Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 Cartridge Review

Newcomer Adrian Alexander reviews the Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 Cartridge.
Watch his review of the MC Cadenza Black Cartridge from Ortofon here: • Ortofon MC Cadenza Bla...
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Who is Adrian Alexander?
I began my journey at the tender age of 12. Initially, it was just a small snippet of sound, perhaps a simple melody or a voice recording.
In my teenage years, I experienced the revolution of cassette tapes and the joy of being duplicated and shared among friends. The 1980s brought the era of compact discs, before turn of the millennium marked a significant shift as the digital age fully embraced me and MP3s became the norm, where I became more portable, fitting into pocket-sized devices that could carry thousands of me at once. I was shared across the internet, downloaded, and streamed on various platforms.
In my 40s, the rise of streaming services took center stage, and I found myself being accessed from the cloud, eliminating the need for physical storage. My quality improved, and I became part of playlists, enhancing the daily routines of people around the globe.
As the years rolled on, technology continued to advance. I witnessed the emergence of high-resolution audio, immersive 3D sound, and the integration of artificial intelligence in audio processing. Now, at the age of 63, I reflect on a lifetime of melodies, spoken words, and ambient sounds. From the crackling vinyl records to the seamless streaming of today, I have been a witness to the ever-changing landscape of audio technology.
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, KZbin and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound

[@inko123]

I've heard and experienced every 2M cartridge, and the LVB 250 is my end-game cartridge as far as MM's go. The immediacy of the sound that came from my records was just mind-blowing! My stylus lasted for two years before having to replace it. Right now I'm using the original 2M Black I kept for comparison, and my ears miss the LVB so much.

[@EvanCasteel-th2qs]

Excellent job, Sir! Loved how you described the sound - concise and to the point. Can’t wait to hear and read more from you.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you!

[@angsty2949]

Loved the review! Hope to see more from you!

[@bigblueocean]

Welcome New Reviewer. Like your style, enjoying your content. A pleasant change to old white guys (even though I am one)

[@adrianalexander2651]

😂😂😂😂 that’s hilarious. Thank you for the kind words.

[@dizzle1119]

I recently purchased a Music Hall Stealth direct drive turntable. I then proceeded to adhere a 3mm thick Funk Firm Achromat to the platter permanently & added a Michell Engineering record clamp. I already owned an Ortofon 2M Bronze, so I placed that on the Music Hall Stealth immediately. I then added a linear power supply for the Stealth and purchased a Black Ice Audio Fusion9 MkIII vacuum tube phono preamp. Now I feel like I need to step up to the Quintet Black or the 2M Black LVB 250. It's just so hard to part w/ the $$$ because the performance I'm seeing from what I have is pretty nice. I'm wondering if the cartridge upgrade will be worth the $1,100? I mean, I know there will be an increase in overall SQ...but will it be worth $1,100?

[@tonydeniro284]

You can save a lot of money by just buying the lvb 250 stylus. It will go right onto the bronze with no issues, as the lvb 250 shares the same body as both the bronze and the black. It's right on ortofons web page. So, compatible. You can get the lvb 250 stylus from an overseas dealer, say, in the UK, and shipped to your home. You will save an additional 200 bucks by doing so. Typically you will pay about $670 USD.

[@tonydeniro284]

Also, of course you can just buy the 2m black stylus, as that as well will be compatible with your bronze. I'd also look to buy that from an overseas dealer, Europe or UK. The US prices are way over inflated. I own the music hall mmf7.3 with the 2m bronze. I'm going to upgrade the stylus to the 250 lvb black.

[@Lee-yt1de]

Subscribed, love your honesty and straight to the point

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you!

[@ericneff1202]

Nice job on this review! I will look forward to your future efforts!

[@agx502]

I know this is a short review but I didn’t get a handle on how this cartridge compares to lesser MM designs, or compared to other top of the line MM designs.

[@Shane4G00D]

Welcome Adrian, Great 1st review.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you!

[@Drivehead103]

Went from 2m black to lvb 250 and was shocked at the difference. Almost like I got a new high-powered amp! I listen to jazz and Rock and what it did with my rock music was incredible. I had been listening mostly to jazz music and high quality vinyl such as tone poet and acoustic sounds / analog productions. The 2m black lbv 250 has me cranking up my rock and roll again. I know the cartridge is probably geared more towards orchestra Beethoven style music but don't think for a minute that it will not rock!!! IT ABSOLUTELY ROCKS!

[@3dimensionsofmusic3D]

Did you audition the LVB on your VPI? I have the same with a 2M blk now. It's due to be replaced and I'm contemplating retipping it or (upgrading?) to this model. Any thoughts 💭. Thanks. Greg

[@adrianalexander2651]

Hi Greg - that’s a good question. If I had I listened to the moving magnet first - I would’ve stayed with that cartridge. The LVB blew me away. I did not sit it up on my VPI. I’m gonna do that sometime next week when I have five minutes to myself.😂 if you’d like to chat about it, let me know and I’ll give you my phone number

[@FirstLast-gs8tt]

Any idea on how this cartridge would pair with the Graham Phantom II tone arm??

[@billd9667]

It needs to be said that there is another type of cartridge - moving iron (or micro cross). The iron cross has much lower mass than a typical MM and allows for quicker changes in direction for the cantilever.

[@NackDSP]

I could dub in a different cartridge name and this review would work for every cartridge they ever look at.

[@DanielHog13]

Nice, practical review with (thank you) little hyperbole. 👍

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you

[@ariefpoerniawan]

I just got my black LVB, and setting the right way… 3 days ago… and it just blow away my ear… i had just heard something that i was never heard before…

[@garyausten5939]

If I had an extra $K to spend, would it be more sonically beneficial to upgrade my phone preamp or my cart? I have a Rega P2, Rega Fono MM Mk5 and an AT-VM540ML.

[@jedi-mic]

hi have a look at the Michael Fidler, phono stages. if i was you get the mc pro phono, and a GoldRing Eroica Lx or HX cartridge about 1000$ for both. you'll be in heaven. or the AT-33sa MC best audio Technica for under a thousand about 500£. I'm not really a fan of that At 540 I think it sounds brittle and harsh sounding and not great bass, how do you find it? If you want to keep with the moving magnet then get the (MM Pro, and the gold ring E4 or goldring 2300 what is a Nagaoka mp300 I think. Get that set up for about 700$)

[@garyausten5939]

@@jedi-mic I got about the same amount of money (a little more) on the MM side as your suggestion between the preamp an cart. I'm not ready at this point to go MC - this is the first decent table I've had in a while...my Technics SL-5 died. None of he buttons would work anymore and the shop I bought the Rega at said parts would be hard to find and expensive, plus labor charges. It was just cost effective to buy the new table. It's the first manual one I've owned and, to be honest, it stretched my budget to the max with the upgraded cart (comes with the Carbon from the factory). I might try a tube preamp when I upgrade to get a different sound, but there are so many good MM carts and my hearing isn't stellar...I'm not sure if I'd be able to tell the difference. Maybe I'll just enjoy what I have for a while and put any spare money towards a trip to Italy.

[@alfaxspeedone]

Thought this was well an interesting review. Clear and concise yes , but left me hanging for more . I actually thought after the last segment and it went to a new video that I accidentally touched the screen and forwarded it. If your goal is a short video, then this hit the mark, may I suggest an option for an additional five or six minutes for those who want more where you get into some additional details on both specifics of the songs, you listen to and what additional sound or music this cartridge pulled out of the vinyl versus other moving magnets. Or perhaps how it resembled a moving coil which you prefer as they have a tendency to pull more detail. Again, nice work for your first effort and I look forward to more reviews. For what it’s worth I had the order, fun blue, and then the orange MM and then jumped to black moving coil.

[@alfaxspeedone]

ORTOFON not order fun 😮 have to love voice to text and my inability to review in advance

[@Drivehead103]

Cartridge.... that's where it all begins.That AT cart is no slouch,a lot of bang for the dollar. A superb tracker that eliminates most inner Grove distortion and sounds great. Maybe a little bright but I use tone controls and EQ to cure that. Lvb 250 does all that but it is clear, warm, detailed, has a huge soundstage and fantastic Bass. I might try some of the soundsmith zephyr series later. They have the advantage of getting them retipped add a much lower cost than ortofon cart replacement.

[@jeffreypicciolo7706]

Nice start!

[@carminedesanto6746]

Hi Adrian . The cartridge is the signature of the entire turntable system. And we’re always looking for that audiophile unicorn 🦄. Great video…tho it’s 1/2 a review 😆 Personally me, I’m a Koetsu fanboy. Take care.

[@saint6563]

Stylus is the 1st in the analog chain. As you pointed out be complimenting the LVB. Enjoyed the vid even as Digital Dude™.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you! BTW I’ll be doing a video about a Dac in the next month

[@Brighamdoc]

Thanks for the great review - mine is on the way. I'll let you know!

[@adrianalexander2651]

Thank you!

[@jefflashway6644]

1100 for MM? No way.

[@jaysullivan9545]

Good job! 👍

[@NackDSP]

Dumb. Talk Talk Talk. Hey, how about a measurement. The classic "heard something new" So if I bump up the response at 2 kHz, everyone will hear something new. So friggen what? I can read the advertisement and spec sheet. Try adding some actual value and play a test record and show us the frequency response and distortion you measured. How was the inner groove distortion? What was the output level and what loading C and R actually worked best for a flat response. That would be some value. Otherwise it's just non-sense waste of time youTube influencer garbage. Oh, I liked this album. Great. Good for you. The internet is full of this style garbage, read the ad copy pretending to be a review. Stop wasting everyone's time.

[@alisonleighton9739]

Ion, not iron

[@adrianalexander2651]

My apologies, Ion

[@adrianalexander2651]

In my opinion, I’d upgrade the cartridge

[@teamsix7185]

Just some info for the viewers. If you are considering the 2M Black... do your research. Ortofon has a compatiblity list of turntable/cartridge in a drop down menu tool. The FLUANCE series ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE 2M Black. Fluance is not compatible with the 2M BRONZE either. Many have installed the 2M black and report great results. However without the VTA adjustments.... there is either distortion, record premature wear or stylus premature wear. The tonearms of the Fluance, Audio Technica and even Uturn... DO NOT SUPPORT THE 2M Black. REGA turntables however DO support the 2M Bronze and 2M Black. I wish this was more out known.... as I bought from KZbinrs claiming the 2M black would work with these turntables.... when in fact that is not the case. I have a Fluance that I may return for this very reason. As well an Audio Technica. Ortofon will confirm... as will Fluance. You will notice Fluance has removed the 2M black from all mention on their websites now. I wish there was not so much misinformation out there on this.

[@Blewis-Diarrheo]

It's not that they aren't compatible - it's that those tables don't have VTA adjustment, so it will be more difficult to get them dialed in optimally. You can influence the VTA by varying the height of the platter mat, shimming the cartridge, adjusting the tracking force, trying a headshell with different dimensions, or a combination of those. It's a lot more work, but it's possible.

[@paulreed1142]

Welcome, diversity hire! Could you possibly use some classical music to evaluate this cartridge? After all, it was named after Beethoven.

[@adrianalexander2651]

Fair enough- I don’t know much about classical music. I like it when I’ve listened to it is there anything you can recommend?

[@hunkydorian]

@@adrianalexander2651 A good introduction to classical music is Scheherazade (the story of 1000 nights). It's very beginner friendly, and every orchestra in the world recorded it, so you can compare performances, which is kind of educational.

[@adrianalexander2651]

@@hunkydorian Hey- thank you, I appreciate the recommendation. I’ll give it a listen.

[@VinylPro]

Ortofon has its own character, unlike the Japanese - that's why so many fans prefer Ortofon...!