Ortofon 2M 78
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
80/100
Features Usability
83/100
Value for Money
93/100
Rediscover shellac treasures with the 2M 78’s assured wide-groove tracking, vivid mono clarity and emotionally communicative midrange. Audiophilia found its spherical stylus uncovered fine string detail, lively woodwinds and concert-like expression, making this specialist cartridge a compelling, accessibly priced route to richly engaging 78 rpm playback.
Pros
Delivers clear, emotionally involving mono playback with fine string detail and a dynamic midrange.
Spherical stylus provides superb tracking of wider shellac grooves for a rounded, well-resolved presentation.
Strong value for a dedicated 78 rpm cartridge, with performance that exceeded the reviewer’s expectations.
Cons
Brass can sound slightly heavy on some recordings.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
The available review finds the 2M 78 unusually clear, emotionally immediate and involving with shellac recordings. It combines strong string detail and a dynamic midrange with notably secure tracing, making mono 78 playback sound vivid and well resolved.
Overall Sound
94/100
Audiophilia describes a strikingly clear and intense presentation that conveyed the live emotional expression of the performance. The reviewer also heard high string detail and a dynamic midrange, calling the result rounded and highly engaging.
Tracking Retrieval
95/100
The reviewer explicitly praises the cartridge's “superb tracking” with its spherical stylus, alongside strong retrieval of detail from the wide grooves of shellac records. This is especially meaningful for a dedicated 78 cartridge, where correct groove tracing is central to performance.
Soundstage Imaging
80/100
This is a mono cartridge, so conventional stereo width, channel separation and image placement do not apply. The review does find that its mono presentation enriches the listening experience.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 83/100
Tonearm compatibility / system fit.
Tonearm Compatibility
83/100
Its 4 mV output, 18 µm/mN compliance and 1.8 g recommended tracking force should suit many standard moving-magnet phono stages and medium-mass tonearms. However, it is a specialist cartridge intended for 78 rpm shellac records, so it is not a general-purpose choice for microgroove LP playback.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
80/100
The 2M 78 uses an aluminium cantilever and a purpose-sized 65 µm spherical stylus for shellac grooves, with conventional moving-magnet output and mounting dimensions. The review says little about long-term durability, finish quality or assembly beyond its successful in-use performance.
Value for Money
93/100
At roughly $129–$170, the 2M 78 sits at an accessible price for a dedicated shellac cartridge. Audiophilia calls it relatively inexpensive and says that its performance surpassed expectations, particularly in detail, musical engagement and tracking.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5cm/sec
- 4 mV
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz 3 / - 1 dB
- Tracking ability at 315 Hz
- 70 µm
- Compliance, dynamic, lateral
- 18 µm/mN
- Cantilever material
- Aluminium
- Stylus type
- Spherical
- Stylus tip radius
- R 65 µm
- Tracking force range
- 1.6-2.0g (16-20 mN)
- Tracking force, recommended
- 1.8 g (18 mN)
- Tracking angle
- 20°
- Internal impedance, DC resistance
- 700 Ohm
- Cartridge colour
- Black/Grey
- Cartridge weight
- 7.2 g
- Premounted cartridge weight
- 16.7 g
- Recommended load resistance
- 47 kOhm
- Internal inductance
- 350 mH
- Recommended load capacitance
- 150-300 pF
Manufacturer's Description — Ortofon
Journey back in time with the 2M 78 Mono Cartridge, specially designed for playing 78 rpm shellac records. Immerse yourself in the authentic nostalgia of mono vinyl records brought to life with unparalleled precision and fidelity.
Stylus
The 2M 78 features a stylus' tip with a Spherical diamond, perfect for playback of 78 rpm shellac records. These unique records necessitate a larger stylus profile, and the 2M 78 flawlessly accommodates this requirement, ensuring optimal playback quality and preserving the authenticity of your cherished collection.
Output
The 2M 78 uses a strapped output to deliver the same output signal from both sets of pole pins. This effectively eliminates the need for mono-specific equipment, making it possible to enjoy true mono reproduction on any stereo playback system.
Compatibility
The 2M Series is designed for easy mounting of the cartridge, and for the weight and size to fit the most common turntables on the market 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.
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Ortofon 2M 78
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Audio Association — in-store — Anaheim, California, United States (website)
- 2C Stereo — in-store — Washington, District of Columbia, United States (website)
- à la carte productions — in-store — Palm Coast, Florida, United States (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- Accent On Music — in-store — Mount Kisco, New York, United States (website)
- Acoustic Image — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
and 417 more verified dealers