If you love the Ortofon 2M Black, you'll really love...... (help me upgrade)

Chakster, I am currently in mad passionate love with the Ortofon MC2000. However, it only works for me (with no SUT) because of the very low input sensitivity of the Beveridge direct-drive amplifiers. By this I mean that the amplifiers seem to require rather low signal voltage to drive them to full output. I run the MC2000 direct into my Manley Steelhead which can provide only 65db of gain. I use the Steelhead as a full-function preamplifier, so there is no downstream linestage that provides yet more gain. I calculated that 65db of voltage gain for an average 0.05mV signal would produce barely 0.4V output. Yet somehow the output of the Steelhead when driven by the MC2000 is sufficient to drive the Beveridge 2SW amplifiers to high SPLs, and the Steelhead is very quiet even wide open. However, you would dislike my sample of the MC2000, based on your often stated principles; I bought it from Nandric who had it re-tipped by Axel prior to sale. Axel tried to mimic the original cantilever and stylus shape as much as possible.

The MC2000 does not work well with my other audio system, for lack of adequate phono gain, in the absence of a SUT. Or rather, it gets unacceptably noisy just at the point where it develops adequate SPLs. In fact, I was going to sell the MC2000, until I tried it on the Bev system.

dhcod, I have no direct experience of the modern MM cartridges made by Ortofon, but is the Quintet on a higher plane, commercially, compared to the 2M Black? If so, you might try it. Another highly regarded Ortofon MM is the MM20FL Super, a vintage model of which I own two, both NOS.

@dhcod 

I also love my 2M Black, but I usually use my Clearaudio Maestro V2.  It's very similar sounding to the Black, but maybe a bit warmer (romantic?) sounding.  

I prefer the 2M Black with rock music, but the Clearaudio with every other genre.

Can be found used for much less than MSRP.  Highly recommended!

I have reviewed the post and do not see what phono preamp you may be using.  Does it have moving coil capability?  If it does then in the Ortofon line you have many options at or near your price range.  The Quintet group of either the Bronze or Black would be Ortofons current introductory moving coils well within your range.  The next step up are the Ortofon Cadenza also in your range (Red, Blue and Bronzed) and with a little reach or dealer negotiation you are not far from the Cadenza Black.  I have used both the Bronze (wonderful but slightly on the warmer side of neutral) and the Black which I also love.  I have replaced both with the Windfeld Ti and they now sit on the shelf as I debate if I will part with them.  

There are lots of great high output cartridges out there.  The Ortofon 2M Black is a great cartridge with lots of detail and is not particularly rolled off on the top and lower ends.

If you are willing to sacrifice just a little detail for warmth, liquidity and timbre I would suggest that you look at the Grado Reference Reference 2 (not a typo - that's the model).  This is one of the best sleeper high output cartridges on the market.

Similarly the Miyajima Labs cartridges are excellent.  I have limited experience with the Takumi, which is their entry level model.  Sounded great on a friend's restored Luxman PD-444.

I should also add Soundsmith to the list.  Peter makes a great cartridge, based on the old B&O MI designs.  My only complaint is I feel that these cartridges have become overpriced in recent years, but that's just my opinion and doesn't take anything away from their excellent performance or Soundsmith's excellent customer service.

You can still find the original Ortofon Winfield....better than the Black, but in the same sonic picture.