Ortofon 2M Red Phono Cartridge Paired w/Technics OEM Headshell - NEW

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General:
The Ortofon 2M Red is a high-performance and high-value Moving-Magnet (MM) cartridge. It's a great sounding cartridge and it's no wonder why Technics includes it with every single SL-1500C they sell.

This new and unused Ortofon cartridge is paired and aligned with a brand new OEM Technics Headshell, making it even easier to get started. It's ready to plug and play with the proper overhang already set for any Technics SL series 'table. 

Cartridge and headshell are new, and will be carefully packed and shipped in a wood phono cartridge box capable of housing both cartridge and headshell mounted and ready to go.

The headshells are acquired  directly from Technics.  There are lots of models available, some with logos, some without, some with gold plated contacts, some looks like gold but are brass while others are un-coated.  

We went through the painstaking task of ordering every model they sell and identifying the best one.  Perfect for your beloved SL1200G, SL1300G, SL1200GR(2), SL1500C or any of the vintage SL1200s. 

Super high-quality despite its simple looks, we've found it difficult to find a better headshell without spending over $500.  

Featuring an adjustable azimuth, meaning you can fine-tune the vertical alignment of your phono cartridge's stylus relative to the record's surface. Azimuth adjustment ensures that the stylus sits perfectly perpendicular to the grooves, optimizing sound quality.

When the azimuth is properly set, both the left and right channels of your stereo signal are balanced, reducing distortion and improving stereo separation. If it's off, you may notice imbalances in the audio that present themselves as a "muddier" sound.

More from Ortofon:
2M Red
With the 2M Red you will hear the music come to life on its own terms. It is like taking a step into the music itself. The 2M Red delivers an open, dynamic sound with a slight touch of warmth.

This is our entry-level cartridge in the series, but what an entry.

Accuracy level
Remember when you fell in love with music? The 2M Red will rekindle that flame and make music matter again. From the moment the diamond tipped needle hits the groove you feel it. With the 2M Red, you will hear the music come to life on its own terms. It is like taking a step into the music itself. This is our entry-level cartridge in the series, but what an entry. 

Compatibility
The 2M Series is designed for easy cartridge mounting, weight, and size to fit the most common turntables today. The 2M Series are available in four different product variant configurations: the 2M for most common turntables on the market; the 2M Premounted, for customers who wish direct and easy mounting and replacement on their S-shaped tonearm; the 2M Verso, for bottom mount headshells; and the 2MR, which is designed cartridge housing tailored for turntables and tonearms like Rega, matching their requirement for low-form factor cartridges.

Features
The 2M Red features Ortofon’s very own invention: the split pole pins with a copper wire that gives you a sound reproduction so precise only your heart dares skip a beat.

Exploring the Lineup
The 2M series is built on our philosophy of accuracy in sound. All our experience, know-how, technology, and innovation has gone into making it the series that lets you hear the music the way the artist intended. In every piece of every cartridge, we strive for perfection, and when the technology can’t deliver the quality we want - we invent something that can. To ensure the highest of quality in our product we keep everything close. All our cartridges are designed and crafted right here in Denmark.

The 2M Series is developed in conjunction with the Danish Industrial designer Møller 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.

Output
The engine provides an increased output of 5.5 mV, an optimized sound reproduction, and a high level of sonic accuracy. With the 2M Red, you will hear the music come to life on its own terms. It is like taking a step into the music itself. This is our entry-level cartridge in the series, but what an entry.

Ownership:
Brand New

Cosmetic Condition:
New - See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab.

Included:
Just the Unit

Packing:
Will be packed using our highly developed in-house process and custom packing materials.Reviews:
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Specs:
- Channel balance at 1 kHz
- 1.5 dB

- Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5cm/sec
- 5.5 mV

- Channel seperation at 1 kHz
- 22 dB

- Channel seperation at 15 kHz
- 15 dB

- Frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- + 3 / - 1 dB

- Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force
- 70 µm

- Compliance, dynamic, lateral
- 20 µm/mN

- Stylus type
- Elliptical

- Stylus tip radius
- r/R 8/18 µm

- Tracking force range
- 1.6-2.0 g (16-20 mN)

- Tracking force, recommended
- 1.8 g (18 mN)

- Tracking angle
- 20°

- Internal impedance, DC resistance
- 1.3 kOhm

- Cartridge colour
- Black/Red

- Cartridge weight
- 7.2

- Premounted cartridge weight
- 16.7 g

- Recommended load resistance
- 47 kOhm

- Internal inductance
- 700 mH

- Recommended load capacitance
- 150-300 pF

Testing Process:
We start by doing a detailed physical inspection under light magnification to asses the cantilever condition, its position in the cartridge body, and the condition of the suspension.

We also inspect any coil wires and the output connections to make sure it hasn't been strained. We then perform a light cleaning with specialized agents and very carefully blow dry with compressed air.

Following that, we conduct a thorough examination using our Wild Heerbrugg professional microscope. From there we can asses the wear and quality of the stylus and determine how much use it has seen, and if there are any mechanical issues. We can also identify if it needs further cleaning or care.

We then move the cartridge to a digital microscope where we take photos of the cantilever and stylus for future reference.

Next we move to the test bench where we can check for continuity of each channel and resistance.

On certain cartridges (or if the technician feels necessary) we install the cartridge on a turntable and run several test records to ascertain tacking ability, distortion, and compliance.