Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 Premounted

2M BLACK LVB 250 Cartridge Premounted on SH-4

The 2M Black LVB 250 Premounted is a high-end MM (moving magnet) cartridge manufactured by Ortofon. It was designed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of the famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven in December 2020.

This cartridge is an enhanced version of the highly acclaimed 2M Black, considered by many to be the best MM cartridge. It retains the strengths of the 2M Black while introducing notable improvements in the cantilever and suspension.

Optimized Design for Universal Compatibility

The 2M Black LVB 250 Premounted stands out with its elegant design, featuring a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer body and a glossy black finish. Beethoven’s portrait, engraved on the side of the cartridge, pays homage to the famous composer.

Mounted on an Ortofon SH-4 headshell, the cartridge is ready to be installed on any S-shaped tonearm with a standard SME mount. This “Premounted” configuration greatly simplifies the installation and replacement of the cartridge for users.

The 2M series has been designed to easily fit most modern turntables, thanks to its optimized weight and dimensions. Ortofon also offers other variants of the 2M, such as the Verso version for bottom-mount headshells, or the 2MR, specially designed for turntables and tonearms requiring low-profile cartridges, like those from the Rega brand.

A Nude Shibata Diamond on a Boron Cantilever

The 2M Black LVB 250 distinguishes itself from the classic 2M Black by using a nude Shibata diamond, mounted on a boron cantilever. This extremely rigid and lightweight material provides remarkable transparency, speed, and responsiveness.

The Shibata diamond profile, very fine and polished with extreme precision, allows for a very extensive contact surface with the groove walls. This ensures highly detailed reproduction across the entire spectrum, including the highest frequencies.

A New Compound for the Suspension

To achieve optimal interaction between compliance and damping, Ortofon has developed a new rubber compound for the suspension system. This new formula is based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) that act as a highly effective nano-filler.

This MWCNT compound offers superior mechanical properties that enhance damping and the overall performance of the cartridge. It is an exclusive technology to Ortofon.

Sound with Striking Precision and Realism

Thanks to its technical refinements, the 2M Black LVB 250 offers sound with unmatched precision and resolution for a moving magnet cartridge. The smallest details are reproduced with stunning clarity, giving the impression that the artist is present in the room.

The dynamics are breathtaking, with sharp and incisive attacks. The timbres are strikingly realistic, especially on vocals and acoustic instruments. The spatialization is very wide and precise, with a beautiful sense of depth.

The overall balance is highly neutral, with no coloration or emphasis on any part of the spectrum. The highs are very fine and perfectly readable, without any harshness. The bass is deep, tight, and perfectly defined.

Key Benefits

• Sound with striking precision and realism
• A nude Shibata diamond mounted on a boron cantilever
• Suspension using a new carbon nanotube-based compound
• Optimal compatibility with most turntables and tonearms on the market
• Available in standard version or pre-mounted on SH-4 headshell
• Manufactured by Ortofon, one of the world’s leading phono cartridge makers
• Limited edition celebrating the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth

Technical Specifications

General Specifications

• Type: MM (moving magnet)
• Diamond: nude Shibata line contact
• Cantilever: boron
• Tracking angle: 20°

Audio Performance

• Output voltage at 1,000 Hz, 5 cm/s: 5 mV
• Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz (+2 / -1 dB)
• Channel balance at 1 kHz: < 1 dB
• Channel separation:
  • At 1 kHz: > 27 dB
  • At 15 kHz: 15 dB

Mechanical Characteristics

• Tracking ability (315 Hz at recommended tracking force): 80 μm
• Dynamic lateral compliance: 22 μm/mN
• Diamond tip radius: r/R 6/50 μm
• Tracking force:
  • Range: 15-17 mN
  • Recommended: 16 mN

Electrical Characteristics

• Internal impedance: 1.2 Ω
• Internal inductance: 630 mH
• Recommended load resistance: 47 kΩ
• Recommended load capacitance: 150-300 pF

Weight

• 2MR cartridge: 6 g
• Verso 2M and 2M cartridges: 7.2 g
• Pre-mounted 2M cartridge: 16.7 g

Included and Compatible Accessories

• Replacement stylus: 2M Black LVB 250
• Interchangeable stylus options: 2M Black, 2M Bronze
• Supplied pre-mounted on an SH-4 headshell