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Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 - top MM cartridge

Manufactoring and distribution: Ortofon Denmark - price DKR 7.495,- (1000 Euro)

Latest update 14 March 2021 (follo up Apris 2021 at the bottum)




MM cartrdige that pays homat to Beethoven - Ortofons 2M Black LVB 250

LVB Logo
Early 2008 I reviewed the then brand new 2M cartridges. It was the Red and the Blue who received a good evalutation and a big welcome. They delivered good sound in the affordable price range. 

Red and Blue are now sitting on countless turntables around the world. I have experienced several times. how they have thrilled audiences who did not know it was the cheap ones in the 2M series they were listening to. Since then, the Ortofon 2M series has expanded and triumphed worldwide, as budget MM pickups in the affordable price range, up to the top range model 2M Black. On the occasion that good old Ludwig Van Beethoven would have turned 250 years old in 2020, there is now an upgraded version of 2M Black. This is of course called the 2M Black LVB 250 and has a nice little picture of the master himself on the cartridge body.

2M Black LVB 250

The black body is the same as the 2M Black. Made of a newly developed Lexan DMX Piano Black, a material that ensures high stability and at the same time eliminating unwanted internal resonances. The coil system is with silver-plated copper wire. Where Ortofon has invested in the improved Black LVB is in the diamond tip, as well as the cantilever and the suspension. In fact, the tip and the cantilever are taken from one of their good MC cartridges - namely the Cadenza Black.

Needle shape is thus a naked Shibata. A slightly older, proven profile that is gradually being used in several places - also by other manufacturers of cartridges. But why this choice? Well, it was originally designed to handle the 45 kHz associated with CD4 quadrophony. But at the same time it is easier to track the very small grooves at the end of the record and thus ensure a better quality. One may wonder why Ortofon did not choose their own Replicant type, but either it does not fit this cartridge or it is too expensive and therefore reserved for Ortofons top MC models.

The cantilever is boron and very thin. If you compare it to the "old" 2M Black, you can clearly see the difference. See the pictures below. There is clearly a lower moving mass in the new version. The suspension is made of a newly developed MWCNT rubber compound. The term refers to the fact that it is based on Multi Wall Carbon Nano Tubes. This nanotube construction ensures optimal resonance attenuation. At the same time, it involves a less polluting and an energy-saving production, which is probably significant in these times. Compliance is set at 22, so we are still in an area where the slightly heavier arms can be used. This pickup can easily be used in a Jelco arm, or arms from Rega, Project and Technics.
The LVB 250 replacement stylus unit also fits the "old" 2M Black or 2M Bronze. It is thus possible to buy an LVB replacement stylus and have your cartridge  upgraded.

2M Black naal
Black LVB naalLVB cantilever

The first two pictures above are downloaded from the web. They clearly show differences on the stylus itself - it is 2M Black at the left and the new Black LVB in the middle. At the right a nice picture of the shiny boron cantilever with the Shibata stylus.

LVB terminalSetting up

Usually I can (almost) mount a cartridge in my sleep. But not a 2M Black LVB! Firstly, the 4 small terminals are very close and secondly, they have changed the connections a bit. Like the other pickups in the 2M series, they are turned 90 degrees. Red and White sit on top of each other and the associated Green and Blue sits diagonally opposite them. Very strange, but the connections must be crossed internally, because when you follow the instructions it works (see picture). If you connect them like ordinary pickups (also Ortofon's own MC types), you get a very strange phase-reversed signal.

Next problem was my carbon fiber headshell. It has been used many times before, but here it did not work. A clear buzz and hum. Then switched to a solid Jelco aluminum headshell and the problem was solved. Actually, I probably should have used an Ortofon headshell, but the ones I have are for mounting pickups without internal threading.

After that, it all went much smoother. The pickup is light and there were no problems with the mounting in my Dynavector DV-507 mk II arm. Also tried it in my Glanz MH124 arm but ended up using my Jelco TK-850L. The VTF was adjusted to the recommended 1.6 grams and there came music!  I used my Accuphase C27 RIAA as well as a smaller RIAA from Holton Precision Audio.
Down memory lane

After a few months playing around with high-end MC cartridges, I just had to refresh what good MM pickups could do. Found some older cartridges. My Orthofon Concorde Century, Shure V15 IV with Jico SAS stylus and of course my little Audio Technica VM95SH, now wrapped in a cocobolo wooden house. None of these are in the same price range as the 2M Black LVB, yet there are some similarities.

It was not only old cartridges that were taken out of their hiding. Old music was dusted off as well. The LVB 250 sounded a bit squeezed right out of the box. There was a lack of air and somewhat restrained sound. Therefore, it was allowed to play many records. Good old known records with Electric Light Orchestra, Deep Purple, Supertramp, Eric Clapton and many other old favorites. Slowly the cartridge woke up and delivered a more vivid and open sound. Not quite as open as my much more expensive MC cartridges, but I had not expected that now either. However, it clearly showed that a god MM in this class can play music!

LVB on coverTechnical data:
Output voltage - 5 mV
Channel difference v. 1 kHz <1 dB
Channel separation
v. 1 kHz> 27 dB /
v. 15 kHz 15 dB
Frequency range 20 - 20,000 + 2 / -1 dB
Recommended needle pressure 1.6 grams (16 mN)
Tracking ability v. 315 Hz and recommended needle pressure 80 um
Needle type Naked Shibata - radius r / R 5/50 um
Cantilever - boron
Internal impedance 1.2 kohm
Recommended load 47 kohm / 150 - 300 pF
Weight 7.5 g

The Sound of LVB - Rock, pop and Beethoven

After a few weeks of playing the many old records, I had to sit down and listen properly. What was that? This sounds very smooth and the upper range is nice with fine details. Definitely not like a typical MM. The top is airy and very easy on the ears. It is somewhat atypical compared to many other MM pickups, which in comparison may appear somewhat closed in the top octave. Here we find details that are allowed to emerge, but  still placed correctly in the sound image behind the speakers .Is it a combination of the cantilever and the Shibata stylus? I have experienced before how pickups with thicker aluminum cantilevers  (eg after repair) change the sound to a somewhat more "bold" and full-bodied top that is not so distinct. That was certainly not the case here.

The midrange is well defined and neutral, however, with a slight tendency to fill a bit more more – be a litte wider in the image. There is a slight warmth and "coziness" over the voices - in fact the whole rendition. LVB is a "cozy pickup" that has a hard time getting raw and aggressive in its way of playing. The bottom is in place - a bit full-bodied but again with the slightly relaxed and generally smooth playing style.

Holton og LVBI have previously noticed that typical MM pickups have a certain nostalgic feel. They often sound like "back then" when I started with hifi in the 70's. Slightly robust and with a forgiving sound. This is how they should sound when playing the Beatles, ELO and Supertramp. Back here in 2021 I put the Eagles on. Their double album "Long Road out of Eden". Now - this is something else. The massive and slightly compact top range  is gone and replaced by an easy-flowing and very comfortable way of reproducing the details. The beautiful choirs on the record are albeit a little smaller in the soundscape, so with lots of details and sharply defined. The image also defined well in the back with a good depth and perspective. I have recently heard a number of absolutely excellent MM pickups that in no way hold back. Ortofon 2M Black LVB is definitely one of the better.

Heard a little of Kari Bremnes / Over a City. A record with her voice in the foreground and with a single guitar or piano. On several tracks a violent bottom. No doubt Black LVB manages to penetrate deep into the music. Both technically, where the piano is nice clean and transparent and with a fine rendition of the female voice. Precisely and with a little extra body. The best thing, however, is the top which is smooth, soft and incredibly comfortable. Gone are all the typical MM tendencies to show a slightly physically compact rendering that skips where the fence is lowest. Here you get both details and lightness that very few MM pickups will deliver. Or for that matter also show something that the cheaper MC cartridges lack. I have never heard such a top from e.g. a Denon DL-103.

Of course, Beethoven was also something i had to play. My 5 double album with Beethoven's piano concerts was the choise. Now I'm probably more into his colleague Mozart (who the pickup also plays well), but here was a big sound image and a good smooth reproduction of the piano as well asthe strings. A rendering that never became massive or harsh. The LVB 250 handled the big soundimage and the entire space behind the speakers stood out nicely with details far back. If otherwise it is in the recording, then it will emerge. I also tried a couple of other LPs with classical music and yes - it definitely does play classical music as well as pop, jazz or rock.

Conclusion

With 2M Black LVB, Ortofon has focused on getting the best out of an MM pickup. They must be said to have succeeded. It has an excellent airy and detailed top and delivers a smooth and homogeneous reproduction. You could say that it plays warm and somewhat intimate with a slightly smaller soundstage. A real "cozy pickup" that fits all music genres, but which does not just deliver the last big and open sound, like the better MC cartridges.

Absolutely approved. If you are in possession of a 2M Black or Bronze, the LVB replacement stylus fits them and you get an easy and quick upgrade.
However, it is impossible to ignore the fact that there are a number of competitors in the same price range. Both Ortofon and others have excellent MCs or high output MC types, which in many areas will make it a little difficult for the 2M Black LVB 250. Yes, most require a good MC input, which makes it all somewhat more expensive. But even the high output versions will in many cases have something extra, while the Black LVB 250 is holding back in its own laid-back way.
Thus, it is a choice one makes. Are you happy with the sound that the 2M series stands for and if you prefer the MM, then there is no doubt - the 2M Black LVB will be an obvious choice and the quality is definitely at the top among MM cartridges.

LVB in boxLVB Black ortofon

Follow up - April 2021

Everyhting comes to the one that waits. Almost!  But there certainly has happened something with the Black LVB, aftar having played several hours. I guess that the specal suspension needs some time to reach the optimal softness. The sound is still very much controlled, so there still is not a lot of space for letting go and be up front. But at the other side you sit and llisten with a feeling, that everything is easy and unhindered. No matter what record you try with this cartridge, it responds without any stress and agressive sounds. Dynamic drumms and firm bass - YES! Attacj and decay of the piano - YES! An airy top with details and substance - YES. There is a sence of wholeness in the reproduction, which will catch you with time. Still a bit different from a good MC in the same priceclass, but why should all cartridges sound the same? I have now been listening to records for several hours played with the Black LVB. I don¨t think it will be my favorite cartridge to show of my system, but i will use it when i just want to listen to good music withous beeing distracted. Yes it is possible to read a good book and listen to music at the samle time. I find it very much possible with thiis Ortofon cartridge. I can enjoy both music and the book, especially combined with a good glass of wine. 


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