Ortofon Cadenza Bronze MC Cartridge
Cadenza Series
The Cadenza Series of high-end Moving Coil (MC) cartridges was born out of the success of Ortofon's Kontrapunkt and MC Jubilee models. Though these models are amongst the most popular Ortofon has ever produced, the Danish cartridge masters still decided to develop a new range that was even more ambitious.
The name Cadenza comes from the Italian word for cadence, and refers to the section in a concert where the orchestra stops playing, leaving the soloist to play alone in free time without a strict, regular pulse. A Cadenza can be written or improvised, but it's usually the most elaborate and virtuosic part the solo instrument plays during the whole piece. It therefore seemed fitting that such a capable and nuanced cartridge series should use the same name.
By carefully implementing cobalt-iron pole pieces, using new improved winding processes on the armature, and employing an extruded aluminium housing - amongst other changes - the Cadenza Series is able to out-perform all those that came before it. Like other modern ranges, the Cadenza Series is structured in Ortofon's preferred colour-tier nomenclature; so there are Red, Blue, Bronze, Black and Mono (White) variants available to suit varying budgets and tastes.
As with all modern Ortofon ranges, the third cartridge in the Cadenza Series is the Bronze model. The Cadenza Bronze is a premium cartridge that boasts a Replicant 100 stylus and a conical aluminium cantilever. The coil wire used is the famous Ortofon Aucurum wire, which is a gold-plated version of the popular 6NX copper wire. A Field Stabilizing Element (FSE) is used for optimal linearity, especially during complex crescendo passages, making this cartridge perfect for classical genres.
The Cadenza Bronze is a true high-end reference cartridge, conveying music with supreme precision, impact and dynamics. Its stereo imaging capabilities illuminate the farthest corners of the soundstage in all three dimensions, creating an uncompromising, involving performance.
Key Features:
- Stereo imaging capabilities illuminate the farthest corners of the soundstage in all three dimensions
- More details and resolution but in a very evenhanded way that pays respect to all elements
- Internal coils from the famous Ortofon Aucurum wire, which is a gold plated 6NX copper wire
- Stainless steel aluminium cartridge body
- Replicant 100 stylus profile with conical aluminium cantilever
Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. - 0,4 mV
Channel balance at 1 kHz - < 1 dB
Channel separation at 1 kHz - > 24 dB
Channel separation at 15 kHz - > 20 dB
Frequency range at - 3dB - 20 - 55 kHz
Frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz - +/-1,5
Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force *) - 80 µm
Compliance, dynamic, lateral - 12 µm/mN
Stylus type - Nude Ortofon Replicant on conical alu cantilever
Stylus tip radius - r/R 5/100 µm
Tracking force range - 2,2-2,7 g (22-27 mN)
Tracking force, recommended - 2,5 g (25 mN)
*) Typical value
Tracking angle - 23°
Internal impedance, DC resistance - 5 Ohm
Recommended load impedance - 50-200 Ohm
Cartridge body material - Stainless steel / Aluminium
Cartridge colour - Bronze/Black
Cartridge weight - 10,7 gram