The Ortofon 2MR Black LVB 250 is the R-mount edition of the limited 2M Black LVB 250 cartridge, released to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven. It sits at the top of Ortofon's 2M moving magnet range, taking the established 2M Black design and pairing it with the higher-grade stylus and suspension components otherwise found on the considerably more expensive Cadenza Black moving coil cartridge. The R designation indicates the low-form-factor housing engineered for Rega tonearms and other turntables that require a slim cartridge profile.
Boron Cantilever and Nude Shibata Stylus
The 2MR Black LVB 250 uses a Nude Shibata diamond mounted on a boron cantilever, the same combination Ortofon specifies for its acclaimed MC Cadenza Black. The Shibata profile, with r/R dimensions of 6/50 micrometres, traces a slim, highly polished tip that maintains a notably wide contact area with the groove wall. This extended contact improves retrieval of detail across the full frequency spectrum and reduces wear on both stylus and record. The boron cantilever is exceptionally stiff and lightweight, contributing to the transparency, speed and transient response that distinguish the LVB 250 from the standard 2M Black.
Nano Tube Suspension System
To balance compliance with damping, Ortofon developed a new rubber compound for the LVB 250 suspension. The compound is built around Multi Wall Carbon Nano Tubes (MWCNT) used as a high-efficiency nano filler within the rubber polymer matrix. The result is improved mechanical damping and a cleaner, more controlled cartridge response. The MWCNT formulation also enables a less polluting and more energy-efficient production process.
R-Mount Housing for Rega Tonearms
The 2MR housing is designed specifically for low-profile tonearms such as those fitted to Rega turntables. The narrow body installs with two screws directly into the tonearm's bayonet-style fixing, removing the need for spacers or additional adjustment under the tonearm. Internally, the cartridge uses Ortofon's quad-coil generator with split pole pins and silver-plated OFC coil wire, delivering a 5 mV output at 1 kHz and frequency response of 20 to 20,000 Hz (+2 / -1 dB) into a standard 47 kOhm phono input.
Compatibility
At 6 grams, the 2MR Black LVB 250 is compatible with low-profile and standard tonearms that accept R-mount cartridges. The dynamic compliance of 22 micrometres per millinewton suits medium-mass tonearms typical of mid- and high-end turntables. A recommended tracking force of 1.6 grams sits at the centre of a 1.5 to 1.7 gram range. The replacement stylus is the Stylus 2M Black LVB 250.