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Ortofon 2M Red Not Happy Need advice

I just got myself a 2M red. was not able to audition, many of the local shops don't have lower models mounted or identical double turntables for comparison. I went with my gut and dropped a minimal amount of cash on it, figured $100 what is the worse that can happen. Well, I am thoroughly disappointed.

I picked it up since I thought my cart was worn and I needed something to tie me over until I get something serious. My old cart is a Grace F9 Ruby and it beats the pants off of the 2M. I have not let the 2M burn in, but there is such a huge difference between the level of detail between the two carts that I really don't think I can stomach the 2M burned in or not.

The 2M sounds muddy, bright, and is lacking detail big time. Jazz at the pawnshop, take five sounded nice, especially the bottom end but everything else was wrong. Jimi Hendrix came on next, bold as love and little wing were used to audition. Wow, Voice is horrid and the guitar solos made me want to leave the room.

The one thing I can say, surface noise was minimized with the 2M, I think this is due to its inability to pick up detail. I thought my f9 was worn, but it sounds A1 in comparison.

What now, upgrade to the blue? I don't get a refund, otherwise I would take it. Dealer doesn't carry audio technica or denon for the 440 and 160 cannot be exchange candidates. I am seeking a warm and detailed sound. What do you guys think? Should I be more patient and wait for burn in, or is that an uphill battle? Hope to hear from you, thanks.

PS: dealer carries: Dynavector, Ortofon, Lyra, Grado and a couple of others.
dfelkai
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
BTW, Axelwhal as regards your comment,

"AND even their 'nude' options often used just a dab of bonding on top."

A bonded tip refers to a smaller diamond chip being bonded to a slug of metal, that whole assembly being attached to the cantilever. A nude mounted diamond, is a diamond that has a shank that is part of the diamond and is mounted directly to the cantilever. Both methods of mounting typically involve the use of adhesives. A bonded tip typically is of lower quality and the metal usually involves greater tip mass. That is why the Blue, which is a nude mounted diamond is the more expensive cartridge. Glad to clear that one up.
headsnappin's avatar
headsnappin
295 posts
 
Is there a cartridge around $100 that is readily available that is clearly better than the Ortofon Red?
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
What's the best pair of $100.00 shoes? It's a matter of taste, and mine would be to the much less expensive Audio Technica AT120E, but if you like a lush, full sound, the Grado Red might be attractive and for a little more scratch the Denon DL-110 is a very fine low output MC. Some like the Shure M97xE as well, it is a bit dark, but a fine tracker and very arm tolerant.
headsnappin's avatar
headsnappin
295 posts
 
Like usual, an excellent post Viridian. So it is not a "BAD" cartridge.
dfelkai OP
89 posts
 
Viridian,

I have not seen shoes for 50,000 but there are cartridges for 50,000. If it was possible to wear the 2m reds as shoes maybe....no I change my mind: it still wouldn't be worth it. You would need 2 of them...I would opt for the Nike.

I don't listen to the sound/dollar ratio, my ears don't adjust based on the cost of the cart.

That being said, perhaps I expected too much out of this little budget cart, or maybe it just doesn't work well with my system...there are many that like it you be the judge.

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