Ortofon MC Cadenza Black

Overview

The Ortofon MC Cadenza Black is the flagship of the acclaimed Cadenza series, a reference wide-body low output moving coil cartridge built for listeners who want the most detail and control the range can offer. It pairs a nude Shibata diamond stylus with Ortofon's Field Stabilizing Element, a design that keeps the magnetic conditions around the generator constant to reduce distortion and preserve dynamic linearity. The result is a cartridge tuned for resolution, tight tracing, and a stable soundstage.

Inside, the Cadenza Black uses Aucurum coil wire, a gold plated copper conductor Ortofon employs in its higher references, and a wide-body housing that adds mass and rigidity for a solid, well anchored presentation. As a low output moving coil design, it requires a phono stage with a moving coil (MC) input, or a step-up transformer feeding a standard MM input. The nude Shibata profile digs deep into the groove, retrieving fine high frequency information and inner detail from well pressed records.

This cartridge is aimed at the serious analog enthusiast running a capable turntable and a resolving MC phono stage. If you want the finished, most refined expression of the Cadenza platform and a cartridge that rewards careful setup, the Cadenza Black is the top of the family.

Key Features

• Flagship of the Ortofon Cadenza moving coil series
• Nude Shibata diamond stylus for deep, precise groove tracing
• Field Stabilizing Element keeps magnetic conditions constant for lower distortion
• Aucurum gold plated copper coil wire used in Ortofon's higher references
• Reference wide-body housing for added rigidity and stability
• Low output moving coil design for high resolution and control
• Excellent channel separation and balance for a stable soundstage
• Requires an MC phono input or a step-up transformer feeding an MM input

How the Cadenza Black Compares

Ortofon MC Cadenza Black vs Ortofon MC Cadenza Bronze

The Cadenza Bronze sits one step below the Black in the same wide-body Cadenza family and shares the Field Stabilizing Element and Aucurum coil wire approach. The Black adds the nude Shibata stylus for even deeper groove tracing and finer inner detail, making it the more resolving choice at the top of the range. Choose the Bronze for a warm, refined character, or the Black when you want the most detailed, controlled expression the series offers. See the Ortofon MC Cadenza Bronze.

Ortofon MC Cadenza Black vs Ortofon MC Cadenza Mono

The Cadenza Mono is a dedicated mono moving coil built specifically for mono LP records, while the Cadenza Black is a stereo cartridge for the full range of stereo pressings. If your collection centers on mono reissues and originals, the Mono is purpose built for that task. For a primarily stereo library, the Black is the flagship stereo choice in the family. See the Ortofon MC Cadenza Mono.

Ortofon MC Cadenza Black vs Audio Technica AT-ART20

The AT-ART20 is a dual moving coil design from Audio Technica with its own voicing and construction philosophy. The Cadenza Black takes Ortofon's wide-body approach with the Field Stabilizing Element and a nude Shibata stylus, aiming for a stable, richly detailed presentation. Both are high resolution MC cartridges, so the choice comes down to the sonic character and design goals you prefer. See the Audio Technica AT-ART20.

Recommended Turntable and Phono Stage

The Cadenza Black is a low output moving coil, so it needs a resolving turntable and a phono stage with a moving coil input or a step-up transformer. These catalog components suit its level and requirements.

• Thorens TD 1500 Turntable A sub-chassis belt-drive deck with a refined tonearm that suits a reference cartridge of this weight and resolution, giving the Cadenza Black a stable, low noise platform.
• MoFi UltraDeck Turntable A rigid, well isolated turntable and tonearm that pairs cleanly with a wide-body moving coil, letting the nude Shibata stylus trace the groove without excess vibration.
• Parasound JC3+ Phono Preamplifier A high performance phono stage with a moving coil input and adjustable loading, ideal for setting the recommended 50 to 200 ohm load and extracting the Black's fine detail.
• TEAC PE-505 Phono Amplifier A fully balanced phono amplifier with MC support and flexible loading, well matched to a low output moving coil that benefits from a quiet, precise front end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the MC Cadenza Black a moving magnet or moving coil cartridge?
It is a low output moving coil cartridge, the flagship of the Ortofon Cadenza series.

What phono stage do I need for the Cadenza Black?
You need a phono stage with a moving coil (MC) input, or a step-up transformer feeding a standard MM input, because of its low output.

What is the output voltage?
The Cadenza Black has an output of 0.3 mV at 1 kHz.

What stylus profile does it use?
It uses a nude Shibata diamond stylus for deep, precise groove tracing and fine detail retrieval.

What is the Field Stabilizing Element?
It is an Ortofon design feature that keeps the magnetic conditions around the generator constant, reducing distortion and improving dynamic linearity.

What is Aucurum coil wire?
Aucurum is a gold plated copper conductor Ortofon uses in its higher reference cartridges for the coil windings.

What tracking force should I use?
Ortofon recommends a tracking force of 2.5 g for the Cadenza Black.

What load impedance should I set on my phono stage?
A load impedance in the 50 to 200 ohm range is recommended for the Cadenza Black.

How is the Cadenza Black different from the Cadenza Bronze?
Both share the wide-body design, Field Stabilizing Element, and Aucurum coil wire, but the Black uses a nude Shibata stylus and sits at the top of the series for the most detail and control.

Can I use the Cadenza Black for mono records?
It is a stereo cartridge suitable for stereo LPs. For a collection centered on mono records, the dedicated Ortofon MC Cadenza Mono is purpose built for that use.

What cantilever does it use?
The Cadenza Black uses a boron cantilever.

What is the cartridge weight?
It weighs approximately 10.7 g, which suits a wide range of medium to heavier tonearms.

Does it come premounted on a headshell?
The Cadenza Black is a standard cartridge and is supplied with mounting hardware for installation on your tonearm.

What channel separation does it offer?
Channel separation is 27 dB at 1 kHz with a channel balance of 0.5 dB.

What is the frequency range?
The Cadenza Black covers a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Will it work with any turntable?
It suits a capable turntable and tonearm matched to its weight and resolution. Decks like the Thorens TD 1500 or MoFi UltraDeck are well suited to it.

Do I need a step-up transformer?
You need either a phono stage with a moving coil input or a step-up transformer feeding an MM input. If your phono stage already has a good MC input, no separate transformer is required.

What compliance does the Cadenza Black have?
It has a dynamic compliance of about 16 um/mN, which helps determine tonearm matching.

What warranty does it carry?
The Cadenza Black carries a 1 year parts and labor warranty from Ortofon for the original owner.

Why buy from All Elite Audio?
All Elite Audio is an authorized Ortofon dealer in MD, so your cartridge is genuine and fully backed by the manufacturer warranty. Our team can help you match the Cadenza Black to the right turntable and phono stage for your system.