Ortofon
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Specs
| Type | Moving coil |
| Output voltage | 0.5 mV at 1 kHz, 5 cm/s |
| Stylus profile | Nude elliptical |
| Cantilever | Aluminum |
| Recommended tracking force | 2.5 g |
| Internal impedance | 5 ohms |
| Recommended load impedance | 10 to 500 ohms |
| Channel separation at 1 kHz | 22 dB |
| Channel balance at 1 kHz | 1.5 dB |
| Frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Compliance | 12 um/mN |
| Cartridge weight | 10.7 g |
Warranty
Sold as an authorized Ortofon dealer by All Elite Audio. New Ortofon MC Cadenza Red 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 Red moving coil cartridge
- Mounting hardware set
- Stylus brush
- Non-magnetic screwdriver
- Alignment protractor and documentation
Overview
The Ortofon MC Cadenza Red is the entry point to Ortofon's reference Cadenza series, a family of wide-body low output moving coil cartridges built around the same core engineering philosophy. It is voiced warm and lively, giving records an engaging, musically forward character that draws you into the performance. 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 moving magnet input.
The Cadenza platform uses Ortofon's Field Stabilizing Element, a mechanism that stabilizes the magnetic field in the gap so the coil operates in more consistent conditions across the audio band, reducing dynamic distortion. The coils are wound with Aucurum wire, a gold plated 6N high purity copper, and the wide-body construction provides a rigid, low resonance foundation for the generator system. The result is a cartridge that tracks cleanly while preserving tonal warmth and rhythmic drive.
The MC Cadenza Red suits listeners moving up from the Quintet or MC X range who want reference series construction and character at the accessible end of the Cadenza ladder. Pair it with a capable medium mass tonearm and a quality MC phono stage to hear what it can do.
Key Features
- Entry point to Ortofon's reference wide-body Cadenza moving coil series
- Voiced warm and lively for an engaging, musically forward presentation
- Field Stabilizing Element stabilizes the magnetic field to reduce dynamic distortion
- Aucurum coil wire, gold plated 6N high purity copper, for low loss signal transfer
- Low output moving coil requiring an MC phono input or step-up transformer
- Rigid wide-body housing for low resonance and stable tracking
- Nude elliptical stylus on an aluminum cantilever
- Compatible with medium mass tonearms and standard half inch mounting
How the Cadenza Red Compares
Ortofon MC Cadenza Red vs Ortofon MC Cadenza Blue
The Cadenza Blue sits one step up in the same reference range and shares the wide-body construction, Field Stabilizing Element and Aucurum coils. It moves to a more advanced stylus and cantilever specification for greater detail retrieval and refinement. Choose the Red for its warm, lively entry point character and the Blue if you want more resolution higher in the Cadenza ladder. See the Ortofon MC Cadenza Blue.
Ortofon MC Cadenza Red vs Ortofon MC Cadenza Mono
The Cadenza Mono is a dedicated mono cartridge in the same reference series, designed specifically for mono LP records. The Cadenza Red is a stereo cartridge for standard stereo pressings. If your collection is primarily mono, the Mono is the right tool; for general stereo listening, choose the Red. See the Ortofon MC Cadenza Mono.
Ortofon MC Cadenza Red vs Ortofon MC Quintet Black S
The Quintet Black S is a high performer within the more compact Quintet moving coil range, using a Shibata stylus for extended detail. The Cadenza Red brings the reference wide-body chassis, Field Stabilizing Element and Aucurum wire of the Cadenza platform with a warm, lively voicing. Consider the Quintet Black S for its stylus profile in the Quintet body, and the Cadenza Red for reference series construction. See the Ortofon MC Quintet Black S.
Recommended Turntable and Phono Stage
The MC Cadenza Red is a low output moving coil that needs an MC capable phono stage or a step-up transformer. Build around it with a capable turntable and tonearm plus a quality MC phono stage.
- Audio-Technica AT-LP8X Turntable A solid direct-drive turntable that provides stable speed and a compatible half inch tonearm to carry this medium compliance moving coil cartridge.
- TEAC TN-4D-SE Turntable A precise direct-drive deck with a well behaved tonearm that suits the Cadenza Red's tracking force and resolution.
- Parasound JC3+ Phono Preamplifier A high performance phono stage with a dedicated moving coil input and adjustable loading, ideal for extracting the warmth and dynamics of this low output cartridge.
- Luxman E-250 Phono Preamplifier Offers a refined moving coil input with selectable loading, a natural match for the Cadenza Red's lively voicing.
- TEAC PE-505 Phono Amplifier A fully balanced phono amplifier with flexible MC loading and gain to get the most from this reference series moving coil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MC Cadenza Red 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 it?
Yes. It needs a phono stage with a moving coil (MC) input, or a step-up transformer feeding a moving magnet input, because of its low output.
What is the output voltage?
It outputs 0.5 mV at 1 kHz and 5 cm/s, which is typical for a low output moving coil.
Where does the Cadenza Red sit in the Cadenza range?
It is the entry point of the Cadenza range, voiced warm and lively.
What is the Field Stabilizing Element?
It is an Ortofon mechanism that stabilizes the magnetic field in the gap so the coil operates in more consistent conditions, reducing dynamic distortion.
What is Aucurum coil wire?
Aucurum is gold plated 6N high purity copper wire used for the coils to support low loss signal transfer.
What stylus and cantilever does it use?
It uses a nude elliptical stylus mounted on an aluminum cantilever.
What tracking force should I set?
Ortofon recommends a tracking force of 2.5 g. Set it precisely with a stylus force gauge.
What load impedance should I use?
The recommended load is in the range of 10 to 500 ohms, with an internal impedance of 5 ohms.
What tonearm mass suits it?
With a compliance of 12 um/mN it pairs well with medium mass tonearms.
How much does the cartridge weigh?
The cartridge weighs 10.7 g.
Can I use it for mono records?
It is a stereo cartridge. For dedicated mono playback, the Cadenza Mono is the purpose built option.
Does it come premounted on a headshell?
The MC Cadenza Red is supplied as a standard cartridge with mounting hardware and accessories for installation on your tonearm.
How does it compare to the Cadenza Blue?
The Blue sits one step up in the same range with a more advanced stylus and cantilever for greater resolution, while the Red offers the warm, lively entry point character.
What phono stages do you recommend?
Any of the Parasound JC3+, Luxman E-250 or TEAC PE-505 offer MC inputs with adjustable loading that suit this cartridge.
Will it work on my existing turntable?
It uses standard half inch mounting and suits medium mass tonearms, so most quality decks with an MC capable phono stage will work.
What is the channel separation?
Channel separation is 22 dB at 1 kHz, with channel balance of 1.5 dB.
What is the frequency range?
The frequency range is 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Is Ortofon a reputable cartridge maker?
Ortofon is a Danish company founded in 1918 and one of the world's leading phono cartridge makers.
Why buy from All Elite Audio?
All Elite Audio is an authorized Ortofon dealer, so your cartridge is genuine and covered by the manufacturer warranty. We offer expert setup guidance and full support to help you build the right turntable and phono stage system around it.
