The Cadenza series

At Ortofon we constantly look for new technology to be used in our products and push the performance of existing technology. Thus we assure the highest level of performance and quality. Ortofon decided to develope a new cartridge series that is even more ambitious.

By carefully implementing cobalt-iron pole pieces, new improved winding process on the armature, using extruded aluminium housing in the models as well as other changes, we have been able to reveal new possibilities in performing the analogue information. It was also decided to make a more complete range of cartridges, which meant an introduction of a moving coil Cadenza Mono model to support our customers, who have an extended interest in micro groove mono records.

Each of the five Cadenza Series cartridges has its own individual sonic expression, and all five models together represent the ensemble of five classic variations:

• MC cadenza Mono is a true mono cartridge for playing mono microgroove vinyl records
• MC Cadenza Red delivers open, dynamic sound with a touch of warmth
• MC Cadenza Blue adds more dynamics and resolution, sounds more open and reproduces more details
• MC Cadenza Bronze adds even more details and resolution but in a very evenhanded way that pays respect to all elements
• MC Cadenza is the best of everything, true to the groove with resolution and accurate insight into each recording

Cadenza Black is optimized for an amazing tonal neutrality, dynamics and purity of sound.

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.
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.

Cadenza Black is high performing on areas like detail, consistency and sound staging.

MC Cadenza Black Technical data

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)
*) Typical value

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 gram