Ortofon 2MR black MM Cartridge for Rega

The Ortofon 2MR black is a moving magnet cartridge with a nude Shibata stylus, whose housing is built for the three-point mounting of Rega tonearms. It brings the technology of the flagship 2M Black into the narrow, lightweight 6-gram body made specifically for Rega.

The Black's Shibata stylus is among the best an MM cartridge can offer – and with the 2MR black you hang exactly that level onto a Rega arm, without worrying about spacers or mounting height.

Why the 2MR black?

The nude Shibata stylus has a particularly large contact area with the groove. That means the finest treble resolution, excellent tracking even in the inner grooves, and a spatial quality otherwise reserved for pricier MC cartridges. In the 2MR housing, that sound quality sits perfectly on a Rega – light, narrow, no spacer.

What you get

A reproduction that lifts your Rega close to high-end territory: open, finely fanned-out treble, cleanly layered soundstages, and a composure that sorts even complex music with ease. This is the top model of the regular 2MR range.

Who is the 2MR black for – and who isn't it for?

For Rega owners with a high-quality system that genuinely resolves this level of detail. Straight talk: on a simple chain, the Black won't show its potential – then the 2MR bronze is the more sensible choice. And without a Rega turntable, you don't need the 2MR body – then the standard 2M Black fits.

Our verdict

The 2MR black draws the maximum of the MM world out of a Rega – mounted to fit exactly, with no compromise on sound. For the right system, a genuine highlight.

Technical specifications

• Type: MM cartridge (moving magnet), for Rega tonearms
• Series: 2MR black
• Stylus profile: nude Shibata
• Tip radius r/R: 6/50 µm
• Output voltage: 5 mV
• Channel separation: 26 dB (1 kHz)
• Stylus compliance: 22 µm/mN
• Recommended tracking force: 1.5 g (1.4–1.7 g)
• Load resistance: 47 kOhm
• Load capacitance: 150–300 pF
• Mounting: Rega three-point mounting, no spacer
• Weight: 6 g
• What's included: cartridge, stylus brush, screwdriver, mounting screws (Rega three-point mounting)

Frequently asked questions

Is the Shibata stylus worth it over the Bronze's Fine Line?

On a resolving system, yes – the nude Shibata plays even more open and spacious than the Bronze's Fine Line. On a simpler chain, the difference is smaller. We're happy to audition it with you and tell you honestly whether the step up pays off for your system or the money is better spent elsewhere.

What's the difference between the 2MR black and the standard 2M Black?

Only in the mounting. The 2MR black sits in the narrow 6-gram Rega body with three-point mounting, the 2M Black uses the usual half-inch mounting. Nude Shibata stylus, generator and sound are identical. Without a Rega arm, take the 2M Black; on a Rega, the 2MR black spares you the spacer fiddling.

Why buy the 2MR black at HD Zürisee?

Because we know from nearly three decades how to set up a flagship cartridge properly – and that a Shibata stylus demands careful alignment. Our technician Mauri fits it precisely, and as an authorised Ortofon dealer in Wädenswil we handle the warranty correctly. At HD Zürisee you get skill, not just a box.

Goes well with

Goes well with: a high-quality phono preamp, a matching turntable or the special edition of the 2MR range.