Ortofon Concorde Music

The Cartridge That Arrives Already Aligned

Ortofon built the original Concorde to solve one problem: mounting a cartridge without screws, wires or a protractor. Body and headshell are one piece. It clips onto the arm and it is set.

The Concorde Music range brings that shape into hi-fi. Five models share one body and one generator, and they are separated only by the diamond on the end. Choose your model from the options on this page.

Five Steps, One Body

Red carries an elliptical diamond. Blue steps up to a nude elliptical. Bronze moves to a nude Fine Line, and Black to a nude Shibata. Black LVB 250 keeps the Shibata and swaps the aluminum cantilever for boron.

Why the Output Figure Matters Here

Every model puts out 6 mV. That is high for a moving magnet cartridge, and it is deliberate. The generator comes from Ortofon's DJ range rather than its hi-fi line, and it carries the split pole pins used across the 2M series.

A strong signal is easier for a phono stage to handle. It matches more moving magnet inputs, and it leaves less room for noise to creep in ahead of your amplifier.

Numbers You Will Use at Setup

Track every model at 1.8 grams. Frequency response runs 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Each weighs 18 grams with the headshell. That is heavier than a bare cartridge, so check it against your arm.

What Reviewers Are Saying

David Price, reviewing the Bronze for StereoNET in February 2025, found the generator "is unique in Ortofon's HiFi range because it's based on the DJ range's design – meaning it puts out an unusually high 6mV." It won an Applause Award.

Paul Rigby of The Audiophile Man, writing on the Red in August 2024, confirmed the shared platform: "Each of these cartridges use the same cartridge body and generator system, so you can upgrade the stylus when you have the funds."

Who Is This Phono Cartridge Best For?

• You would rather not align a cartridge — body and headshell are one piece, so there is no overhang to set and no protractor to borrow
• You want to upgrade in stages — every model shares one body, so you can fit a finer diamond later without disturbing your alignment
• Your phono stage is built into an amplifier — 6 mV is a strong moving magnet output, which suits a modest built-in stage better than a quieter cartridge
• You swap between decks — a Concorde lifts off and clips on in seconds, so one cartridge serves two turntables with no realignment
• You need a complete cartridge, not a replacement diamond — this page sells both. Plain color options are complete cartridges. Codes ending in S are replacement styli, for a body you already own. Check before ordering

How Does It Connect to Your System?

The Concorde replaces the headshell as well as the cartridge. It fits any tonearm with an SME-type bayonet fitting, the detachable headshell collar found on most Japanese arms. Twist the collar off, clip the Concorde on, tighten.

Set tracking force to 1.8 grams and anti-skate to match. From there the arm cable runs to any moving magnet phono input, built into your amplifier or standing on its own.

Pairs Well With

A cartridge is one part of the chain. These are the categories that make the most of it:

• Turntables — decks with a detachable headshell
• Phono Preamplifiers — for amplifiers without a phono input
• Record Cleaning Accessories — clean grooves keep a diamond honest
• Turntable Accessories — scales and gauges for tracking force

Frequently Asked Questions

Which options are cartridges and which are styli?

The plain color options are complete cartridges, ready to fit. Options whose codes end in S are replacement styli, meant for a Concorde body you already own. Pick a plain color if this is your first Concorde.

Will a Concorde fit my turntable?

It fits arms with an SME-type bayonet fitting, which is the detachable headshell collar. An arm with a fixed headshell takes a conventional half-inch cartridge instead.

What separates the five models?

Only the diamond and the cantilever. Red is elliptical, Blue nude elliptical, Bronze nude Fine Line, Black nude Shibata. Black LVB 250 pairs the Shibata with a boron cantilever.

Can I change the stylus myself?

Yes. The stylus pulls off the front of the body and the replacement pushes on. Because the body stays on the arm, your alignment and tracking force stay exactly as you set them.

What tracking force should I use?

Ortofon recommends 1.8 grams across the range, so the setting stays the same whichever diamond you fit. A basic stylus scale is all you need to set it.

Do I need a moving coil phono stage?

Use the moving magnet input. Every Concorde Music model is a moving magnet design putting out 6 mV, which is far more than a moving coil stage expects to see.

See It in Action

Ortofon introduces the Concorde Music range:

VinilicaMente compares all five models in turn, in Italian with English subtitles:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about cartridge alignment, phono stage matching, or record care? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.