Ortofon 2M Black Premounted MM Cartridge

The Ortofon 2M Black Premounted is an MM cartridge with a nude Shibata stylus, supplied ready-mounted on an Ortofon headshell (SH-4). You plug the flagship of the 2M series directly into a tonearm with a bayonet/SME connection – without having to fit this valuable cartridge into the headshell yourself.

Why the 2M Black Premounted?

The 2M Black competes in a price range where Moving Coil cartridges usually start – and holds its own with a big, gripping way of playing. The nude Shibata stylus tracks more finely than its elliptical siblings, and the silver-plated OFC winding delivers calm and drive. Premounted means: this sound, without the risk of mounting it yourself.

What you get

Voices with body, cymbals with air, a bass that drives instead of merely hinting at itself – a mature, big way of playing reminiscent of Ortofon's legendary SPU classics. Plus the matching headshell as a ready-made unit for immediate use.

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

Ideal for anyone with a bayonet tonearm and a good to very good turntable who wants the maximum from the MM world. Bottom line: On a wobbly entry-level tonearm, you throw away its potential. And with a fixed headshell (many Rega arms, quite a few suspended-subchassis turntables), the Premounted version doesn't fit – then go with the standard or 2MR Black.

Our verdict

The series flagship as a convenient plug-in unit: MC-like sound, MM convenience, no mounting stress. For bayonet tonearms, the most direct route to the Black.

Technical specifications

• Cartridge type: MM (Moving Magnet)
• Version: premounted on Ortofon headshell (SH-4), for bayonet/SME tonearms
• Stylus tip: Shibata, nude
• Tip radius: r/R 6/50 µm
• Output voltage: 5 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/s)
• Frequency response: 20–20,000 Hz (+2/−0 dB)
• Channel separation: 26 dB (1 kHz)
• Stylus compliance: 22 µm/mN
• Recommended tracking force: 1.5 g (1.4–1.7 g)
• Recommended load: 47 kOhm · 150–300 pF
• Recommended tonearm mass: light to medium
• Winding: silver-plated OFC copper wire
• Cartridge weight: 7.2 g (plus headshell)
• Replacement stylus: Stylus 2M Black
• Included: cartridge premounted on Ortofon headshell SH-4, stylus brush

Frequently asked questions

Which phono input does the 2M Black need?

An MM input (Moving Magnet) with 47 kOhm. Practically all phono preamps have one, as do many integrated amps with a phono stage – no MC input or step-up transformer needed. That's exactly what makes the Black so uncomplicated: MC-like sound, without the MC effort.

What's the advantage of the premounted version?

You don't have to mount and wire the cartridge onto the headshell yourself – the ready-made unit clicks directly into your tonearm via the bayonet mount. That's the simplest solution for anyone with a removable headshell. Handy on top: with several premounted headshells, you switch between cartridges in seconds, say a second one with a different stylus for mono or shellac.

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

Because a cartridge of this class only sounds as good as its mounting and the system around it. We'll check whether your tonearm accepts the bayonet headshell and fine-tune the unit. HD Zürisee in Wädenswil is an authorised Ortofon dealer with its own technician – call us or send us a message.

Goes well with

Goes well with: a matching phono preamp, a high-quality turntable as a foundation, and other cartridges to compare.