Ortofon

The Ortofon MC Cadenza Red is a high-performance moving coil (MC) phono cartridge designed to deliver a detailed and dynamic sound experience for audiophiles and serious vinyl enthusiasts. Known for its precision engineering and superior craftsmanship, the Cadenza Red offers a rich, full-bodied audio output with excellent imaging and soundstage. It is part of Ortofon's renowned Cadenza series, which is celebrated for its ability to extract the finest details from vinyl records while maintaining a natural and balanced tonal quality.

Key Features

• Stylus Type: Nude Fine Line stylus for precise tracking and minimal distortion.
• Coil System: Winded using 6NX (99.9999%) pure silver wire for enhanced signal transmission.
• Cantilever: Made of aluminum for reduced mass and improved transient response.
• Body Material: Stainless steel and aluminum combination to minimize unwanted resonances.
• High Output Voltage: 0.45 mV for compatibility with a wide range of phono preamplifiers.
• Excellent Channel Separation: Ensures accurate stereo imaging and clarity.
• Wide Frequency Response: Capable of reproducing a wide range of frequencies with minimal distortion.

Detailed Description

Stylus and Cantilever

The MC Cadenza Red features a Nude Fine Line stylus, which is known for its superior tracking ability and low distortion. The fine line profile allows the stylus to make better contact with the record groove, thereby extracting more information from the vinyl. This results in a more detailed and accurate reproduction of the original recording. The stylus is mounted on an aluminum cantilever, which is lightweight yet rigid, allowing it to respond quickly to the grooves in the record. This design choice enhances the transient response and contributes to the cartridge's ability to handle complex musical passages with ease.

Coil System and Signal Transmission

The coil system in the Cadenza Red is winded using Ortofon's 6NX (99.9999%) pure silver wire. Silver is chosen for its excellent electrical conductivity, which ensures that the signal from the stylus is transmitted with minimal loss and maximum fidelity. The purity of the silver also helps in reducing the internal resistance of the coil, which contributes to the overall efficiency of the cartridge. This design allows the Cadenza Red to deliver a high output voltage of 0.45 mV, making it compatible with a wide range of phono preamplifiers.

Cartridge Body and Resonance Control

The body of the MC Cadenza Red is crafted from a combination of stainless steel and aluminum, which provides a sturdy and stable housing for the internal components. The use of these materials is carefully chosen to minimize unwanted resonances that can color the sound. Stainless steel is known for its high density and rigidity, which helps in dampening vibrations, while aluminum is lightweight and contributes to the overall balance of the cartridge. Together, these materials ensure that the cartridge delivers a clean and uncolored sound, allowing the true character of the music to shine through.

Channel Separation and Stereo Imaging

One of the standout features of the Cadenza Red is its excellent channel separation, which is critical for accurate stereo imaging. The cartridge is designed to maintain a high degree of separation between the left and right channels, ensuring that each channel is reproduced with clarity and precision. This results in a well-defined soundstage where instruments and vocals are distinctly positioned within the stereo field. The ability of the Cadenza Red to maintain this level of separation across a wide frequency range is a testament to its advanced design and engineering.

Frequency Response and Tonal Balance

The Cadenza Red boasts a wide frequency response, capable of reproducing frequencies from 20 Hz to 50 kHz. This extended range allows the cartridge to capture the full spectrum of the audio signal, from the deepest bass to the most delicate high frequencies. The frequency response is not only wide but also remarkably flat, ensuring that no part of the audio spectrum is overly emphasized or suppressed. This results in a natural and balanced tonal quality that faithfully represents the original recording. Whether listening to classical, jazz, rock, or electronic music, the Cadenza Red delivers a consistent and engaging performance.

Tracking Ability and Groove Contact

The tracking ability of a phono cartridge is crucial for accurate playback, and the Cadenza Red excels in this area. The fine line stylus and carefully engineered cantilever work together to maintain precise contact with the record groove, even during demanding passages. The recommended tracking force of 2.3g (23 mN) is optimized to ensure that the stylus tracks the groove accurately without causing excessive wear to the record. This balance between tracking force and stylus shape allows the Cadenza Red to retrieve all the musical details from the groove while preserving the longevity of both the stylus and the vinyl records.

Technical Specifications

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