Ortofon 2M 78 Premounted (Shellac Cartridge)

The Ortofon 2M 78 Premounted is an MM cartridge for 78 rpm shellac records, supplied factory-mounted on an Ortofon headshell (SH-4). You plug the ready-made unit onto your tonearm's bayonet mount, set the tracking force – and your shellacs are ready to play.

Why the 2M 78 Premounted?

It combines the right technology for shellac – a spherical stylus with a 65 µm radius and a mono generator – with the convenience of factory mounting. The wide groove of old 78s is tracked cleanly, the mono generator suppresses vertical rumble and noticeably lowers the noise floor. And because the cartridge is already aligned in the headshell, you skip the fiddly mounting process.

What you get

An interchangeable headshell that brings your shellac collection to life with body and directness – and swaps in and out for your vinyl setup in no time. For collectors with a mixed collection, that's worth its weight in gold.

Who is the 2M 78 Premounted for – and who isn't it for?

For shellac listeners with a tonearm that accepts bayonet/SME headshells and who want to switch quickly between cartridges. Bottom line: If your tonearm has a fixed headshell, the Premounted version won't help you – the regular 2M 78 is the right choice then. And for vinyl, the 78 stylus remains the wrong choice.

Our verdict

The 2M 78 Premounted is the convenient solution for anyone who listens to vinyl and shellac side by side. Ready-mounted, quickly swapped, clean in sound.

Technical specifications

• Cartridge type: MM (Moving Magnet), mono generator
• Version: premounted on Ortofon headshell (SH-4), for bayonet/SME tonearms
• Series: 2M 78 (for 78 rpm, shellac)
• Stylus tip: spherical
• Tip radius: 65 µm
• Output voltage: 4.0 mV
• Recommended tracking force: 1.8 g (1.6–2.0 g)
• Recommended load resistance: 47 kOhm · capacitance: 150–300 pF
• Cartridge weight: 7.2 g (plus headshell)
• Included: cartridge premounted on Ortofon headshell SH-4, stylus brush

Frequently asked questions

Can I switch between vinyl and shellac with this?

That's exactly what the Premounted version is made for. You keep one headshell for vinyl and one for shellac ready, and swap them in seconds depending on the record. This requires a tonearm with a bayonet/SME headshell and a turntable that spins at 78 rpm – we're happy to check that with you.

Which tonearms does the 2M 78 Premounted fit?

For tonearms with a removable headshell and bayonet/SME connection. If your tonearm has a fixed headshell, you can't use the premounted unit – then go with the regular 2M 78. You still set tracking force and anti-skate after plugging it in; alignment in the headshell is already done.

Why buy the Ortofon 2M 78 Premounted at HD Zürisee?

Because years of hands-on experience taught us what matters with shellac – from the right turntable to the right preamp. We'll set up the cartridge for you, check whether your deck is 78-capable, and as an authorised Ortofon dealer we're here for you after the purchase too.

Goes well with

Goes well with: a mono-capable phono preamp, a 78-capable turntable, or other cartridges for your mixed collection.