Ortofon MC Cadenza Black Phono Cartridge - Black

Recommended Component 2024 – Stereophile

What You Need to Know

Ortofon’s Most Revealing Cadenza Cartridge

The Ortofon MC Cadenza Black is the flagship of the Cadenza Series. It’s built to uncover the smallest musical details while keeping the sound smooth, natural, and lifelike.

From the quietest background instruments to the biggest orchestral crescendos, the Cadenza Black lets you hear more of what’s in the groove.

Shibata Stylus for Maximum Detail

The Cadenza Black uses a Nude Shibata diamond stylus mounted on a boron cantilever. This lightweight, rigid combination follows the record groove with remarkable precision.

You’ll hear cleaner high frequencies, tighter bass, and more space around voices and instruments. The larger contact area also reduces distortion and helps minimize record wear.

Advanced Moving Coil Technology

Inside is Ortofon’s low-mass moving coil generator wound with high-purity 6NX oxygen-free copper wire. The lightweight moving system responds instantly to the tiny changes in the groove.

The result is exceptional transparency, fast dynamics, and an expansive stereo image that makes recordings sound more realistic.

Built for Reference Systems

The Cadenza Black is designed for serious analog systems with a high-quality moving coil phono preamp or step-up transformer. When carefully aligned, it rewards you with reference-level performance that can transform your vinyl listening experience.

Building Your System

• Turntables – Best matched with high-performance turntables and precision tonearms.
• Phono Preamp – Requires a moving coil (MC) phono input or compatible step-up transformer.
• Setup – Precise alignment and tracking force adjustment help the cartridge perform at its best.

Features & Specifications

Nude Shibata Diamond Stylus

Retrieves exceptional detail while reducing distortion and groove wear.

Boron Cantilever

Lightweight and extremely rigid for faster response and more accurate tracking.

Low-Mass Moving Coil Generator

Produces outstanding clarity, dynamics, and stereo imaging.

Hand-Assembled Construction

Carefully built and tested to meet Ortofon’s highest quality standards.

Specifications

• Type: Moving Coil (MC)
• Stylus: Nude Shibata Diamond
• Cantilever: Boron
• Coil Wire: 6NX Oxygen-Free Copper
• Output: 0.33mV
• Mounting: Standard ½-inch

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Cadenza Black different from the Cadenza Bronze?

The Black replaces the Bronze’s Replicant 100 stylus and aluminum cantilever with a Shibata stylus on a boron cantilever, providing even greater detail, refinement, and tracking performance.

Do I need a moving coil phono preamp?

Yes. The Cadenza Black requires an MC phono stage or a compatible step-up transformer.

Who is the Cadenza Black for?

It’s designed for experienced vinyl listeners who want the highest level of performance in the Cadenza Series.

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