This replaced an Ortofon MC30 Supreme MC, however I also changed the phono stage from a Michell delphini NC to a heavily modded EAR834P kit so not a direct cart for cart comparison. So the complete set up is Ortofon 2M Black on a full spec Orbe with and SME V, EAR 834P kit, Django (silver rewired) transformer linestage, Papworth M100 mono blocks running into large modded IPL transmission lines. Once warmed up it quickly became clear this was no subtle change, this was two different worlds. Speed, timing, slam, detail, soundstage, imaging and above all, sheer musicality are on the different level all together. A holophonic presentation with stone dead positioning rising out of a inky blank landscape. Instruments appearing in the room apparently detached from the speakers, moments that had me looking over me shoulder for another sound source, and what I like best about MM carts? That fast snap, thud, click, drive when its called for! - and I thought it was my monoblocks that were sluggish! Not so. From Deadmaus to Pink Floyd, to Cal Tjader to Tosca, to MJQ time and time again leaving me open mouthed and astonished at the presentation and wondering - who knew that there’s that much music in a vinyl groove. Over the past five years I have run numerous carts - Goldring 1042X, Reca reason, AT33EV, AT33PTG, AT440MLA and the Ortofon MC30 Supreme. The Ortofon 2M Black blew these so far into the weeds its unreal and if you think I’m putting this on a pedestal it’d be a skyscraper. So my conclusion is, on my system the Ortofon 2M Black is by far the best cart I have heard and for the money its simply a triumph - Very very well done Ortofon - good on ya!

Two points 1. Being really picky here with a slight brittleness on piano. 2. Loss in the ability to go to bed before 4.00am!

Very good cartridge. But changed from Blue, and I think you get more value for the money with Ortofon 2M Blue. The Blue was a BIG step up from the cheapest modells. Black is just a little bit better than Blue.

I bought this cart as a replacement for my Audio Technica 440MLa (a highly regarded cart in budget audiophile circles and a great cart in its own right) that was faintly humming on my Rega P3-24 TT. Speaking of the Rega the Ortofon was more than likely designed for the brand where the carts shape is nearly identical to the headshell of the Rega. This Ortofon is probably the best moving magnet cartridge I've heard so far. Very smooth sounding on anything I've thrown at it. The first thing I played was the Mobile Fidelity pressing of Frank Sinatra and Sextet Live in Paris and it was just beautiful sounding out of the box. It sounds smoother and smoother as it has broken in. The Shibata stylus digs very deep into the groove and the detail retrieval is astonishing. The AT 440 is grainy and glarey sounding in comparison where the Ortofon seems to be glare and etch free. I did have to back off on the cartridge output on my Bellari V-530 phono preamp as it was causing quite a bit of distortion from 1/2 to full output (I have it set at just under 1/2 output). A great record for testing for me is U2's "New Years Day" 45 rpm 12" maxi single. It is a very hot pressing and on the right equipment will seem to leap off the grooves. The Ortofon didn't disappoint in that area and added an extra smoothnes to it. The track just seemed so alive, I could close my eyes and almost hear Bono in the room with me. James Taylor also took on a 3D quality, as did Joni Mitchell, unnoticeable on lesser carts. The 12" 45 rpm pressing of Metallica's "Ride the Lightning" took on an urgency that is missing on the CD that the Ortofon brought out. I really can't find any negatives about the cart except that it pales next to a good moving coil cart but not by much.
At the end of the day this cart is worth every penny put into it and I agree with The Absolute Sound in that this is more than likely the spiritual heir to the venerable (and very much missed) Shure V15 series cart. If you can afford it, get it!