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Looking For A Dialogue Around Using An Ortofon MC2000 In My Current System

As a bit of history, I used to work in a stereo store part time as a college student. This store was an Ortofon dealer and the owner was a fan of the MC2000, and we typically had one in the store. I was too poor to afford it, but it was always on my want list. Last week I came across an MC2000 on an audio site and bought it. This one is as close to a time capsule as we can get for vintage MC cartridges. While not NOS its in perfect shape with Ortofon outer box, Styrofoam, intter box, all the tools, the graphs, two stylus guards, and even an Ortofon stick pin I presume for you to wear to audio shows to signify you are an MC2000 owner. The stock and irreplaceable cantilever is there and its straight, and rides high. Of course the unknown is diamond wear, and so I am planning to send it out for evaluation and consideration for diamond replacement. 

 

Now the question becomes how to use it. First comes a suitable arm. I have two Dynavector DV505 for a Scheu Das Laufwerk No2 turntable that I can use, and also a Supex SL4 headshell that weighs 5.5 grams or so. I have the stock headshell that comes with the MC2000, but that looks to weigh 10 grams, and this cartridge is highly compliant. I also have a SME V that is spec'd between 10 and 11 grams. I almost consider the SME to be the best match for this application, but then that regulated the number of hours I might use that table as the MC2000 isn't going to be a daily driver cartridge. 

 

Next question is how to get enough gain for it. The owner apparently has the T2000, but is unwilling to part with it at this time. So ideally I would like to find a T2000. I also have an MC3000, and so need the step up for it, and I happen to also have a MC200u. My Esoteric E-03 has 40 db of gain on MM mode, and I have a Graham Slee Accession that is 41.5 dB of gain. The Esoteric is 66 dB in MC mode. So until I locate a T2000 I wondered what options I have. Jensen makes a high output SUT that is 31 dB of gain and seems to be the best choice. I do not see any active pre-pre amps that can do the job. Any thoughts here?

 

As a crazy thought, the Accession has a direct mode that bypasses all RIAA equalization, so its really a pre pre amp then. But placing the Esoteric ahead of it means you are looking at a gain structure of over 80 dB. Probably not a good idea, but I wonder if it could work. Just brainstorming here. Of course the perfect solution is to find a T2000, or even in a pinch a T3000 for the interim till I do locate a T2000. Problem is these SUT have collectors value and they seem to go for silly money these days. But that is what it is, and you have to pay the piper. 

 

So any thoughts on the best way to get this MC2000 integrated into the system?

neonknight

Showing 3 responses by edgewear

edgewear
543 posts
 

The MC2000 is generally considered a difficult customer to satisfy, due to its unusual combination of extremily low output level and very high compliance. However, in my experience the output level is more problematic to deal with than the compliance. A total gain of 66dB is probably too low and you will likely experience some level of hum or hiss. You should aim for at least 70dB, so with a 30dB SUT you’ll be fine, provided the phono stage and SUT are both of very high quality. So there’s no need to hunt down the rare 35dB T-2000. I use the MC2000 with the 30dB T-3000 for a total of 70dB gain without the slightest noise. The ‘000’ SUT series are expensive because they are silver wired, but still bargains compared to what silver wired SUT’s cost new these days.

As for compliance, it works splendidly with a heavy gun like FR-64S, but equally fine with several medium effective mass tonearms I operate. No experience with the Dyna or the SME, but I suspect they will both work just fine with MC2000.
Good luck with your purchase, if you get it right you’re in for a real treat.

edgewear
543 posts
 

@rauliruegas +1, 

The Entré ET100 is a great recommendation, but the ET200 is an even better choice as it is dedicated to low impedance MC’s and has no switching. The gain is 30dB, which will be enough in combination with you Esoteric phono amp. Price is in the same ballpark as ET100.

Raul’s experience seems to confirm mine that the MC2000 can be used with a wide range of tonearms. The unusual choice of a heavy aluminium body for such a high compliance system may be responsible for its compatibility with higher mass arms, while at the same time ruling out the use of low mass tonearms designed for lightweight high compliance MM’s. I believe this was a deliberate choice on Ortofon’s part, which could explain why it seems to work quite well with higher mass tonearms. Perhaps it was even intended for such tonearms……

 

 

edgewear
543 posts
 

Lewm, what you say makes perfect sense and I don’t think you have gone wrong. On that theoretically sound basis the MC200 should not work properly in a high mass tonearm, let alone an FR64S. And yet it absolutely does, as it also does in the FR64FX, Audiocraft AC4400 and Pioneer EA-70 (tonearm of the PL70L II) none of which would qualify as lightweight tonearms. So what seems logical in theory works out very differently in practice.

My perhaps faulty suspicion (not logic) is that Ortofon must have been aware of this behaviour. Or else why would they decide in favour of the akward combination of high body mass and very high compliance for their statement cartridge?

I did my homework prior to purchase and considered the risk of a tonearm mismatch, but my curiosity to hear the MC2000 was simply too strong. To my surprise and delight it has worked splendidly.

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