Ortofon
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Specs
| Type | Moving coil (MC) phono cartridge, MC Quintet Series |
| Series | Quintet |
| Stylus profile | Nude elliptical diamond |
| Output level | Low output (requires MC input or step-up transformer) |
| Output voltage | 0.5 mV at 1 kHz, 5cm/sec |
| Channel separation | > 21 dB at 1 kHz |
| Channel balance | < 1.5 dB at 1 kHz |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz, +/- 2.5 dB |
| Tracking ability at 315 Hz | 70 µm |
| Compliance, dynamic, lateral | 15 µm/mN |
| Stylus type | Nude Elliptical |
| Stylus tip radius | r/R 8/18 µm |
| Cantilever material | Aluminium |
| Tracking force range | 2.1-2.5 g |
| Tracking force, recommended | 2.3 g |
| Tracking angle | 20° |
| Internal impedance, DC resistance | 7 Ohm |
| Recommended load impedance | > 20 Ohm |
| Coil wire material | Pure 4-nines silver |
| Cartridge body material | PC |
| Cartridge colour | Blue |
| Cartridge weight | 9 g |
| Replacement stylus | None - Ortofon states “The styli in Moving Coil cartridges are non-replaceable.” Ortofon Exchange Service instead buys the cartridge back for 25% of the current price list against a new Ortofon cartridge of equivalent or better model, through participating Ortofon Authorised HiFi Dealers. |
Warranty
Sold as an authorized Ortofon dealer by All Elite Audio. New Ortofon MC Quintet Blue 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 Quintet Blue moving coil cartridge
- Mounting hardware
- Stylus brush
- Alignment and setup documentation
Overview
The Ortofon MC Quintet Blue is a low output moving coil phono cartridge that sits above the Quintet Red within Ortofon's Quintet series. As a moving coil design, it uses lightweight coils that move within a fixed magnetic field, an approach that favors low moving mass and fast, detailed tracing of the record groove. Because its output is low, it requires a phono stage with a moving coil (MC) input or a step-up transformer feeding a standard moving magnet input.
Central to the Quintet Blue's character is its nude elliptical diamond stylus, which reads the groove with precision while maintaining an even, musical balance. The Quintet body is engineered for rigidity and consistent alignment, giving the cartridge stable performance across a range of quality tonearms. The result is a clean, open presentation with good detail retrieval and a natural sense of space that suits a wide variety of music.
The Quintet Blue is aimed at the listener stepping up into moving coil playback who wants the refinement and resolution the technology is known for, paired with a well-sorted turntable and an MC-capable phono stage. It rewards careful setup and a system built to reveal its strengths.
Key Features
- Low output moving coil design from Ortofon's Quintet series
- Positioned above the Quintet Red within the Quintet range
- Nude elliptical diamond stylus for precise, refined groove tracing
- Requires a phono stage with a moving coil (MC) input or a step-up transformer
- Rigid Quintet body engineered for stable, consistent alignment
- Clean, open sound with strong detail retrieval and natural imaging
- Suited to quality tonearms across a range of turntables
- Built by Ortofon, a Danish phono cartridge specialist founded in 1918
How the Quintet Blue Compares
Ortofon MC Quintet Blue vs Ortofon MC Quintet Bronze
The Quintet Bronze sits above the Blue in the same range and steps up to a more advanced stylus profile for finer detail retrieval and additional resolution. The Blue delivers the core Quintet character with its nude elliptical stylus at a more accessible point in the range. Choose the Bronze if you want more from the same family and have a system to reveal it, or the Blue for a refined, well-balanced entry into Ortofon moving coil. See the Ortofon MC Quintet Bronze.
Ortofon MC Quintet Blue vs Ortofon MC Quintet Red
The Quintet Red is the entry point of the Quintet moving coil range and shares the family's design goals. The Blue steps up above it within the same series, offering a nude elliptical stylus for cleaner, more precise tracing. If you are just entering moving coil playback the Red is the starting point, while the Blue rewards a slightly more resolving system. See the Ortofon MC Quintet Red.
Ortofon MC Quintet Blue vs Ortofon MC Quintet Mono
The Quintet Mono is a dedicated cartridge built specifically for mono LP records, while the Quintet Blue is a stereo cartridge for standard stereo pressings. If your collection is primarily mono records the Mono is purpose-built for that job, whereas the Blue is the right choice for everyday stereo listening. See the Ortofon MC Quintet Mono.
Ortofon MC Quintet Blue vs Ortofon MC X20
The MC X20 comes from Ortofon's easy-mounting MC X range, designed to simplify installation while delivering moving coil performance. The Quintet Blue takes the more traditional Quintet approach with a rigid body and nude elliptical stylus. Both are low output moving coil designs needing an MC input; the choice comes down to fit, mounting preference, and system character. See the Ortofon MC X20.
Recommended Turntable and Phono Stage
The Quintet Blue is a low output moving coil cartridge, so it needs a solid turntable and a phono stage with a moving coil (MC) input. These catalog components pair well with its resolution and level.
- Audio-Technica AT-LPW40WN Turntable A fully manual belt-drive turntable with a proper tonearm that suits the weight and level of the Quintet Blue, giving the cartridge a stable, well-damped platform.
- Audio-Technica AT-LP140XP Turntable A professional direct-drive deck with a robust tonearm, offering speed stability and rigidity that let the Quintet Blue's detail come through cleanly.
- Parasound XRM Phono Preamplifier A dedicated phono stage with a moving coil input, providing the gain and loading the low output Quintet Blue needs to perform at its best.
- MoFi UltraPhono Pro MM/MC Phono Preamplifier An MM/MC phono preamplifier with adjustable settings, making it a flexible match for the Quintet Blue's moving coil output.
- Luxman E-250 Phono Preamplifier A refined phono stage with moving coil support, well suited to drawing out the natural, detailed presentation the Quintet Blue is capable of.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MC Quintet Blue a moving coil or moving magnet cartridge?
It is a low output moving coil (MC) cartridge from Ortofon's Quintet series.
Do I need a special phono stage for the Quintet Blue?
Yes. Because it is 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 moving magnet input.
What stylus does the Quintet Blue use?
It uses a nude elliptical diamond stylus for precise, refined tracing of the record groove.
Where does the Quintet Blue sit in the Quintet range?
It sits above the Quintet Red within the Quintet moving coil series.
Can I use the Quintet Blue with a standard MM phono input?
Not directly. You would need a step-up transformer feeding the MM input, or you can use a phono stage with a dedicated MC input.
Is the Quintet Blue good for a listener new to moving coil?
Yes. It is a refined entry into moving coil playback for someone ready to pair it with a quality turntable and an MC-capable phono stage.
Can the Quintet Blue play mono records?
It is a stereo cartridge for standard stereo pressings. For a mono-only collection, the dedicated Quintet Mono is purpose-built for that job.
What turntables pair well with the Quintet Blue?
Decks with a well-sorted tonearm suited to its level and weight work best, such as the Audio-Technica AT-LPW40WN or the AT-LP140XP from our catalog.
What phono preamplifier should I use with it?
Choose one with a moving coil input, such as the Parasound XRM, the MoFi UltraPhono Pro, or the Luxman E-250.
How does the Quintet Blue compare to the Quintet Bronze?
The Bronze sits above the Blue in the same range and steps up to a more advanced stylus for finer detail, while the Blue offers the core Quintet character with its nude elliptical stylus.
How does the Quintet Blue compare to the Quintet Red?
The Red is the entry point of the range, and the Blue steps up above it with a nude elliptical stylus for cleaner, more precise tracing.
What kind of sound does the Quintet Blue deliver?
It offers a clean, open presentation with strong detail retrieval and a natural sense of space that suits a wide variety of music.
Does the Quintet Blue require careful setup?
Yes. Like most moving coil cartridges it rewards careful alignment and a properly matched tonearm and phono stage.
Can I mount the Quintet Blue myself?
It ships with mounting hardware and setup documentation. Careful alignment is recommended, and our team can assist if you prefer professional setup.
Who makes the Quintet Blue?
It is made by Ortofon, a Danish phono cartridge specialist founded in 1918 and one of the world's leading cartridge makers.
Is the Quintet Blue compatible with an integrated amplifier?
Yes, provided the integrated amplifier has a phono stage with a moving coil input, or you add an external MC phono stage or step-up transformer.
What is the difference between the Quintet Blue and the MC X20?
The MC X20 belongs to Ortofon's easy-mounting MC X range, while the Quintet Blue uses the traditional Quintet body approach. Both are low output moving coil designs; the choice comes down to fit and character.
What is included in the box?
The cartridge, mounting hardware, a stylus brush, and alignment and setup documentation.
What warranty does the Quintet Blue carry?
It is covered by Ortofon's 1 year parts and labor warranty for the original owner when purchased from an authorized dealer.
Why buy from All Elite Audio?
All Elite Audio is an authorized Ortofon dealer, so your cartridge is genuine and fully warranty-backed. Our team can help you match the Quintet Blue to the right turntable and MC phono stage for your system.
