Ortofon
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Specs
| Type | Moving coil (low output) |
| Series | Cadenza (reference, wide-body) |
| Coil Wire | Aucurum |
| Key Technology | Field Stabilizing Element |
| Phono Input Required | Moving coil (MC) input or step-up transformer |
| Character | Rich and refined |
Warranty
Sold as an authorized Ortofon dealer by All Elite Audio. New Ortofon MC Cadenza Bronze units include the full Ortofon manufacturer warranty of 1 year parts and labor for the original owner. Contact us with any setup or service questions.
What's in the Box
- Ortofon MC Cadenza Bronze moving coil cartridge
- Mounting hardware
- Stylus brush
- Alignment and setup documentation
Overview
The Ortofon MC Cadenza Bronze is a low output moving coil phono cartridge that sits in the reference Cadenza series above the Cadenza Blue. It is built on Ortofon's wide-body Cadenza platform and pairs the Field Stabilizing Element with Aucurum coil wire, a gold and copper alloy that shapes the cartridge's tonal signature. The result is a presentation widely described as rich and refined, with body and warmth that draw listeners into the performance.
As a low output design, the Cadenza Bronze requires a phono stage with a dedicated moving coil (MC) input, or a step-up transformer feeding a moving magnet input. The Field Stabilizing Element helps maintain a consistent magnetic field around the coils and armature, which supports stable tracking and low distortion across the full frequency range. Ortofon, a Danish specialist founded in 1918, engineers each Cadenza model with a distinct voicing goal rather than as a simple step up or down in quality.
This cartridge suits the analog listener with a capable turntable and tonearm who wants a musical, tonally generous character from a reference series moving coil. It rewards a well matched arm and a phono stage with adjustable MC loading, and it will happily anchor a serious vinyl front end.
Key Features
- Low output moving coil design in the reference Cadenza series, positioned above the Cadenza Blue
- Wide-body Cadenza chassis for rigidity and stable mounting geometry
- Aucurum gold and copper alloy coil wire that shapes its rich, refined voicing
- Field Stabilizing Element for a consistent magnetic field and low distortion
- Voiced for a warm, full-bodied and musical presentation
- Requires a moving coil phono input or a step-up transformer into an MM stage
- Reference-level tracking stability for demanding tonearms
- Built by Ortofon, a Danish phono cartridge specialist founded in 1918
How the Cadenza Bronze Compares
Ortofon MC Cadenza Bronze vs Ortofon MC Cadenza Black
The Cadenza Black sits above the Bronze in the same reference wide-body series. It represents a higher tier in the Cadenza range and may offer greater resolution and detail retrieval. Choose the Bronze if you are drawn to its rich, refined and tonally generous character, and consider the Black if you want to move further up the Cadenza ladder. See the Ortofon MC Cadenza Black.
Ortofon MC Cadenza Bronze vs Ortofon MC Cadenza Blue
The Cadenza Blue sits directly below the Bronze in the reference series and shares the same wide-body platform with the Field Stabilizing Element. The Blue is voiced toward a clean, open and neutral presentation, while the Bronze leans into a warmer, fuller and more refined character. Pick the one whose tonal balance best matches your system and taste. See the Ortofon MC Cadenza Blue.
Ortofon MC Cadenza Bronze vs Ortofon MC Cadenza Mono
The Cadenza Mono is a dedicated mono cartridge from the same reference series, built specifically for mono LP records. The Bronze is a stereo cartridge for standard stereo playback. If your collection is primarily mono pressings, the Mono is purpose-built for that job, while the Bronze is the choice for everyday stereo listening. See the Ortofon MC Cadenza Mono.
Ortofon MC Cadenza Bronze vs Audio Technica AT-ART9XA
The AT-ART9XA is a low output moving coil from Audio Technica's dual moving coil design lineage. It offers a different engineering approach and voicing goal than the Ortofon wide-body Cadenza platform. Both are reference-grade MC cartridges, so the choice comes down to which tonal character and design philosophy suits your ears and system. See the Audio Technica AT-ART9XA.
Recommended Turntable and Phono Stage
The Cadenza Bronze is a low output moving coil, so build around a capable turntable and tonearm plus a phono stage with a proper moving coil input. Ortofon makes only cartridges, so these catalog components complete the front end.
- MoFi UltraDeck Turntable A resolving belt-drive deck with a well-damped plinth and quality tonearm that suits a reference moving coil cartridge like the Cadenza Bronze.
- TEAC TN-5BB Turntable A rigid manual belt-drive turntable with a capable arm, giving the wide-body Cadenza a stable and controlled platform to track cleanly.
- Parasound JC3+ Phono Preamplifier A reference phono stage with a dedicated moving coil input and adjustable loading, ideal for extracting the rich, refined character of a low output MC.
- Luxman E-250 Phono Preamplifier Offers a flexible MC input with loading options, a natural match for the Cadenza Bronze that lets you fine-tune its warm tonal balance.
- TEAC PE-505 Phono Amplifier A fully balanced phono stage with a low-noise moving coil input and adjustable settings, well suited to a reference low output cartridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MC Cadenza Bronze a moving coil or moving magnet cartridge?
It is a low output moving coil cartridge in Ortofon's reference Cadenza series.
Do I need a special phono stage for the Cadenza Bronze?
Yes. Because it is a low output moving coil design, it needs a phono stage with a moving coil (MC) input, or a step-up transformer feeding a moving magnet input.
Where does the Cadenza Bronze sit in the Cadenza range?
It sits above the Cadenza Blue and below the Cadenza Black within the reference wide-body Cadenza series.
What is the Field Stabilizing Element?
It is an Ortofon technology that helps maintain a consistent magnetic field around the coils and armature, supporting stable tracking and low distortion.
What is Aucurum coil wire?
Aucurum is a gold and copper alloy coil wire Ortofon uses in the Cadenza Bronze, which contributes to its tonal signature.
How would you describe the Cadenza Bronze sound?
It is known for a rich and refined character, with body and warmth in its presentation.
Can I use the Cadenza Bronze with a moving magnet phono input?
Only if you add a step-up transformer between the cartridge and the MM input. Directly into an MM stage it will not have enough output.
What is the difference between the Cadenza Bronze and the Cadenza Blue?
They share the same wide-body platform, but the Blue is voiced toward a clean and neutral presentation while the Bronze leans warmer, fuller and more refined.
What is the difference between the Cadenza Bronze and the Cadenza Black?
The Black sits above the Bronze in the same reference series and may offer more resolution, while the Bronze is chosen for its rich, refined voicing.
Is the Cadenza Bronze suitable for mono records?
It is a stereo cartridge. For mono LP records specifically, the dedicated Cadenza Mono is the purpose-built option.
What kind of turntable should I use with the Cadenza Bronze?
A capable deck with a well-matched tonearm, such as the MoFi UltraDeck or TEAC TN-5BB, gives this reference cartridge the stability it needs.
Does the Cadenza Bronze require a specific tonearm mass?
Match it to a tonearm appropriate for a wide-body reference moving coil. Consult the setup documentation and your arm's specifications for optimal loading and mass matching.
Can an integrated amplifier work with the Cadenza Bronze?
Yes, if the integrated amplifier includes a built-in phono stage with a moving coil input, or if you add an external MC phono preamplifier.
Does the Cadenza Bronze come pre-mounted on a headshell?
No. It is a standard cartridge that you mount and align on your tonearm.
Who is the Cadenza Bronze best for?
The analog listener with a serious turntable and MC-capable phono stage who wants a musical, tonally generous reference cartridge.
What phono stage do you recommend for the Cadenza Bronze?
Options with adjustable moving coil loading such as the Parasound JC3+, Luxman E-250 or TEAC PE-505 all pair well with this cartridge.
Is Ortofon a reputable cartridge maker?
Yes. Ortofon is a Danish specialist founded in 1918 and is one of the world's leading phono cartridge makers.
How long is the warranty on the Cadenza Bronze?
It carries a one year parts and labor warranty from Ortofon for the original owner.
Will the Cadenza Bronze work with a step-up transformer?
Yes. A step-up transformer into a moving magnet input is a valid way to run this low output moving coil cartridge.
Why buy from All Elite Audio?
All Elite Audio is an authorized Ortofon dealer in MD, so your Cadenza Bronze is genuine, fully backed by the manufacturer warranty, and supported by expert setup guidance.
