Ortofon

The Ortofon MC Cadenza Mono is a high-performance moving coil (MC) phono cartridge designed specifically for mono playback. It is part of Ortofon's Cadenza series, which is renowned for its precision, detail, and fidelity. This cartridge is tailored to meet the needs of audiophiles who value the authentic reproduction of mono recordings, providing a listening experience that is both rich and accurate.

Key Features

• Moving Coil Design: High-efficiency moving coil (MC) for superior sound quality and accuracy.
• Optimized for Mono: Specially designed to deliver exceptional performance for mono recordings.
• Elliptical Stylus: Equipped with a high-quality elliptical stylus for precise tracking and minimal distortion.
• Robust Construction: Built with durable materials, including a rigid aluminum body and neodymium magnet system.
• Low Output Voltage: 0.45 mV output ensures compatibility with a wide range of preamps.

Detailed Description

Moving Coil Design

The MC Cadenza Mono utilizes a moving coil design, which is known for its superior sound reproduction capabilities compared to moving magnet (MM) cartridges. The moving coil principle allows for lower moving mass, leading to improved transient response and a more detailed sound profile. This design also enables the cartridge to retrieve more information from the grooves, resulting in a more dynamic and lifelike sound.

Optimized for Mono Playback

Unlike stereo cartridges, the MC Cadenza Mono is specifically engineered for mono recordings. It features a single coil that picks up the lateral modulations in the record groove, which is where the mono information is stored. This design eliminates the vertical modulations that are present in stereo recordings, thus reducing noise and enhancing the clarity and accuracy of the mono signal. This cartridge is ideal for those who listen to a significant amount of mono vinyl records, offering a truly authentic mono listening experience.

Elliptical Stylus

The cartridge is fitted with an elliptical stylus, which is known for its ability to trace the grooves of the vinyl record with high precision. The elliptical shape of the stylus allows it to make better contact with the record groove compared to a spherical stylus, resulting in lower distortion and improved high-frequency response. This stylus type is particularly effective in extracting detailed information from the record grooves, making it an excellent choice for high-fidelity audio playback.

Robust Construction

The MC Cadenza Mono is constructed with durability in mind. It features a rigid aluminum body that not only provides structural integrity but also helps to minimize vibrations that could affect the sound quality. The use of a neodymium magnet system further enhances the performance by providing a strong magnetic field, ensuring accurate signal generation. This robust construction ensures that the cartridge can withstand the rigors of regular use while maintaining its high-performance characteristics over time.

Low Output Voltage

With an output voltage of 0.45 mV, the MC Cadenza Mono is designed to work with high-quality phono preamps that offer sufficient gain. This low output voltage is typical of moving coil cartridges and contributes to the cartridge's ability to produce a more refined and detailed sound. The low voltage also reduces the risk of overloading the phono stage, ensuring that the audio signal remains clean and undistorted.

Technical Specifications

Please read the recommendations for stylus and record care: Ortofon's HiFi FAQ