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Ortofon 2M Blue Moving Magnet Cartridge
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Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
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Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Ortofon |
Item Weight | 7.2 Grams |
Style | Modern |
Color | Blue |
Motor Type | DC Motor |
Power Source | Unpowered |
Product Dimensions | 1.1"L x 0.75"W x 0.71"H |
About this item
- Universal fit for most turntables
- Upgrade to the Ortofon 2M Red
- The Ortofon 2M Blue adds more dynamics and resolution, sounds more open and reproduces more details
- The 2M Blue features a Nude Elliptical diamond
- Stylus is replaceable
Frequently bought together
Compare with similar items
This Item Ortofon 2M Blue Moving Magnet Cartridge | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | |
Price | -21% $189.00$189.00 List: $239.00 | $89.99$89.99 | $27.99$27.99 | $499.00$499.00 | $260.00$260.00 | -5% $39.99$39.99 List: $41.99 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 | — | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 24 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sound quality | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.5 |
Accuracy | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.4 |
Value for money | 4.6 | — | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.8 |
Easy to install | 4.6 | 4.5 | — | — | 4.7 | 4.5 |
For beginners | 4.3 | — | — | — | 5.0 | 4.5 |
Sold By | Audio Advice | GRAMOPHONE | Hudson Hi-Fi | GRAMOPHONE | 4OurEars - The Official Grado Store | AVLGEAR |
power source | Unpowered | — | Corded Electric | — | Corded Electric | Corded Electric |
connectivity tech | — | — | Wired | — | Wired | Wired |
material | — | — | Plastic | — | Copper | Plastic |
weight | 7.2 grams | 5 grams | — | 0.02 pounds | — | 0.01 pounds |
motor type | DC Motor | — | DC Motor | DC Motor | DC Motor | — |
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Product information
Item Weight | 0.254 ounces |
---|---|
Product Dimensions | 4.72 x 3.54 x 1.18 inches |
ASIN | B001E0CK3K |
Item model number | 0560011 |
Customer Reviews |
4.8 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #3,421 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #24 in DJ Turntable Cartridges |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | October 10, 2010 |
Color Name | Blue |
Color Screen | No |
Power Source | Unpowered |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
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2M Blue Demo
Ortofon Inc.
Product Description
Technical Specifications
- Output voltage at 1kHz, 5cm/sec - 5.5 mV
- Frequency Response - 20-20,000 Hz +2/-1 dB
- Compliance, dynamic, lateral - 20 µm/mN
- Tracking Force, Recommended - 1.8 g (18 mN)
- Cartridge weight without screws - 7.2g
Ortofon 2M Blue
Moving Magnet Cartridge
The 2M Blue features an improved engine, which provides an increased output of 5.5 mV and an optimized sound reproduction and a high level of sonic accuracy.
The stylus features a Nude Elliptical diamond and split pole pins with a copper wire. The cartridge body is manufactured from Hopelex which ensures high rigidity while eliminating unwanted resonances.
The 2M Blue adds more dynamics and resolution, more openness and reproduces more details compared to the 2M Red.
Included with 2M Blue:
- Stylus Brush
- Screwdriver
- Screw M2.5 x 5
- Screw M2.5 x 7
2M Red | 2M Blue | 2M Bronze | 2M Black | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Customer Reviews |
4.7 out of 5 stars
2,440
|
4.8 out of 5 stars
827
|
4.6 out of 5 stars
185
|
4.6 out of 5 stars
139
|
Stylus/Diamond | Elliptical | Nude Elliptical | Nude Fine Line | Nude Shibata |
Output | 5.5 mV | 5.5 mV | 5 mV | 5 mV |
Frequency Range | 20-22,000 Hz | 20-25,000 Hz | 20-29,000 Hz | 20-31,000 Hz |
Tracking Force | 1.8g (18 mN) | 1.8g (18 mN) | 1.5g (15 mN) | 1.5g (15 mN) |
Replacement Stylus | Ortofon Stylus 2M Red | Ortofon Stylus 2M Blue | Ortofon Stylus 2M Bronze | Ortofon Stylus 2M Black |
Interchangeable With | Ortofon Stylus 2M Blue | Ortofon Stylus 2M Red | Ortofon Stylus 2M Black | Ortofon Stylus 2M Bronze |
Summary | All-purpose cartridge that delivers open, dynamic sound | Adds more dynamics and resolution, sounds more open | Even more resolution and details in an evenhanded way | The best of the range, true to the groove |
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History of the 2M SeriesThe 2M Series was developed in conjunction with the Danish designer Moeller Jensen Design. Inspired by the facets of a diamond, whose contours gracefully trace the grooves on a record’s surface, the 2M’s handsome elegance establishes a great combination of form and functionality. Of course, the 2M isn’t just another pretty face. It has been engineered to the highest standards and is congruent with Ortofon’s unrelenting commitment to providing the most precise and accurate reproduction possible without coloration. The name “2M” was chosen as it represents the abbreviation for moving magnet, MM. The four-model 2M line was originally introduced in 2008, and since then the range has been extended to include True-mono models 2M MONO and 78. Also available are models with expanded mounting options, such as Verso for bottom mount headshells and PnP for direct mounting on arms with universal mount. |
Advancements in SoundThe differences among the 2M variants concern three primary areas: engine, body material and stylus profile. The entire 2M Series features Ortofon’s split pole pins, an invention which enables moving magnet cartridges to have a flat frequency response as with a moving coil cartridge. Split pole pins were invented by Ortofon and were originally presented in the 500 and Ortofon OM Super Series. The 2M 78, 2M Mono, 2M Red and 2M Blue use an improved engine, which provides an optimized sound reproduction and a high level of sonic accuracy. The 2M Bronze and 2M Black use a special upgraded engine, featuring split pole pins with a silver-plated copper wire. The cartridge body material used for the 2M Bronze and 2M Black is manufactured from Lexan DMX Piano Black, a revolutionary material which ensures high rigidity while eliminating unwanted resonances. |
Product Of DenmarkToday Ortofon is a micro-mechanical powerhouse, which develops, manufactures and markets the world acclaimed Ortofon cartridges and components for the hearing aids industry. We benefit from being established in Denmark, a country recognized for its strong tradition in acoustics and its wealth of other high-end manufacturers, who make hearing aids and acoustic measurement equipment, in addition to all aspects of high-end audio. Ortofon is owned by Danish businessmen and employs a staff of 100 people. The Ortofon manufacturing unit in Nakskov in the south of Denmark has modern machinery combined with experienced operators, so human craftsmanship is delivered with uniform industrial quality. |
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Care of StylusWith proper care we find that up to 1,000 hours is possible without degradation of performance. The stylus does begin to exhibit changes after 1,000 hours, but the stylus life as a whole is expected to top 2,000 hours. Proper care is comprised of the following: • Cleaning of record by means of fibre brush before and after every use. Cleaning of record by using record cleaning machine once in a while. • Cleaning of stylus by means of a fine antistatic brush. Please remember to remove dust from the diamond tip before and after playback of each record. Use the brush in the forward direction from the rear of the cartridge towards the stylus tip, never from stylus tip to the rear of the cartridge and never from side to side. • Proper adjustment of alignment, antiskating, azimuth and tracking force. • Ortofon do not recommend the use of solvents of any kind for cleaning of either record surface or stylus. |
Ease of UseThe weight and dimensions of the 2M Series have been optimized to fit the most common turntables on the market today. The cartridge body has also been streamlined to provide easy mounting and alignment. The 2M series features threaded holes that allows for easy mounting on tonearm and headshells without nuts. 2M cartridges provide excellent compatibility in an assortment of playback systems and with a wide variety of phono preamps |
In the beginning was the sound trackOn the 9th of October 1918, the two Danish engineers, Axel Petersen (1887-1971) and Arnold Poulsen (1889-1952) founded the Electrical Phono Film Company with a few capable and foresighted businessmen who would support the organization financially. Their aim was to explore the possibility of high-class recording and developing one of the first synchronized sound film systems in the world. Under primitive conditions, the two Danish engineers and their small staff had to solve a number of what were considered insuperable problems. |
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the sound quality, value, clarity and clarity of the turntable. They mention that the sound is wonderful and rich, with less mid bass boominess coloration. They are also satisfied with crispness, detail, and performance. That said, opinions are mixed on ease of installation.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the sound quality of the turntable. They say that the sound is wonderful and rich, with more spaciousness between notes and instruments they've never heard before. The dual band DBX EQ makes the upper vocal range much more crisp and bright, and the sound has a smoother quality.
"...Indeed the output was considerably louder but what truly astonished me is the space between the instruments and voices and all the detail which I had..." Read more
"...Walter's guitar cuts sharper, piano is more sublime, everything just sounds better and makes you want to listen to more, the ultimate compliment a..." Read more
"Really good sound hard to find a nude diamond for this price very quiet no feedback...." Read more
"...The sound stage, tracking, and overall resolution are a noticeable improvement, and you definitely get a "the musicians are in the room with you"..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the turntable. They mention that it's the best cartridge they've ever owned, and it' s outstanding. Some say that it is better mastered than any CD version, and that it sounds better on old and new albums.
"...I swear this is truly better mastered than any CD version, but I just never had the cartridge to notice it...." Read more
"...It’s remarkable for an entry level cartridge. I’m loving it!" Read more
"...to reiterate that, for the money, the Blue is definitely an excellent cartridge. But I am itching to step up to the Bronze...." Read more
"Simple and great upgrade if you are currently using the Red cart, simply swap stylus and done...." Read more
Customers find the value of the turntable to be excellent. They mention that it has a smooth, velvety sound, and the system sounds much more expensive.
"...overpriced turntable, the difference this thing makes is worth every penny...." Read more
"...upgrade for an entry-level turntable, and also as a relatively budget-friendly option that will really sing on nicer tables." Read more
"...And I believe it is an excellent value for the money. It's engaging and lively sounding...." Read more
"...Replaces outstanding songs, Aliti. A little spending but worth the investment." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the clarity of the turntable. They mention that it has great clarity and range, with an impressive sound stage. Some say that the Message was clear and balanced, but missing the ABSOLUTE bottom end.
"..."The Message" was clear and balanced, but missing the ABSOLUTE bottom end bass notes which I assume will come more as the stylus breaks in...." Read more
"...as described, set VTF slightly lighter than recommended and it’s crystal clear." Read more
"...It is like hearing my vinyl in a whole new way. Much better clarity and depth. The separation is incredible...." Read more
"...When I got the 2m Red I noticed a big jump in clarity, definition and soundstage...." Read more
Customers like the crispness of the turntable. For example, they mention it has a clearer, rich deep base, beautiful highs, and the drums of Neil Peart stand out beautifully. Some say the sound is ballsy, full, and well worth the money.
"...the AT-95e it is just a singing, beautifully balanced, beautiful monster tracking machine...." Read more
"...dry delivery is that much dryer, Walter's guitar cuts sharper, piano is more sublime, everything just sounds better and makes you want to listen to..." Read more
"...The difference is day and night. The sound is very much more clear and crisp. The bass is much improved as well...." Read more
"Besides looking really cool on my Technics SL-23 turntable, it sounds awesome and should sound better given more playing time...." Read more
Customers are impressed with the amount of detail, bass, and warmth that the turntable brings out. They say that it sounds natural and shows every detail of a record. The cartridge is very fine and is able to reproduce the detail in the grooves, which makes the soundstage, clarity, and detail superb for this price.
"...While it did a lot of things right for a budget cartridge (surprising amount of detail and sound stage width for it's cost)..." Read more
"...Only tracks at 1.8 grams. The level of details is outstanding...." Read more
"...The detail is very nice. Channel separation is very good. Voice still seems a bit overdone, almost harsh...." Read more
"...of the White Album during the break in period and was stunned by the amount of detail that I have never heard before...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the performance of the turntable. For example, they say it works fantastic, and continues to play beautifully after a year of frequent use. Some mention that the end result is amazing.
"...But it’s holding up and continuing to play beautifully after a year of frequent use." Read more
"...due to its slightly longer length then my previous Shure, the end result is amazing...." Read more
"Works fantastic, got to replace my 2m red when it shorted out...." Read more
"...The Ortofon works flawlessly and sounds better than the MC...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the ease of installation. Some mention it's very easy to install, while others say that it was a bit tricky to get aligned perfectly.
"Packed well, easy to install.I use and found it helpful during installation on Music Hall mmf-2.2 the following tools :"..." Read more
"...If I have one complaint is that it is difficult to install. I recommend paying a professional to do the install...." Read more
"Also bought the matching blue headshell. Very easy to install (on an Audio Technica LP120X)...." Read more
"...Comes with mounting hardware, instruction, stylus brush, and stylus cover." Read more
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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So when it came a day after the headshell I got it all hooked up and the cartridge aligned. I decided to use the repressing of Def Leppard's Hysteria as a test record since it has very very sharp treble and I previously noticed some inner groove distortion. So I first played side one with the AT 95e that came with the turntable at a very high volume so as to really hear the nuances. Then I put the 2M Blue on and reset the tonearm and tracking force. I dropped the needle and immeadiately the difference was madly noticeable. I don't know how much of an improvement over the 2M red this thing gives, but compared to the AT-95e it is just a singing, beautifully balanced, beautiful monster tracking machine. Indeed the output was considerably louder but what truly astonished me is the space between the instruments and voices and all the detail which I hadn't even picked out on CD versions of the album.
My next test record was my Music On Vinyl pressing of Jar Of Flies by Alice In Chains. I dropped the needle on "No Excuses" and immeadiately the drums sounded so full and the bass so resonant and the guitars so spacious. I swear this is truly better mastered than any CD version, but I just never had the cartridge to notice it. What truly blew me away was the space in the vocals. Before the harmonies were still audible but not very seperable. It sounded a bit like a guitar chord. But as soon as the vocals came in I could easily differentiate the voices and pick each interval apart.
Then came the obligatory test that most people use. Dark Side Of The Moon. I was beginning to think Vinyl never really did the album justice just because the soundscape is so huge and so dense in the CD. Well the 2M blue has changed my opinion. I'll leave it at that.
If you have a 2M red, I can't tell you weather to upgrade or not. But I can tell you if you have a cheap or moderate cartridge that came with a decent but not severely overpriced turntable, the difference this thing makes is worth every penny. (And to think after 40 or so hours of playback, supposedly this thing is going to be broken in and sound even better!!)
Well, time goes by, and your ears adjust to your setup, you hear more of what you're getting and what you're missing, particularly when you go over to a friend's house who has a much more expensive cartridge, and you eventually get the itch. One of my three tables regularly had nasty inner groove distortion, and it was the nicest, newest table of the three, so something was up. I got an Ortofon protractor and got it better aligned than its neighbor who still outperformed. Enough of this happens, my birthday comes up, and I finally bite and order the Blue.
Simultaneous to this, I replace the headshell with another identical Technics (I could never get the problematic Red secure in the old shell so it moved around easily, which in hindsight likely caused some of the issue - found out the screws used were too long and bottomed out before I could fully secure the cartridge).
The afternoon testing begins with some Bach. The needle drops and finds the groove notably faster than the Red, and surface noise is nil. I find the overall response more lush, but lacking a little in the top end and the very bottom. I let the whole side play, enjoying the nuance of the piano strings - you can hear them vibrating more and even the mallets hitting them in some cases.
I then shake it up and play some Doobie Brothers, an old tired copy of Stampede, starting with "I Cheat the Hangman". I've heard this song a number of times before, but the muted electric guitar and vocals are more haunting, open, and the stage is wider. Everything is breathing more and has more presence. Then I grab "One Step Closer" and play the title track. The opening drums have so much energy you'd think they were playing in the room.
Then I have a cousin over to celebrate and we go off the reservation for a few hours spinning a few complete albums, starting with Styx - Pieces of Eight. With "The Great White Hope", anticipation builds as you hear layers you didn't know where there. "I'm OK" blasts through with the opening drums, again with urgency and sustain never heard before. You hear the drum hit, the transients, and the reverb, and it demands attention and respect. "Sing for the day" brings Tommy to the front, cutting clearly and making the connection. "The Message" was clear and balanced, but missing the ABSOLUTE bottom end bass notes which I assume will come more as the stylus breaks in. "Blue Collar Man" has the intro vocals clearer than ever with an ethereal staging to them, you can't really tell where it's positioned. The bass drum comes through like a muted heart beat, to great effect.
This overall enjoyment continues as we proceed to Tommy Shaw's "The Great Divide", a solo Bluegrass effort with him on mandolin. No frills, just smooth, honest, like you remember with old RCA country records.
Next up is Rush's "Signals". "Subdivisions" presents like never before. Neil Peart's drums stand out beautifully. The mix (and Geddy and Alex) know how to co-exist and not step on others' toes and let their talent all shine through. Neil's performance, in particular stands out, however; the talent is on full display and can't be missed or denied. "Chemistry" in particular stands out with its thick bass guitar and tight rhythm.
With each album, I find myself anxious with the end of each side, where things would get semi-atrocious on the old setup due to inner groove distortion (again, I have two other Red's on the same table model and setup, and they don't suffer from this, so don't take this as a dig on the Red). Here I find no loss other than what comes from less surface area due to CAV (Constant Angular Velocity) nature of records. I feel more relieved with each passing side.
The evening ended with a single track off Steely Dan's "Aja", because why not - "I Got the News". Again, the notable improvement was the drums. Donald Fagen's dry delivery is that much dryer, Walter's guitar cuts sharper, piano is more sublime, everything just sounds better and makes you want to listen to more, the ultimate compliment a music aficionado can give.
Both of us were able to successfully disappear into the music landscape for the evening; lava lamp on, room lights off, accent lights for the tables lit, beer growler disappearing, super pleased in my decision and results. Transition from red to blue could be something as simple as just changing out the stylus as the cartridge is otherwise identical inside. Output impedance is the same, recommended tracking force is the same, output level seems identical, frequency response is wider on the high end with the Blue. I wanted to change everything in case somehow the Red cartridge itself was misaligned or defective, so now I have a complete spare setup (now tightened with the right screws) I can throw on in a pinch in 30 seconds.
Surprisingly, it seems like the Blue cuts deeper in the vinyl and gets past some surface imperfections, giving you quieter passages between tracks, and a cleaner overall experience. Makes one wonder if it really could be this much better someday going from Blue to Bronze.
I recommend this cart for any number of applications, rock, jazz, classical, I think they all benefit from its design.
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2019
Well, time goes by, and your ears adjust to your setup, you hear more of what you're getting and what you're missing, particularly when you go over to a friend's house who has a much more expensive cartridge, and you eventually get the itch. One of my three tables regularly had nasty inner groove distortion, and it was the nicest, newest table of the three, so something was up. I got an Ortofon protractor and got it better aligned than its neighbor who still outperformed. Enough of this happens, my birthday comes up, and I finally bite and order the Blue.
Simultaneous to this, I replace the headshell with another identical Technics (I could never get the problematic Red secure in the old shell so it moved around easily, which in hindsight likely caused some of the issue - found out the screws used were too long and bottomed out before I could fully secure the cartridge).
The afternoon testing begins with some Bach. The needle drops and finds the groove notably faster than the Red, and surface noise is nil. I find the overall response more lush, but lacking a little in the top end and the very bottom. I let the whole side play, enjoying the nuance of the piano strings - you can hear them vibrating more and even the mallets hitting them in some cases.
I then shake it up and play some Doobie Brothers, an old tired copy of Stampede, starting with "I Cheat the Hangman". I've heard this song a number of times before, but the muted electric guitar and vocals are more haunting, open, and the stage is wider. Everything is breathing more and has more presence. Then I grab "One Step Closer" and play the title track. The opening drums have so much energy you'd think they were playing in the room.
Then I have a cousin over to celebrate and we go off the reservation for a few hours spinning a few complete albums, starting with Styx - Pieces of Eight. With "The Great White Hope", anticipation builds as you hear layers you didn't know where there. "I'm OK" blasts through with the opening drums, again with urgency and sustain never heard before. You hear the drum hit, the transients, and the reverb, and it demands attention and respect. "Sing for the day" brings Tommy to the front, cutting clearly and making the connection. "The Message" was clear and balanced, but missing the ABSOLUTE bottom end bass notes which I assume will come more as the stylus breaks in. "Blue Collar Man" has the intro vocals clearer than ever with an ethereal staging to them, you can't really tell where it's positioned. The bass drum comes through like a muted heart beat, to great effect.
This overall enjoyment continues as we proceed to Tommy Shaw's "The Great Divide", a solo Bluegrass effort with him on mandolin. No frills, just smooth, honest, like you remember with old RCA country records.
Next up is Rush's "Signals". "Subdivisions" presents like never before. Neil Peart's drums stand out beautifully. The mix (and Geddy and Alex) know how to co-exist and not step on others' toes and let their talent all shine through. Neil's performance, in particular stands out, however; the talent is on full display and can't be missed or denied. "Chemistry" in particular stands out with its thick bass guitar and tight rhythm.
With each album, I find myself anxious with the end of each side, where things would get semi-atrocious on the old setup due to inner groove distortion (again, I have two other Red's on the same table model and setup, and they don't suffer from this, so don't take this as a dig on the Red). Here I find no loss other than what comes from less surface area due to CAV (Constant Angular Velocity) nature of records. I feel more relieved with each passing side.
The evening ended with a single track off Steely Dan's "Aja", because why not - "I Got the News". Again, the notable improvement was the drums. Donald Fagen's dry delivery is that much dryer, Walter's guitar cuts sharper, piano is more sublime, everything just sounds better and makes you want to listen to more, the ultimate compliment a music aficionado can give.
Both of us were able to successfully disappear into the music landscape for the evening; lava lamp on, room lights off, accent lights for the tables lit, beer growler disappearing, super pleased in my decision and results. Transition from red to blue could be something as simple as just changing out the stylus as the cartridge is otherwise identical inside. Output impedance is the same, recommended tracking force is the same, output level seems identical, frequency response is wider on the high end with the Blue. I wanted to change everything in case somehow the Red cartridge itself was misaligned or defective, so now I have a complete spare setup (now tightened with the right screws) I can throw on in a pinch in 30 seconds.
Surprisingly, it seems like the Blue cuts deeper in the vinyl and gets past some surface imperfections, giving you quieter passages between tracks, and a cleaner overall experience. Makes one wonder if it really could be this much better someday going from Blue to Bronze.
I recommend this cart for any number of applications, rock, jazz, classical, I think they all benefit from its design.
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in Mexico on October 29, 2023
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Reviewed in Italy on January 5, 2023