Ortofon Hi-Fi 2M Red Moving Magnet Cartridge

Where Great Vinyl Sound Starts

The Ortofon 2M Red is the cartridge most turntables are measured against, and for good reason. This moving magnet design delivers open, dynamic sound with a touch of warmth, an elliptical diamond stylus for accurate tracking, and Ortofon's split pole pins for a clean, flat frequency response. It's the sensible first cartridge, and the easy upgrade for a budget turntable.

Why You'll Love It

• Warm, open, easy to love: The 2M Red delivers dynamic, detailed sound with a slight touch of warmth that flatters almost any record and system, which is why it's fitted to so many turntables as standard.

• Fits almost anything: A high 5.5mV output works with any standard MM phono input, and the half-inch mount and 7.2g weight suit the vast majority of turntables and tonearms.

• Upgrade later, without starting over: The stylus is user-replaceable, so you can drop in a 2M Blue or Silver stylus down the track for more detail, without buying a whole new cartridge.

Under the Hood

• Elliptical diamond stylus: A tipped elliptical diamond traces the groove more accurately than the conical styli on cheaper cartridges, pulling more detail from your records with lower distortion.

• Split pole pins: Ortofon's own split pole pin design gives this moving magnet cartridge the flat frequency response usually associated with pricier moving coil designs.

• Built to last: The Hopelex body stays rigid and resonance-free, and the stylus is good for around 1000 hours of play with proper care.

CHT Insider Verdict

The 2M Red is the cartridge we recommend more than any other. It's the natural first step up from a bundled or worn cartridge, it suits nearly every turntable we sell, and it sounds great for the money. Want more resolution and air? The 2M Blue is the obvious next rung, but plenty of people are perfectly happy stopping here.

Pro Tip: When it's time to upgrade, you don't need a whole new cartridge. The 2M Red and 2M Blue share the same body, so you can just swap the red stylus for a blue one and get most of the way to a Blue for less. It's the cheapest real upgrade in vinyl.