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Ortofon 2M Red Not Happy Need advice

I just got myself a 2M red. was not able to audition, many of the local shops don't have lower models mounted or identical double turntables for comparison. I went with my gut and dropped a minimal amount of cash on it, figured $100 what is the worse that can happen. Well, I am thoroughly disappointed.

I picked it up since I thought my cart was worn and I needed something to tie me over until I get something serious. My old cart is a Grace F9 Ruby and it beats the pants off of the 2M. I have not let the 2M burn in, but there is such a huge difference between the level of detail between the two carts that I really don't think I can stomach the 2M burned in or not.

The 2M sounds muddy, bright, and is lacking detail big time. Jazz at the pawnshop, take five sounded nice, especially the bottom end but everything else was wrong. Jimi Hendrix came on next, bold as love and little wing were used to audition. Wow, Voice is horrid and the guitar solos made me want to leave the room.

The one thing I can say, surface noise was minimized with the 2M, I think this is due to its inability to pick up detail. I thought my f9 was worn, but it sounds A1 in comparison.

What now, upgrade to the blue? I don't get a refund, otherwise I would take it. Dealer doesn't carry audio technica or denon for the 440 and 160 cannot be exchange candidates. I am seeking a warm and detailed sound. What do you guys think? Should I be more patient and wait for burn in, or is that an uphill battle? Hope to hear from you, thanks.

PS: dealer carries: Dynavector, Ortofon, Lyra, Grado and a couple of others.
dfelkai

Showing 12 responses by dfelkai

dfelkai OP
89 posts
 
LOL the only people on earth crazier than audiophiles are clearly sneaker buffs. I stand corrected.
dfelkai OP
89 posts
 
>> "Exploit your loss?

It's a $99 cartridge not 100,000 shares of General Motors stock.

LOL!!!!! Yeah dinner for 2 sounds like a better investment to me then this cartridge.
dfelkai OP
89 posts
 
I wish I could short cartridges, shorting this one would be almost as nice as a short position in GM 6 Months ago.
dfelkai OP
89 posts
 
Viridian,

I have not seen shoes for 50,000 but there are cartridges for 50,000. If it was possible to wear the 2m reds as shoes maybe....no I change my mind: it still wouldn't be worth it. You would need 2 of them...I would opt for the Nike.

I don't listen to the sound/dollar ratio, my ears don't adjust based on the cost of the cart.

That being said, perhaps I expected too much out of this little budget cart, or maybe it just doesn't work well with my system...there are many that like it you be the judge.

dfelkai OP
89 posts
 
Did a baerwald on it; I think it is pretty well aligned.
dfelkai OP
89 posts
 
Pre is good, Cartridge not so much.
dfelkai OP
89 posts
 
" So, you bought a bottom of the line cartridge with a bonded stylus and aluminum cantilever and it doesn't sound as good as your nude mounted stylus on a ruby cantilvered top-of-the-line cartrdige. We'll just have to call Colombo on this one."

You are right, so right. I got the cart from my old man, and he got it in a trade over 20 years ago. He told me that he used it for about an hour before reverting back to his supex cart. It was used for 30 hours when he got it, hardly broken in. It is a little noisy, and my inexperience lead me to believe perhaps the suspension is gone on it. I think I was wrong.

I believe the Ruby retailed for $300, in 1980 dollars, not sure though.

As for the VTA, yes 3 mm did help, but the adjustment yielded a minor improvement, in my finds eye (or ear).

A buddy of mine bought the 2M Blue at the same time as me, I tried it last night. I am not going to lie when I say that the difference between the Red and the Blue is negligible. Am I just crazy, or does it sound like many of the same flaws from the red carry over into the blue? has anyone else done an A/B like I have, if so what have you found?
dfelkai OP
89 posts
 
Well, I am disappointed by the 2M red and Blue. I see lots of hype and no results. Even my girlfriend was able to pick out the grace f9 when I blind tested her. I think I might call the cash I dropped on it a sunk cost, as I the shop doesn't carry anything I am interested in apart from an entry level dynavector.

As a side note, it can easily become more expensive to experiment with bogus cartridges then to just drop the cash on something nice to begin with. Shops these days hardly have analog listening rooms, and the chances of having two decks set for an A/B on carts that are properly mounted is virtually impossible. I would have hoped that I could trust the reviews I have been reading, but I have been let down.

The hunt continues, I am going to seriously consider soundsmith for a retip (when needed). I am curious whether or not they can do something about the suspension as well.
dfelkai OP
89 posts
 
" It's not easy to buy steak on a hamburger budget."

You can say that again, looks like I got taco bell meat instead of hamburger meat. This cartridge would make a sad and weak bbq!
dfelkai OP
89 posts
 
Donate, no. Sell maybe, but I don't think we can talk about that in here, I would have to post the item for sale. Arrangements can certainly be made if you wish to exploit my loss.
dfelkai OP
89 posts
 
gimme some more on the 2m red vs m97xe. I am particularly curious about the detail/accuracy, and harshness.

Though I agree that at these price ranges we shouldn't be splitting hairs.
dfelkai OP
89 posts
 
" Viridian has the best response so far... Try comparing this (after it beaks in!) to another cart in the same price range before damming it so much. So the ruby sounds better even after it breaks in, it is still not available new. If I read another post about someone discussing any audio component's sound before it breaks in I'll puke. "

people overrate "break in". It is perfect for dealers to use that excuse, it is quite convenient. Speakers: okay some of the glues and moving rubber etc... can break in and change character via fastness. Caps: take a mininal amount of time to heat and set (minutes). Wire burn in: is the biggest joke I have ever heard. Wire burn in is even funnier then wire direction, Like the electrons follow road signs on the outside of the cable. Now for the cart, yeah I can see how the suspension break is a real physical phenomenon but 100 hours give me a break! I think temperature would affect the suspension much more then that period between 30-100 hours. It is a rubber part after all.

I'll give it the benefit of the doubt, and wait a week and do another comparison and post on the boards for the sake of accuracy and full disclosure.

Yeah I know that there is a difference in price. Let us quantify this. $300 1984/1985 dollars carried forward at the average annual rate of inflation (3.5%) for 25 years. 300*(1.035)^25=708.97 today dollars. So yes I realize this, but all the hype for this cart is for nothing, Same goes for the Blue. We shall see if "break in" can change my opinion. I hope you are right and I am wrong but I have my doubts.
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