General:
The Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 is probably our favorite Moving Magnet cartridge currently on the market. It is very rare that we get one in pre-loved condition. This is a perfect plug and play option for a SL-1200GR/GR2 owner.

Key parts of this cartridge include a born cantilever plus a nude shibata diamond stylus. These features together are very difficult to find on MM cartridges.

This cartridge has been examined thoroughly under our shop microscope and tested on our test bench, it shows little to no wear and sounds great.

This package includes, Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 ($1149.99) mounted on a DS Audio HS-001 Headshell ($500). It was calibrated using our 12 step process ($390) for a 1200GR/1200GR2 (sheet included). A total of a $2040 value, making this an $850 savings compared to new.

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
Practically no wear on cartridge and headshell, Some wear on box. Great condition.

Ownership:
Single Owner

General Sound:
Smooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab.

Included:
Unit and box

Packing:
Original Manufacturers Packing

Specs:
- Channel balance at 1 kHz
- 1 dB
- Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5cm/sec
- 5 mV
- Channel separation at 1 kHz
- 27 dB
- Frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- + 2 / - 1 dB
- Tracking ability at 315 Hz
- 80 µm
- Compliance, dynamic, lateral
- 22 µm/mN
- Cantilever material
- Boron
- Stylus type
- Nude Shibata diamond
- Stylus tip radius
- r/R 6/50 µm
- Tracking force range
- 1.5-1.7 g (15-17 mN)
- Tracking force, recommended
- 1.6 g (16 mN)
- Tracking angle
- 20°
- Internal impedance, DC resistance
- 1.2 kOhm
- Cartridge colour
- Black/Black
- Cartridge weight
- 7.2 g
- Premounted cartridge weight
- 16.7 g
- Recommended load resistance
- 47 kOhm
- Internal inductance
- 630 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.

Our DS Audio Collection

DS Audio HS-001 Turntable Headshell - Pre-Loved

Ortofon 2M Black LVB W/ DS Audio HS-001 Headshell- Calibrated for 1200GR/GR2