Hey everyone,

Just a quick heads-up — there won’t be a post today because I’m waiting on a new piece of gear that should arrive tomorrow: the Ortofon Concorde Music Black stylus and cartridge.

This new cartridge is replacing my four-year-old Ortofon 2M Black Plug & Play MkII, which has been my go-to since April 2021. It’s served me faithfully for thousands of rips, but it’s time to give it a well-earned retirement. Rather than just replace the stylus, I decided to go with the full Concorde Music Black cartridge — and here’s why:

Even though it looks different, the Concorde Music Black is essentially identical to the 2M Black in terms of sound and performance:

• Both use the Nude Shibata stylus for ultra-precise tracking and top-tier detail.

• They share the same moving magnet generator system and specs, offering that signature rich, dynamic Ortofon sound.

• Frequency response, channel balance, and output levels are all nearly identical.

The biggest difference is the design. The Concorde version features an integrated headshell that plugs directly into my Technics SL-1200MK7 — no screws, no cartridge alignment, no hassle. Just plug in, set the tracking force (1.8g), and drop the needle.

👉 Ortofon Concorde Music Black – Official Product Page

A Huge Thank You

I also want to take a moment to thank everyone who has donated to Burning the Ground. This cartridge upgrade was made possible because of your support. Your donations directly fund the gear I use to preserve and share these amazing 12″ mixes — from cartridges and styli to software and equipment upkeep. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.

Once the new cartridge arrives and I’ve had a chance to break it in, I’ll be back with more music magic. Thanks again for sticking with me — and for being part of this music-loving community.

Stay tuned,
Paul