Ortofon 2M needle transplant?

Posted by waltjohns (A) on December 20, 2014 at 12:32:53

Hi all,

I played my Ortofon MC-3 Turbo into the ground and had to get a new cartridge, since I was told replacing the needle alone wasn't an option.

I went with the 2M blue. It was obviously less expensive than the MC-3 had been ($250 vs. $450), but based on reviews and some quality salesmanship, I was convinced that I would be getting nearly as good a listening experience—if a sonically different one.

I've been playing it intensively for about five days now, and let's just say I'm not feeling it. Unlike the MC-3, which made everything crisp, defined, present, and loud, so far the 2M strikes me as really playing the mix, not the sound (if that makes sense) and submerging vocals, especially at low volumes.

It's given me a few "moments" on more stripped down soul records, and really does well with falsettos. It might do imaging better than the MC-3, which might be part of what I'm reacting to. Depth can sometimes sound hollow at first, no?

I know that it's easy to swap out the needles on the 2M. Would I be feeling happier with a black or bronze needle? Or should I be patient and wait for this one to break in a little more/for me to get used to the difference sound?

It's funny, that 2M blue seems to be much more popular than the MC-3. Maybe I spent too much time with the MC-3 to ever love anyone else ever again.

Best,

Walt

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Topic - Ortofon 2M needle transplant? - waltjohns 12:32:53 12/20/14 (10)

RE: Ortofon 2M needle transplant? - TWR 08:12:32 12/21/14 (2)

Funny. Had the opposite reaction. - Dave Pogue 09:23:31 12/21/14 (0)

RE: Ortofon 2M needle transplant? - waltjohns 08:19:42 12/21/14 (0)

I had not had an Ortofon magnetic for a long time..... - Penguin 01:31:08 12/21/14 (1)

RE: I had not had an Ortofon magnetic for a long time..... - waltjohns 05:34:45 12/21/14 (0)

Make sure the blue stylus is fully pushed in - jeromelang 18:37:46 12/20/14 (0)

The Blue, like the OM 20 in the OM series, is, IMHO, the most "musical" - Opus 33 1/3 13:32:01 12/20/14 (0)

Maybe you just need a moving coil... - John Elison 12:45:30 12/20/14 (2)

RE: Maybe you just need a moving coil... - waltjohns 12:50:39 12/20/14 (1)

RE: Maybe you just need a moving coil... - The Audio Guy 17:27:19 12/21/14 (0)

Ortofon 2M needle transplant?

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