Made this exact step-up on my Debut Evo; haven’t fitted it yet though, so thanks for the vids. A lot of the juicy bits you had to cut out for use of two hands - you must get a tripod!
I'm in the market for a new turntable and the one thing I've learned from this video is get a cartridge that has built-in mounting threads because dealing with those nuts is NUTS. Cool dog.
I just purchased a Project X1 turntable. It came with the Sumiko Olympia cartridge, but I decided to buy the Ortofon 2M Blue to replace it. Setting up the Project X1 was simple enough, but replacing the cartridge is madness. The wire connections were difficult to remove, and the wires themselves are like sowing thread. Very fragile, and maddening if you accidentally pull some out of the tonearm. Using tweezers to thread them back in is so tedious I used expletives. I wear glasses, but I had to use a magnifier's glass for this process. Then there's the little anti skate weight and it's sowing thread THIN CLEAR mono filament string with a loop on the end. Why Clear? It's so thin you can barely see it. I haven't hooked it up to my amp yet, but the cost and the aggravation better be worth the money in performance.
Sorry, I know this vid is a bit dated, regardless, wanted to say how much I enjoyed you sharing the journey of mounting the Sumiko - excellent and helpful on my end. I've heard that generally, only generally (the AudioTechnica ART1000 is definitely one of those exceptions) that although it seems instinctive to set the tracking force toward the lighter end of the scale, moving toward the higher end usually benefits performance and doesn't, as one might imagine, contribute to record wear - - - thanks again, so enjoy all of your vids - and thanks for including your "Buddy" now and then.
The 2M Silver is just a fancy 2M Red, just for fun you should try upgrading the stylus to the 2M Blue. This will give you a really nice combo. with the silver wiring in the Silver and the nude elliptical stylus of the Blue. I have the same table as yours, but with the solid aluminum platter and am very please with the sound. It is bright but detailed and bass response is more than adequate. I did swap out the RCA cables though, the ones supplied by Project could be better.
Sorry if this sounds silly, but when removing the wires, would it be any easier if the cart is unscrewed and off the arm? Only asking as i'm about to move a 2M black to another turntable, and i'm very concerned about disconnecting...
Hi! You can adjust the vta by getting sheets of a newspaper cut to a circle put it under the platter mat try two or three and then add to that. Ideally ironing newspaper first. You could be bass shy because of the cable to the phono stage if it's very long! you'll get more top end less base the shorter more bass less top end this applies more to moving magnets than moving coil. Are you alright you don't do any more videos?!
Was the old cartridge a 2M red or 2m blue? I have the the 2m red and I also find it a bit bright and lacking low end; I was thinking about replacing it with the 2m blue.
Catch the Wave, the 2m Bronze will be the warmest of the Ortofon 2m series. Stereopolice is still not going to find all the bass his new Blue Point cartridge is capable of because of the Yamaha integrated amp’s built in phono preamp. The rolled off Sumiko WILL be a better match than the more extended Ortofon with the bright Yammy though.
My Ortofon is a 2M silver. Here's what Ortofon has to say: "Physically 2M styli will fit on alternative 2M cartridges bodies, but 2M Series cartridges’ engines, coils and magnets configurations are not quite identical: Red and Blue are identical, so are the Bronze and Black and so are the true mono variants 2M Mono and 2M 78. 2M Silver phono cartridge is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) model that takes most of the characteristics of the 2M Red. 2M Silver's special feature is silver plated copper coils, the same coil wire material as in the 2M Bronze and Black models, with a reduced number of windings". Source: www.ortofon.com/stylus-2m-silver-p-396 I suspect that all of the 2Ms are very similar internally, with minor tweaks. I also suspect (not that I actually know), that all of the 2Ms have sonically similar characteristics. If you find it bright and lacking bass, as I do, I'd recommend going with an entirely different model and/or brand, as I did. It worked. I now have very balanced sound, and much more bass and bass slam. The Blue Point No. 2 is confirmed - I'd recommend it as one option. Regards ....
stereopolice, system synergy is everything when trying to get the satisfaction we want from our HiFi. I reinstalled my 2m Bronze on my Music Hall MMF-7.3 table (which is made by Project and has essentially the same tone arm as yours) after deciding the Nagaoka MP-150 cart was too mellow and laid back, lacking the sparkle I missed with the Ortofon. To my knowledge the 2m Red and Blue share the same body, magnet and wiring and 2m Bronze and Black share the same body, etc. Yes, theoretically ALL the 2m series colored styli can be interchanged with the 2m bodies but there are deferences in the internal wiring and magnet structure as you stated within the two body groups: Red/Blue and the Bronze/Black. Reviewers more knowledgeable than I strongly recommend staying within the specific body/styli groups. I’m not familiar with the “Silver”. Though I do know some claim silver wiring in interconnects CAN sound bright. YOUR ears are the final arbiter of what cart, preamp and table sounds best in YOUR system. As with most things HiFi, ESPECIALLY vinyl, there are no absolutes. Enjoy your vinyl!
Michael Schroeder I got m2 brown and it is a good “budget” cart. Is Black that much more “refine”? I don’t know but I’ll try it at some point as they’re interchangeable. Personally, I like m2 series as they’re easy on my wallet when the stylus wears out.
Nice vid. I happen to have the Ortofon Red, and now I'm intrigued by your revelation. I see that you have a new video that I haven't viewed yet, but I'm going to give my turntable a listen again and see what my cartridge sounds like. I might be making a purchase...
Changing to the Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 brought out bass that rivals and sometimes betters the digital counterpart. My Ortofon sounded good, but ... but way shelved down in the bass department. I don't know if it was just "my" cartridge, or if all of the Ortofon 2Ms are this way. I just don't know. But I'm not going back. Regards ...
Nice video on your setup a little long but nice and a word of advice upgrade those cables in the back of your turntable you'll get a much better sound it's like night and day if you can experiment with cables don't be afraid to spend 50 $150 try them all out you will hear the difference take the best ones for you but get rid of those stock cables they're not that good!!!!😎
Glad you like it. Well done.
great turntable love it!
Made this exact step-up on my Debut Evo; haven’t fitted it yet though, so thanks for the vids. A lot of the juicy bits you had to cut out for use of two hands - you must get a tripod!
I'm in the market for a new turntable and the one thing I've learned from this video is get a cartridge that has built-in mounting threads because dealing with those nuts is NUTS. Cool dog.
Depends on the tonearm. Those nuts help center the cartridge on a Rega tonearm. My Ortofon 2m blue was a nightmare to center and align on my SOTA.
I always find putting the leads on first easiest, holding the cartridge between thumb and forefinger. (saves any strain on the arm and bearings)
I just purchased a Project X1 turntable. It came with the Sumiko Olympia cartridge, but I decided to buy the Ortofon 2M Blue to replace it. Setting up the Project X1 was simple enough, but replacing the cartridge is madness. The wire connections were difficult to remove, and the wires themselves are like sowing thread. Very fragile, and maddening if you accidentally pull some out of the tonearm. Using tweezers to thread them back in is so tedious I used expletives. I wear glasses, but I had to use a magnifier's glass for this process. Then there's the little anti skate weight and it's sowing thread THIN CLEAR mono filament string with a loop on the end. Why Clear? It's so thin you can barely see it. I haven't hooked it up to my amp yet, but the cost and the aggravation better be worth the money in performance.
Sorry, I know this vid is a bit dated, regardless, wanted to say how much I enjoyed you sharing the journey of mounting the Sumiko - excellent and helpful on my end. I've heard that generally, only generally (the AudioTechnica ART1000 is definitely one of those exceptions) that although it seems instinctive to set the tracking force toward the lighter end of the scale, moving toward the higher end usually benefits performance and doesn't, as one might imagine, contribute to record wear - - - thanks again, so enjoy all of your vids - and thanks for including your "Buddy" now and then.
I didnt recall if you set the overhang on the cart?
The 2M Silver is just a fancy 2M Red, just for fun you should try upgrading the stylus to the 2M Blue. This will give you a really nice combo. with the silver wiring in the Silver and the nude elliptical stylus of the Blue. I have the same table as yours, but with the solid aluminum platter and am very please with the sound. It is bright but detailed and bass response is more than adequate. I did swap out the RCA cables though, the ones supplied by Project could be better.
Sorry if this sounds silly, but when removing the wires, would it be any easier if the cart is unscrewed and off the arm? Only asking as i'm about to move a 2M black to another turntable, and i'm very concerned about disconnecting...
I would suggest you level the table 1st before doing your adjustment/settings, if not leveled , they may be off.
So the next upgrade will be an Ortofon 2M Black?
Are you happy with the turntable
Hi! You can adjust the vta by getting sheets of a newspaper cut to a circle put it under the platter mat try two or three and then add to that. Ideally ironing newspaper first.
You could be bass shy because of the cable to the phono stage if it's very long! you'll get more top end less base the shorter more bass less top end this applies more to moving magnets than moving coil. Are you alright you don't do any more videos?!
Was the old cartridge a 2M red or 2m blue? I have the the 2m red and I also find it a bit bright and lacking low end; I was thinking about replacing it with the 2m blue.
Catch the Wave, the 2m Bronze will be the warmest of the Ortofon 2m series. Stereopolice is still not going to find all the bass his new Blue Point cartridge is capable of because of the Yamaha integrated amp’s built in phono preamp. The rolled off Sumiko WILL be a better match than the more extended Ortofon with the bright Yammy though.
My Ortofon is a 2M silver. Here's what Ortofon has to say:
"Physically 2M styli will fit on alternative 2M cartridges bodies, but 2M Series cartridges’ engines, coils and magnets configurations are not quite identical: Red and Blue are identical, so are the Bronze and Black and so are the true mono variants 2M Mono and 2M 78.
2M Silver phono cartridge is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) model that takes most of the characteristics of the 2M Red. 2M Silver's special feature is silver plated copper coils, the same coil wire material as in the 2M Bronze and Black models, with a reduced number of windings".
Source: www.ortofon.com/stylus-2m-silver-p-396
I suspect that all of the 2Ms are very similar internally, with minor tweaks. I also suspect (not that I actually know), that all of the 2Ms have sonically similar characteristics. If you find it bright and lacking bass, as I do, I'd recommend going with an entirely different model and/or brand, as I did. It worked. I now have very balanced sound, and much more bass and bass slam. The Blue Point No. 2 is confirmed - I'd recommend it as one option.
Regards ....
stereopolice, system synergy is everything when trying to get the satisfaction we want from our HiFi. I reinstalled my 2m Bronze on my Music Hall MMF-7.3 table (which is made by Project and has essentially the same tone arm as yours) after deciding the Nagaoka MP-150 cart was too mellow and laid back, lacking the sparkle I missed with the Ortofon. To my knowledge the 2m Red and Blue share the same body, magnet and wiring and 2m Bronze and Black share the same body, etc. Yes, theoretically ALL the 2m series colored styli can be interchanged with the 2m bodies but there are deferences in the internal wiring and magnet structure as you stated within the two body groups: Red/Blue and the Bronze/Black. Reviewers more knowledgeable than I strongly recommend staying within the specific body/styli groups. I’m not familiar with the “Silver”. Though I do know some claim silver wiring in interconnects CAN sound bright. YOUR ears are the final arbiter of what cart, preamp and table sounds best in YOUR system. As with most things HiFi, ESPECIALLY vinyl, there are no absolutes. Enjoy your vinyl!
I find it great to have a discussion where information and knowledge is gained, thanks for the replies.
Michael Schroeder I got m2 brown and it is a good “budget” cart. Is Black that much more “refine”? I don’t know but I’ll try it at some point as they’re interchangeable. Personally, I like m2 series as they’re easy on my wallet when the stylus wears out.
Cool. I actually like setting up TTs. Weird huh? 🤷🏻♂️
Uh, if it's weird, then I'm weird. I love it too. In a world of instant gratification, it's nice to work for something, and have patience.
Yep. Don’t be in a rush for this. Get you a cold beer or a glass of wine, and take your time. For sure...
Thanks for the video. I also own a sumiko blue pt 2. Move your can drink away !
Nice vid. I happen to have the Ortofon Red, and now I'm intrigued by your revelation. I see that you have a new video that I haven't viewed yet, but I'm going to give my turntable a listen again and see what my cartridge sounds like. I might be making a purchase...
Changing to the Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 brought out bass that rivals and sometimes betters the digital counterpart. My Ortofon sounded good, but ... but way shelved down in the bass department. I don't know if it was just "my" cartridge, or if all of the Ortofon 2Ms are this way. I just don't know. But I'm not going back. Regards ...
Nice video on your setup a little long but nice and a word of advice upgrade those cables in the back of your turntable you'll get a much better sound it's like night and day if you can experiment with cables don't be afraid to spend 50 $150 try them all out you will hear the difference take the best ones for you but get rid of those stock cables they're not that good!!!!😎
THE DOG IS CUTE..HAHAA
“Has a “track record” of reliability” 👍🏻
good video, please be a little more succinct.
I've been thinking about that, but nothing's happening.
This guy is ANNOYING!!!
Yawwwwwwn!!!!!