ONLY -- that quality in the earlier part of the sound chain will make a bigger difference than improvements later on the chain, i.e., a cart will make a bigger difference for less money than a commensurate change in an amplifier or speaker. Like I say, that's just my impression and my opinion. Bottom line is that something as good as the Black will likely override issues with other components. IMO, you can't equate having a shibata or more extended freq response with sound quality or price. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godataloss Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 I run a Black. I love it. I've run it on a Thorens TD 203 and a VPI HW 19 jr. Outstanding on both. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harleywood Posted November 19, 2018 Author Share Posted November 19, 2018 On 11/1/2018 at 6:13 AM, Schu said: If both use shibata and are MM, they are more alike than different. 6 of one half a dozen of the other... Ive read that the shape of a Shibata will get more out of the groove. The blue I have is a nude elliptical and it sounds great but a little weak on the mid range even with the Epic CF-2's which are notorious for the hot horn. The only other option I've seen is a nude fine line. Conical I've read is not a good option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harleywood Posted November 20, 2018 Author Share Posted November 20, 2018 On 11/2/2018 at 11:37 PM, JohnA said: https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATC01.html https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATOC9III-Phonograph-Cartridge/dp/B002T6NZM8 You will not regret going with moving coils. The OC9s are higher output and can be used with more preamps. Right now I'm set up for mm only. Not in a position finacially to upgrade my phono pre to MC. It's on the short list of upgrades to get but not possible at this time. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harleywood Posted November 20, 2018 Author Share Posted November 20, 2018 On 11/4/2018 at 12:20 PM, Moosee1955 said: Well if you can go up to the $699.00 price, the Lp gear the vessel R3Sm is the best for the buck. If your budget is a little lower try Audio Technicas VM740MI. These 2 were rated as best sounding under a grand. Be sure to have cartridge aligned professional, along with weight and balance. Just a little off affects sound, and will wipe out your records way ahead of normal. No doubt in making sure the cartridge is aligned properly. Damage to vinyl and sound quality are greatly affected by an improperly aligned cart. I'll research the R3SM. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harleywood Posted November 20, 2018 Author Share Posted November 20, 2018 On 11/7/2018 at 7:00 PM, LarryC said: The Ortofon Black is a classic MM cart, well regarded and fine-soundiing. You CANNOT tell how a cart sounds or performs just from the stylus shape or frequency response -- way too many factors that won't tell you a dam thing. I have no information on the Ortofon Blue, but would expect a Black to sound outstanding. I also have no familarity with your other equipment, so can't predict what any particular cart will sound like in someone's system, However, my prediction is that the Black is so good in a neutral way that it will sound good in almost any combination. This leads me to the point that I believe -- MY OPINION ONLY -- that quality in the earlier part of the sound chain will make a bigger difference than improvements later on the chain, i.e., a cart will make a bigger difference for less money than a commensurate change in an amplifier or speaker. Like I say, that's just my impression and my opinion. Bottom line is that something as good as the Black will likely override issues with other components. IMO, you can't equate having a shibata or more extended freq response with sound quality or price. Great info! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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