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Ortofon 2M Black Ordered... |
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bakastra ![]() Regular ![]() ![]() Joined: 15 Dec 2014 Location: North America Status: Offline Points: 40 |
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Andrew
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Drewan77 ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 25 May 2013 Location: Chester,England Status: Offline Points: 1544 |
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I agree with with Tonys' comments
The digital scales you linked to are almost identical to what I use, much more accurate than a manual balance in my opinion. It's good that it includes the calibrated weight as you can check for accuracy each time before use. The small balance scale that came with my 2M Black turned out to be pretty inaccurate when I checked against the digital version For alignment, I started off many years ago using a simple 2 point printed or plastic alignment protractor, progressed to a printed arc protractor (the vinyl engine website has many useful versions to accommodate most arms and alignments) and this year jumped to the Mint protractor which is the most accurate (and 'sounds' the best but requires a lot of time). A strong magnifying glass/loupe (..say x20 or x30) and good lighting will help get the best results whatever you decide |
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Older than I once was, younger than I'll be
............................. Andrew |
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tg [RIP] ![]() Moderator Group ![]() ![]() Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Location: Sydney Status: Offline Points: 1866 |
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You could start with that protractor, however the one I would recommend is somewhat dearer, you can read about it and its use in this thread. Digital scales you can find both cheaper and dearer, many look similar and likely come from the same chinese factory - on ebay price is not necessarily an indication of relative quality - your first link carried a link to one for $11US - here - you pay your money and take your chances. BTW - since you are having the initial setup done for you, do not change anything until both your phono stage and the cartridge have had time to settle in properly, this may be 50 - 100 hrs of play for the cartridge and up to 600 hours of power on time for a GSP phono stage. Edited by tg - 19 Dec 2014 at 11:25am |
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Tony G
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Graham Slee ![]() Admin Group ![]() ![]() Retired Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Location: South Yorkshire Status: Offline Points: 15474 |
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Revisiting this topic and raising it from the dead, I think I've now completed my assessment of the Ortofon Black.
I have been getting reaccustomed to the Jazz Club phono stage - the switchable EQ version of the Era Gold V. Up till that my favourite was the AT150ANV, but on listening via the Solo ULDE (and Jazz Club) I found it a tad too showy - emphasizing the highs and mids in a form of artificial way. But what was my reference for this opinion? We all know how unreliable musical memory is, but I thought I would use it anyway! The test tracks were studio tracks of live versions I heard long ago - long, long ago. The musical memory may be a bit distant but life has a good way of embedding emotions in us at particular times and days - and we can link back to musical experiences using them! If those emotions are reignited then there's a good chance that at least some bits may be being reproduced in the way they were heard live. Well that's my opinion and anybody who disagrees will be ignored ![]() I'd tagged along to a couple of concerts in particular around 42 years ago. The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Impossible Dream tour being the first - I'd only heard them on records. Although the songs and atmosphere were great, the really touching one was Anthem - complete with Scottish Guards (type) drummer and piper. Learning of Alex's fate one will understand the lyrics "Although it's true I'm worried now, I won't be worried long". The other concert was from the Uriah Heap Demons and Wizards tour. Now they're a heavy rock band, but incredibly musical... well, sometimes not, but here they excelled themselves. I had been so taken by these particular live performances that I bought the records. I still have them in my collection, and they're not in bad nick. I found the Ortofon Black recaptured the emotions even though these are studio versions of the real thing, and it did so far better than the AT150ANV - which I'd previously prefered. This could be due to my listening using headphones - the Solo ULDE - the Sennheiser HD250II's - or a combination. It could also be that this listening session was personal and more immersed than it would have been on speakers - and more revealing being "in the music". Perhaps it shows my speaker set-up is missing something? I found the Black was being more honest about the music, it wasn't embellishing any of its elements - it was delivering what to my ears is the correct tonal balance of everything - the correct instrumental or vocal inflection that makes music so involving - something the industry is preventing a younger audience experiencing - so the poor buggers will never know! Shame. You had to be there to witness how the Uriah Heap music was being made, especially Hensley's use of the keyboards - using his left foot to sway the Hammond (I think that's what it was) back and forth - this coming across in the Ortofon Black's rendition. The upright piano is made to sound almost grand. The dark keyboard harmonics of the introduction to Rainbow Demon, rasps musically rather than grating the eardrums. As the Looney Tunes cartoons sign off: that's all folks! |
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That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps
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BAK ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 14 Mar 2010 Location: Kentucky, USA Status: Offline Points: 1703 |
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You got to see Uriah Heap! Lucky...!
I keep my copy right next to ELP and Pink Floyd. |
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Bruce
AT-14SA, Pickering XV-15, Hana EL, Technics SL-1600MK2, Lautus, Majestic DAC, Technics SH-8055 spectrum analyzer, Eminence Beta8A custom cabs; Proprius & Reflex M or C, Enjoy Life your way! |
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suede ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 25 May 2011 Location: Sweden Status: Offline Points: 1186 |
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Ortofon 2M Black and Demons and Wizards, now that is a most splendid combination!
Nice to hear your verdict on the Black, I'd personally swear by it even though I'm not particularly well versed in the world of cartridges. I just know it makes the music come alive in an almost uncanny manner, far from any other reference I have. |
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Proprius, Reflex M, Solo UL, Bitzie, CuSats & Spatia
--------------------------------- Johan |
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CageyH ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 30 Apr 2012 Location: Toulouse, Franc Status: Offline Points: 1593 |
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The thing I find most frustrating about the 2M Black is the poorly designed stylus cover.
Look at it funny, and the tab comes off. Apparently it's down to the filler in the material, so as mine broke recently, Imordered a clear one from the 2M mono, as it's supposed to be more flexible. |
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Kevin
European loan coordinator, based near Toulouse, France. |
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