{"product_id":"ortofon-2m-red-mm-tonabnehmer","title":"Ortofon 2M Red MM Cartridge (Elliptical)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Ortofon 2M Red is an MM cartridge with an elliptical diamond – the entry point into the 2M series and one of the best-selling cartridges ever. If you have a decent turntable and want to move on from the stock system it came with, the 2M Red is almost always the sensible first step.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the 2M Red?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause it gets the important things right and doesn't promise anything it can't deliver. The elliptical diamond tracks the groove noticeably more precisely than the simple conical styli of many entry-level systems – you hear that as cleaner treble, clearer voices and less sibilance in loud passages. No magic, just solid engineering at a fair price.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you hear\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn honest, balanced sound across every genre. The 2M Red doesn't push itself forward; it plays neutral and effortless. Jazz, classical, rock, electronic – it holds its own with all of them without weakening anywhere. That's exactly what makes it such a reliable all-rounder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is the 2M Red for – and who isn't it for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdeal for beginners and anyone who wants to move their turntable up from the stock cartridge to a proper branded one without spending a lot of money. \u003cstrong\u003eStraight talk:\u003c\/strong\u003e the diamond is elliptical, but bonded rather than nude – if you already know you want the last bit of resolution, look straight at the 2M Blue instead. The nice part: you can later simply clip on the 2M Blue's stylus assembly and be a class up, without swapping the whole cartridge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2M Red is the most sensible first step into the branded world of cartridges – and for many, it's already the destination. Clean, honest, genre-proof, affordable and easy to upgrade later. That Stereophile itself lists even this entry-level cartridge as a Recommended Component says it all really. Hand on heart: starting here, you rarely go wrong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCartridge type: MM (moving magnet)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTracking diamond: elliptical (bonded)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTip radius: r\/R 8\/18 µm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput voltage: 5.5 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm\/s)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrequency response: 20–20,000 Hz (+3\/−1 dB)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrequency range: 20–22,000 Hz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChannel separation: 22 dB (1 kHz) \/ 15 dB (15 kHz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChannel balance: 1.5 dB (1 kHz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTracking ability: 70 µm (315 Hz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStylus compliance: 20 µm\/mN\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommended tracking force: 1.8 g (range 1.6–2.0 g)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommended load resistance: 47 kOhm · capacitance: 150–300 pF\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternal resistance (DC): 1.3 kOhm · Inductance: 700 mH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommended tonearm: light to medium mass\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHousing material: Lexan DMX\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 7.2 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacement stylus: Stylus 2M Red (upgrade possible: Stylus 2M Blue)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat's included: cartridge, stylus brush, screwdriver, mounting screws, alignment gauge (the 2M packaging doubles as an alignment gauge)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat phono input does the 2M Red need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn MM input (moving magnet) at 47 kOhm. Practically every phono preamp and many integrated amplifiers with a built-in phono stage have one – you don't need an MC input or step-up transformer. With 150–300 pF capacitance, you're on the safe side. That keeps getting started uncomplicated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs upgrading from the 2M Red to the 2M Blue worthwhile?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, and it's remarkably easy. Red and Blue share the same generator – you just clip the Stylus 2M Blue assembly onto the Red and get the Blue's nude elliptical diamond. No need to buy a new cartridge or realign much. A cheap, clearly audible step up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy the Ortofon 2M Red at HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause we'll tell you honestly whether the Red suits your turntable or whether another step would bring more – and mount and align it properly for you if you'd like. HD Zürisee in Wädenswil is an authorised Ortofon partner with an experienced team; call or write to us, we'll help match it to your setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGoes well with:\u003c\/strong\u003e a matching \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/phono-vorverstarker\"\u003ephono preamp\u003c\/a\u003e, a solid \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/plattenspieler\"\u003eturntable\u003c\/a\u003e as a base and more \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/tonabnehmer\"\u003ecartridges\u003c\/a\u003e to compare.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ortofon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52989547643216,"sku":"301172","price":99.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/ortofon-2m-red-tonabnehmer-perspektive-links.png?v=1786629370","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/ortofon-2m-red-mm-tonabnehmer","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}