ORTOFON Cadenza Black Moving Coil Cartridge

Ortofon is one of the worlds most trusted brands for turntable cartridges - from DJ's and radio stations to Audiophiles and Music lovers. When moving up in the world of vinyl playback it is nearly always going to end up being a Moving Coil cartridge that gives the performance leap above a certain price point. The Ortofon Cadenza range are proof of this.

ORTOFON Cadenza Black Moving Coil Cartridge

The first of the MC ranges is the Quintet range which is a taste of what MC carts can do... then there is the Cadenza range - taking over from the now defunct Kontrapunkt range. The Cadenza cartridge range is where the benefits of an MC cartridge are readily apparent with the extra detail, smoothness, soundstage and texture that MC carts are renowned for.

Cadenza Black model is using a Nude Shibata stylus with a Boron cantilever.

The Cadenza Black model is using a Nude Shibata stylus with a boron cantilever. The effective mass of the stylus/cantilever system is extremely low due to the use of a very thin boron rod. This material is extremely stiff and even more lightweight than aluminium. This stylus/cantilever combination delivers the utmost delicacy and detail in the high frequencies along with real control in the bottom octave.
It also uses the WRD/Wide Range Damping-system applied for MC Windfeld, MC A90, MC Anna, Xpression and MC A95 cartridges, controlling the high and low frequency damping separately.
The coil wire is the famous Ortofon Aucurum wire, which is a gold plated 6NX copper wire.

The Cadenza Black MC cartridge is a new reference level for Ortofon at this price point and brings appreciably more detail, air and soundstage depth compared to the other models in the Cadenza range.

Quotes from Reviews - Ortofon Cadenza Black

"...the Black uses many moving parts of the A90...sound is weighty and satisfyingly rhythmic...The Black offered a beautifully smooth, svelte and expansive sound stage. It has generous stage depth and always sounds relaxed and in control of proceedings...

...If you are looking for an ultimately smooth and sophisticated sonic delivery from LP, Ortofon's new Cadenza Black is as good as it gets at what is a 'reasonable' price...the Black is a lovely cartridge..."  : HiFi World April 2010

ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK SPECIFICATIONS :

Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. - 0,33 mV
Channel balance at 1 kHz - < 0,8 dB
Channel separation at 1 kHz - > 27 dB
Channel separation at 15 kHz - > 20 dB
Frequency range at - 3dB - 20 - 60.000 Hz
Frequency response 20 kHz - 20 kHz - +1,5/0
Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force *) - 90 µm
Compliance, dynamic, lateral - 16 µm/mN
Stylus type - Nude Shibata on Boron cantilever
Stylus tip radius - r/R 6/50 µm
Tracking force range - 2,0-2,5 g (20-25 mN)
Tracking force, recommended - 2,3 g (23 mN)
Tracking angle - 20°
Internal impedance, DC resistance - 5 Ohm
Recommended load impedance - > 10 Ohm
Cartridge body material - Stainless steel Aluminium
Cartridge colour - Black/Black
Cartridge weight - 10,7 g