The accompanying documentation asks that the user plug in the power supplies last, after all other connections are made, and with low-level music playing through the system. Setting up the Maraschinos is pretty straightforward, with some twists.

The Maraschinos are produced with a brilliant, high-quality red finish (which is fitting considering the amp’s name). The chassis sits on a granite block, with Sorbothane feet for resonance control.

These power supplies are upgradeable, with an available power increase of up to 800 watts. The amps feature true balanced input and external power supplies with IEC receptacles. The parts employed are very high quality and include Dayton binding posts, Neutrik XLR inputs, and high-tolerance metal oxide resistors. The Maraschinos are mighty mites, with published output power of 250 watts into 4 ohms. The $4,000-per-pair Cherry Maraschino monoblock model is the newest brainchild of company designer Tommy O’Brien. Every amplifier comes built to user specifications, allowing customers to choose standard or Ultra configurations and the amp’s color. The company says it does not use prefabricated modules and that it designs all vital components in-house, with everything built in the Unites States. The company’s Cherry line comprises stereo and monoblock variants, which are available in standard or higher-output Ultra configurations. Its products output plenty of power from manageably sized and attractive packages. The Digital Amplifier Company-founded in 1996 and located in Allentown, Penn.-solely produces hyper-engineered, audiophile-grade Class-D amplifiers. Again, you might view that “soul” as coloration, so if that is your preference, ignore my choice in phono stage here. It proves an incredibly good mate for the Decware phonostage, which is a few drops on the warm side of neutral, making up for the slight bit of soul that the 2M Black does not posess. This cartridge does not enhance, embellish or color the midrange in a way some other designs can. Almost exactly like the Cadenza Bronze cartridge I use in my Avid Volvere SP turntable, the 2M Black features an incredibly clean midband. Previously accustomed to the current OM40 and the vintage VMS20 cartridges, there is a definite family resemblance, yet the 2M Black displays more refinement throughout the range. Mounted in my Thorens TD-124/SME 3009 combination, equally good results were achieved with both a vintage Sansui 771 receiver and the Decware MM phono stage in my reference system. With an output of 5mv and a recommended tracking force of 1.5 grams, it works equally well with your favorite vintage receiver to a modern MM phono stage. Reasonably priced at about $700, depending on where you purchase one, this cartridge features a shibata stylus and is very easy to set up. I’d much rather listen to a great MM with a well designed phono stage, than a budget MC cartridge with a less than stellar phono stage.Įnter the 2M Black. Much as I’d rather have 16/44.1 digital well implemented than budget high res, I feel the same way about cartridges. Trying to break the price/performance barrier, there are a couple of great moving coil cartridges that immediately come to mind, and Ortofon’s own SPU at $999 is at the top of my list, but all of these cartridges need a step up device of some kind, which adds to the bottom line. I’m sorry to say we are late to the party on this one… Ortofon’s 2M Black has received numerous accolades from nearly every hifi magazine on the planet and with good reason – it’s a fantastic sounding cartridge.

An in-depth interview with Sharon Van EttenĬrowdfunding-It’s not just for HiFi anymore:

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