Ortofon 2M Black Premounted on SH-4 - Black

Description

The pinnacle of Ortofon's 2M moving magnet range

The 2M Black stands at the top of Ortofon's standard moving magnet lineup, distinguished by its Nude Shibata diamond stylus. This highly polished profile reaches further into the record groove than an elliptical cut, creating a much wider contact area with the vinyl walls. By tracing more surface area, it resolves subtle high-frequency details up to 31,000 Hz while holding distortion to an absolute minimum. The result is a spacious, well-controlled, richly detailed presentation that extracts every nuance from a well-preserved recording.

Precise internal architecture

Inside the rigid Noryl chassis, the generator relies on a four-coil engine equipped with Ortofon's proprietary split pole pins — an innovation that flattens the frequency response and rivals the finest moving coil designs. The coils are wound with silver-plated oxygen-free copper wire, ensuring precise signal transfer with a 1.2 kΩ internal impedance. This design delivers a robust 5.0 mV output voltage with 27 dB channel separation, driving any standard MM phono stage directly without a step-up transformer.

Instant installation on S-shaped tonearms

The Premounted edition eliminates the tedious process of connecting tiny cartridge leads and aligning screws. The 2M Black arrives factory-fitted and aligned on an Ortofon SH-4 black aluminum headshell, terminated with a standard bayonet connection. Designed specifically for turntables with S-shaped tonearms (Technics, Pioneer, vintage Denon, etc.), the complete assembly weighs 16.7 g. You simply lock the collar in place, set the recommended 1.5 g tracking force, adjust anti-skating, and the system is ready to play — without ever touching a protractor or azimuth.

An upgradeable stylus within the 2M family

Another strength of the 2M series: the stylus is removable and interchangeable with any other styli in the series (2M Red, 2M Blue, 2M Bronze). You can temporarily swap the Shibata diamond for an elliptical or other profile when playing worn records, then return to the Shibata for cherished recordings. Recommended settings: 47 kΩ load resistance, 150 to 300 pF capacitance — the standard for the vast majority of integrated and standalone MM phono preamps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will this cartridge fit my turntable?

This premounted version requires a tonearm that accepts a removable bayonet-mount headshell, typical of S-shaped tonearms (Technics SL-1200, Pioneer PLX, Denon DP, etc.). The total assembly weighs 16.7 g, so you must check that your tonearm's counterweight can balance this mass. Turntables with fixed straight tonearms require the standard 2M Black version instead (without headshell).

What's the difference between a Shibata and an elliptical diamond?

An elliptical diamond has a relatively narrow contact area with the groove. A Shibata diamond, by contrast, is cut with a complex profile that traces a much larger area of the groove walls. The result: more precise high-frequency reproduction (up to 31,000 Hz for the 2M Black's Nude Shibata vs. about 20-22 kHz for a typical elliptical), lower distortion and reduced record wear. The trade-off: the Shibata requires more precise alignment and records in better condition to fully express its potential.

What are the required phono stage settings?

The 2M Black connects to any standard moving magnet (MM) phono input. Ortofon recommends a load resistance of 47 kΩ and a load capacitance between 150 and 300 pF (the default setting of the vast majority of MM preamps). With its robust 5.0 mV output, it provides a strong signal that requires no step-up transformer. Internal impedance: 1.2 kΩ. Tracking force: 1.5 g (range 1.4 to 1.7 g) — best verified with a stylus gauge.

What's in the Box

Ortofon 2M Black cartridge pre-mounted on a black aluminum Ortofon SH-4 headshell

Stylus guard

Stylus brush

Alignment screwdriver

User manual