Ortofon MC Cadenza Red Phono Cartridge

”Tonally Neutral, with a Smooth and Natural Mid and Treble”

Ortofon’s MC Cadenza Red phono cartridge delivers open, dynamic sound with a touch of warmth. The Cadenza Red uses a Nude Fine Line stylus with a cylindrical aluminum cantilever. The stylus tip radius is r/R 8/40 µm. The coils are made from 6NX (99.9999 %) pure silver wire. An improved winding process on the armature allows a superior channel balance. The sound picture of Cadenza Red is relaxed, homogeneous and moderately dynamic, revealing great space and depth in the stereo image.

"From the start, the Cadenza Red dispensed an air of calm. It was tonally neutral, with a smooth and natural mid and treble,” notes Hi-fi News, July 2012. "Bass was accurate, extended and open-sounding, helping the cartridge's ability to offer realistic stereo perspectives.”

"I was quite surprised at the detail and sophistication of the first in line Ortofon Cadenza (Red) moving coil cartridge… It does extract a ton of detail and shades the detail with expression and accurate dynamics,” reports Anthony Kershaw, Audiophilia, May 2016. “Bass was emphatic. Deep and with the resonances that make it such a satisfying musical component.”

Ortofon’s Cadenza Series

Ortofon constantly looks for new technology to be used in its products and pushes the performance of existing technology. Thus it assures the highest level of performance and quality. The Kontrapunkt models and MC Jubilee became market standards and are among Ortofon’s most popular cartridges. Nevertheless Ortofon decided to develop a new cartridge series that is even more ambitious.

By carefully implementing cobalt-iron pole pieces, a new improved winding process on the armature, using extruded aluminum housing in the models as well as other changes, Ortofon has been able to reveal new possibilities in retrieving the analog information for superb audio playback.

Product Features

Moving coil phono cartridge
Nude Fine Line stylus with a cylindrical aluminum cantilever
Coils are made from 6NX (99.9999 %) pure silver wire
Improved winding process on the armature allows a superior channel balance

Product Specs

Output voltage at 1 kHz 5 cm/sec - 0.45 mV
Channel balance - < 1.5 dB
Channel separation at 1 kHz - > 23 dB
Channel separation at 15 kHz - > 15 dB
Frequency range at -3 dB - 20 Hz - 50 kHz
Frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz - +3/-1
Tracking ability at 315 Hz at recommended tracking force *) - 80 μm
Compliance, dynamic, lateral - 12 μm/mN
Stylus type - Nude Fine Line on Alu cantilever
Stylus tip radius - r/R 8/40
Tracking force range – 2.2-2.7 g (22-27 mN)
Tracking force recommended – 2.5 g (25 mN)
Tracking angle - 20º
Internal impedance, DC resistance - 5 Ohm
Recommended load impedance - 50-500 Ohm
Cartridge body materia - Stainless steel Aluminium
Cartridge colour - Red/Black
Cartridge weight – 10.7 g

Product Warranty

1 Year

Parts & Labor

Ortofon Warranty Information

"The design team at Ortofon has done a splendid job voicing the Cadenza Red, and creating a cartridge that is inviting and easy to listen to, yet capable of presenting the entire palette of shading and texture that may be captured in a recording. This cartridge is a wonderful find for those hobbyists who value an emotionally involving listening experience, where the highlights are tone, harmonic density, and a rich presentation. When you look at the fierce battles that are waged in the $1200 cartridge weight class, the Cadenza Red is right there at the front of the pack, and worth every dollar of its selling price."

- John Hoffman, Positive Feedback, August 2, 2016

"From the start, the Cadenza Red dispensed an air of calm. It was tonally neutral, with a smooth and natural mid and treble.”

"Bass was accurate, extended and open-sounding, helping the cartridge's ability to offer realistic stereo perspectives.”

- Hi-fi News, July 2012

"I was quite surprised at the detail and sophistication of the first in line Ortofon Cadenza (Red) moving coil. ...it does extract a ton of detail and shades the detail with expression and accurate dynamics.”

As audiophiles we're always looking for the proverbial veil lifting in front of the stage. The Red did just that. More importantly, the cartridge has a very sweet disposition. All carts add their own voices, and some, too many. The sweetness here is tactile. Massed violins had weight and sheen, and a presence that only well designed analogue allows.”

Bass was emphatic. Deep and with the resonances that make it such a satisfying musical component.”

The midrange is always the most elusive to capture, especially voices... The balance is right on so many of their carts. The Red is wonderfully in balance, nothing jars,nothing compresses. You'll get the air and the musical presence.”

I really like this cartridge. For the price, a favourite moving coil.”

- Anthony Kershaw, Audiophilia, May 2016