What is the tracking force for ortofon Blue?

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Nubben Well-Known Member Thread Starter

Hi All,
Have just picked up an Ortofon 2m Blue which I have put on a Jelco HS-25 headshell on my Pioneer PLX-1000.
Recommended tracking force is 1.8g but I have put it at 1.99g (0.01g below the max recommended, 2.0g).
Am getting pretty good results from this.
What tracking force have you set yours at? Any issues running it at 2.0g that you have heard/seen?
Many thanks!
Nubben
2.0 and no problems,as long a everything is set up correct should be fine.
Aaron
1.8 as per manufacturer's instructions. Not saying it sounds better at that weight, just that's what I set it to and left it there.
If recommended is 1.8 what benefit do you think there is for using more than that?
1.96 during initial break in, trying a hair over 1.8 now.
Nubben Well-Known Member Thread Starter

I saw this clip:
EXTREMELY interesting! My Grandma pretty much subscribed to the theory that if a little bit will do a little bit of good then a lot will do a lot of good. Admittedly I tend toward that position as well, but have always held back a little of that attitude when it came to manufacturers recommended tracking force. I believe this merits some experimentation. Thanks for the clip!
Nubben Well-Known Member Thread Starter
I've run mine at 1.7-1.9 on my SH4 headshell without much difference in sound from what I could tell. Normally right at 1.8
I'm at 1.85 currently but am experimenting going both higher and lower.
Few years ago I was using this cart on my Technics SL1210m5g, and it sounded the best at 1.8 VTF and a bit lower VTA than recommended. At higher tnah 1.8 VTF it sounded lifeless, and at higher VTA - a bit bright. The Ortofon 2M series are very VTA sensitive, from my experience, so it's worth playing a bit with the VTA (if your turntable have this option) in order to get best results.
Nubben Well-Known Member Thread Starter

Ok thanks!
Actually I have now experienced severe inner groove distortion with this set-up. Not sure what the problem is but everything is level and properly aligned/set-up.
The record where it's most noticeable is the back on black reissue of steely dan's aja album. Last track on side one. It sounds like they have compressed it to smithereens. Awful. Anyone had problems with this record specifically or could there be an issue with my set-up? As mentioned the first few tracks sound great but last track is rubbish.
If you experience severe or noticeable inner groove distortion of all your records, then something with the cart alignment have to be wrong.
Thanks for posting that video, very informative.
Not to get off track, but....anyone know what brush Sterling used? Regular old makeup brush?
Nubben Well-Known Member Thread Starter

Which alignment method do you guys use for the ortofon 2m blue?
Which method is best - B, S or L? Or is that dependent on the turntable as well?
Many thanks!
Pull the stylus off and look closely to make sure it doesn't have a tight wad of stuff on it. Hard to see from just looking above and brushing. I've had the distortion issue with my blue and that was it. Just a thought

Kristofa and timztunz like this.
Update.......I checked the VTF of the Exact 2 on my Rega RP6, which is recommended 1.75gm, and it was at 1.68gm. Don't know how that happened because it wasn't set up that way. So I picked a familiar selection and listened according to the idea in the video. Moving from 1.68 to 1.75 was a noticeable improvement, as were the other adjustments gradually getting heavier until finally dialing it back to 1.85 which seems to be the virtual sweet spot. Nice tip. It's always good to gain ground without spending $, just time.
Sorry to hijack your Ortofon post with Rega news but I was excited.
Nubben Well-Known Member Thread Starter

Glad to be able to contribute timztunz!
Nubben Well-Known Member Thread Starter

Thanks Manimal - will check. But the cartridge is brand new and so is the vinyl so am at a loss here...
Yea, when mine was new I got the distortion thing and it drove me insane trying to figure it out. For me the cleaner I was using incorrectly (with felt brush) was leaving residue on the needle that was so small and tightly wrapped ( couldn't see it from above) it had to be cleaned off with distilled water and brush. Of course I only now use Pheonix cleaner with vacuum.
If I can save one brother from THAT agony I'm good
Chris C Music was my first love and it will be my last!

I LOVE this 2m Blue on my Dual 1219! I am playing much more vinyl ever since that cart and turntable arrived at my front door!
Nubben Well-Known Member Thread Starter

Ok shall check that asap - thanks!
Nubben Well-Known Member Thread Starter

Manimal - did you experience the distortion only on the inner grooves or across the entire record?
I have checked the cartridge and no gunk; have also cleaned the stylus.
I have also aligned the cartridge properly (by aligning the cantilever perpendicular to the hash marks , however the cartridge body is not perpendicular to the hash marks, go figure), azimuth set, VTA correct, VTF at 1.8g, anti-skating set but for the life of me I cannot get the IGD (this distortion sounds like clipping/compression) to go away!! Aaaargghhh!!!
What could be wrong with my set-up?

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molar-endocrine

How long will an Ortofon 2M blue last?

2M Blue Technical data Stylus lifetime: with proper care we find that up to 1000 hours is possible without degradation of performance.

What is the tracking force for Ortofon 2M Red?

Specifications.

Is Ortofon blue better than red?

The sound is far-more open than the 2M Red but without pushing to any extremes. It's easy to enjoy the 2M Blue no matter what level of vinyl enthusiast you consider yourself to be. Go Blue and rediscover your record collection – you'll be surprised just how much better a nude stylus can sound.