Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 MM cartridge

To commemorate the 250^th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig von Beethoven, Ortofon offers in 2021 a unique MM cartridge, the 2M Black LVB 250! This “Ludwig van Beethoven 250^th Anniversary” Ortofon cartridge is designed based on the manufacturer’s flagship model, the Ortofon 2M Black, which is surely one of the best MM cartridges ever created.

Given that the latter already provided outstanding performance, it was no easy feat to change it while ensuring even greater qualities! Ortofon decided to focus on the moving system, and thus borrowing the one present on the famous and remarkable Ortofon Cadenza Black.

ORTOFON 2M BLACK LVB 250: STYLUS AND CANTILEVER

As a matter of fact, the 2M Black LVB 250 cartridge uses a Nude Shibata stylus on a boron cantilever.

The Nude Shibata stylus’s slim, highly polished profile allows an exceedingly wide contact area to the groove walls. This allows to ensure notably detailed reproduction throughout the spectrum, including even the highest frequencies.

The use of a boron cantilever allows to maintain high neutrality and remarkable dynamics. Boron is an extremely stiff and lightweight metalloid. However, using this moving system required extensive research on the suspension system.

ORTOFON 2M BLACK LVB 250: TECHNOLOGY

To attain an optimal interaction between the compliance and damping of the moving system, Ortofon developed a new rubber compound. This rubber compound formula is based on the Multi Wall Carbon Nano Tubes (MWCNT) highly efficient nano filler.

The new MWCNT-based compound offers desirable mechanical properties, which ensure better damping and improve the overall performance of the phono cartridge. The MWCNT powder is applied in a rubber polymer matrix and not in a powdered form, which makes the production process more clean, non-polluting and energy saving.

ORTOFON 2M BLACK LVB 250: SETUP

Application is fairly simple, and the alignment is not a problem. The application is pretty similar to the 2M Black, the only difference being the tracking force (1.6 g). Still, we have kept an antiskating of 1.5.

Of course, this MM cartridge is designed for high-performance turntables and tonearms, as well as very high-quality MM phono preamplifiers.

ORTOFON 2M BLACK LVB 250: TESTING AND LISTENING

Considering the range and ambition of this phono cartridge, we associated it with two pretty different turntables (REGA Planar 6 and Pro-Ject X-Tension 10) and a reference preamplifier below 1,500 euros (Aurorasound Vida Prima). 

From the first few measures, we realise what we’re dealing with. The Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 shows unique transparency and attention to detail among moving magnet cartridges.

Definition and transparency are both stunning. One would think to be in presence of an MC cartridge… The finesse and precision of the high end of the spectrum are worth mentioning. Bass is very articulated and particularly precise. There's also a surprisingly clear midrange without any distortion or surface noise.

Of course, the 2M Black LVB 250 is less soft and “round” than the standard 2M Black. However, it’s more neutral and true.

The bandwidth is incredibly wide. No boundaries are felt across both ends of the sound spectrum. Dynamics are excellent, though the Cadenza Red MC cartridge provides better transients. Noise level is barely perceptible… There’s no breathing nor surface noise whatsoever, silences are religiously respected.

The Ortofon 2M Black Ludwig van Beethoven 250 Anniversary MM cartridge is surely THE best high output MM cartridge currently available… Even though it cannot compete against an MC cartridge in terms of finesse and nuance, it remains a real exploit and a reference!

Would recommend!

AWARDS:

EISA Award - Best Product - 2021/2022