Ortofon
Ortofon 2M LVB 250
Best high-fidelity upgrade for discerning vinyl enthusiasts seeking exceptional sonic detail.
Celebrate Ludwig van Beethoven's 250th anniversary with the Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 phono cartridge. This exclusive Moving Magnet (MM) cartridge boasts a nude Shibata stylus on a boron cantilever for exceptional detail and transparency. Its advanced rubber compound suspension, enhanced with Multi-Wall Carbon Nano Tubes, ensures superior damping and environmentally friendly production. Designed for compatibility with most modern tonearms, it offers seamless integration and a dynamic, high-fidelity listening experience.
$749.99
More 2M Options
Stylus 2M Bronze
$251.00
Ortofon 2M Blue with SH-4 Headshell
$269.99
Ortofon Stylus 40
$647.00
Ortofon 2M 78
$169.99
Ortofon 2M 78 Replacement Stylus
$137.99
Ortofon 2MR 78 Cartridge
$169.99
Ortofon 2M Bronze Phono Cartridge
$289.00
Ortofon 2MR Mono Cartridge
$459.99
2M Blue Premounted
$269.99
Stylus 2M Black
$649.99
Ortofon 2M Cartridge and Stylus Pre-Mounted on SH-4 Black
$270.00
Ortofon 2MR Black Cartridge
$749.99
Ortofon 2M Blue Verso MM Phono Cartridge
$229.99
__31695.1698068574.jpg)
Ortofon 2M Blue MM Phono Cartridge
$269.99
Ortofon 2M Bronze Stylus Only
$344.99
Stylus 540 MK II
$579.00
Ortofon Stylus 10
$64.00
2M Mono SE
$596.99
2MR Black LVB 250
$1149.99
Ortofon 2M Mono
$459.99
Ortofon 2M Red Premounted MM Phono Cartridge
$169.99
Ortofon Stylus 20
$225.99
2MR Blue
$219.99
2M Red Upgrade
$92.00
Stylus 530 MK II
$397.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
57
/ 1637
#57 in Turntable Accessories
Price vs Category Average
-40%
Below average
Type
Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge
/ Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge
Who it's for
- Vinyl enthusiasts wanting high-end performance with standard phono stages
- Audiophiles seeking maximum resolution and high-frequency detail
- Listeners prioritizing precise transient response and resonance control
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious buyers comparing against high-performance Moving Coil options
- Casual listeners intimidated by precise tonearm and alignment requirements
- Owners concerned about long-term maintenance and replacement costs
Performance breakdown
Sonic Transparency
The Shibata stylus extracts incredible detail from every groove.
Tracking Precision
Boron cantilever construction ensures stable, accurate playback across complex passages.
Damping Performance
Carbon nano tube suspension effectively eliminates unwanted resonance and distortion.
Tonearm Compatibility
High compliance design integrates smoothly with most modern turntable setups.
Installation Ease
Seamless interchangeability makes upgrading from existing 2M series cartridges effortless.
Signal Fidelity
High output voltage delivers a clean, dynamic signal to your preamp.
Key Specs
Type
Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge
Output voltage
5 mV
Channel balance
< 1 dB
Channel separation
> 27 dB
Frequency response
20-20,000 Hz
Tracking ability
80 µm
Compliance
22 µm/mN
Tracking force
1.5-1.7 g
Features
- Nude Shibata stylus for detailed sound
- Boron cantilever for stiffness and lightness
- Advanced rubber compound suspension
- Superior damping and mechanical properties
- High compliance for tonearm compatibility
- Seamless interchangeability with 2M Bronze/Black
- Celebratory Beethoven anniversary edition
- Exceptional tracking and sonic transparency
What customers say
Audiophiles consistently praise the Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 for its exceptional sonic performance, establishing it as a reference MM cartridge. Users frequently cite its outstanding detail retrieval and expansive soundstage, noting significant improvements in dynamics over standard models. The specialized stylus and suspension deliver highly resolving treble and deep, controlled bass, breathing new life into recordings. While the sound quality is world-class, the premium price demands consideration regarding overall value, especially against entry level MC options. Furthermore, achieving optimal performance requires meticulous setup and quality vinyl playback, as the cartridge is unforgiving of poor calibration or surface noise. For dedicated enthusiasts, the listening experience justifies the investment.
Know before you buy
Yes, the 2M LVB 250 is physically compatible with the 2M Bronze and Black bodies. You can simply swap the stylus assembly onto your existing cartridge body to experience the performance benefits of the LVB 250.
The boron cantilever is exceptionally stiff and lightweight, which allows for faster, more accurate tracking of the groove. When paired with the nude Shibata stylus, this setup retrieves more micro-detail and provides a more transparent, open soundstage compared to standard elliptical styli.
The 2M LVB 250 features high compliance, making it an excellent match for most modern, medium-mass tonearms. It is designed to integrate seamlessly into a wide variety of high-fidelity turntable setups.
This advanced rubber compound provides superior damping properties, which helps the cartridge track complex musical passages more cleanly. It effectively reduces unwanted resonance, resulting in a more stable and distortion-free listening experience.
The recommended tracking force for the 2M LVB 250 is between 1.5 and 1.7 grams. We suggest starting at 1.6 grams and adjusting slightly within that range to find the optimal performance for your specific tonearm and record collection.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$750