Ortofon Cadenza Blue

Ortofon HiFi CADENZA BLUE

Reviews:

'Outstanding Product' in Hi-Fi News, March 2010.

'Outstanding Product' in Hi-Fi News, Yearbook 2010.

Awarded 5 Globes in Hi-Fi World, August 2009.

The Blue model is using a Nude FG 70 stylus with a very thin ruby cantilever. The improved winding process of the armature ensures better channel balance. The soundstage of Cadenza Blue is wide and open and grandiose out of the box. Micro dynamic and ambience with be evident when listening to complex compositions. It reaches a very high degree of defination in the perspective, which is very present. It is true to the music with a tremendous clarity.

Technical Data

Output voltage at 1 kHz 5cm/sec - 500 µV

Channel balance - <1.2 dB

Channel separation at 1kHz - >23 dB

Channel separation at 15kHz - >15 dB

Frequency range at -3 dB - 20 Hz - 50 kHz

Frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz - +2/-1

Tracking ability at 315 Hz at recommended tracking force * - 80 µm

Compliance, dynamic, lateral - 12 µm/mN

Stylus type - Nude FG 70

Cantilever - Ruby

Stylus tip radius - r/R 6/70

Tracking force range - 2.2 - 2.7g ( 22 - 27 mN )

Tracking force recommended - 2.5g ( 25 mN )

Tracking angle - 20°

Internal impedance, DC resistance - 5 Ohm

Recommended load impedance - 50 - 200 Ohm

Cartridge body material - Stainless steel / Aluminium

Cartridge colour - Blue / Black

Cartridge weight - 10.7g

* Typical value

 

HiFi News, Yearbook 2010

Score: 'Outstanding Product'

Comments of Note:

"...bass seemed very well descriped..."

"...it really was like a breath of fresh air."

"...the Cadenza's bass was particuarly impressive...too, the bass guitar alive and springy, clean and strong."

"...the brass was truly brassy, with excellent detail..."

"...clarity and precision made for a very enjoyable listen."

"The piano had precision and sublety..."

"It looks like Ortofon really has improved on its excellent Kontrapunkts."

 

Hi-Fi News, March 2010

Reviewed by:

Score: 'Outstanding Product'

Comments of Note:

"...the Cadenza Blue replaces the Kontrapunkt B, retaining that beautiful thin ruby cantilever."

"... voice had both depth and warmth, and great delicacy too...this cartridge really seemed able to convey the endless subtleties of shading and nuance..."

"...the subtle feathery edges of the sound adding to its realism."

"...the Cadenza Blue seemed suddenly to bring more ambience and space into the sound..."

"...the Cadenza's bass was particularly impressive...the bass guitar alive and springy, clean and strong."

"...the effect was dynamic and realistic, with great transient attack and a great sense of speed."

"...there was a great punch and clarity to the neatly interlocking guitar parts and you could only marvel at the tightness of the whole thing."

"...clean and quick bass..."

"The piano had precision and subtlety, and seemed to exist in real space."

 

Hi-Fi World, August 2009

Reviewed by: Noel Keywood

Score: 5 Globes

Comments of Note:

This Review was a combined review of both the Cadenza Blue and the Cadenza Bronze:

"...if you want to hear what vinyl can sound like and enjoy the magic of good analogue then this is the starting point..."

"Ortofon are able to make technically near-perfect cartridges, free of blemishes and limitations..."

"...combine beauty with accuracy, a combination that has me enthralled..."

"Both cartridges are, aurally, a fantastic experience."

"They are also supremely even and svelte:the sound stage stretches wide, instruments and singers have vivid life..."

"The Blue was challengingly fast and deeply detailed..."

"The initial impact is hair trigger-fast and the decay of the drum kept dry and controlled...torrent of fine detail...with a sweetness of tone of that only good analogue can manage, I was impressed as ever by this cartridge..."

"The Blue...had striking insight and a vividly fast and detailed delivery..."

"...the Bronze offers a richer and even more musically engaging experience."

"(the Bronze)...has the same beautifully formed bass of the Blue, that is both tight and powerful, a richer lower midband that seemingly knits bass to midrange..."

"I worked through old originals from the 1960s onwards, right up to new recordings and pressings...both cartridges were a great experience."

"Both these new Cadenza cartridges are a fantastic hi-fi experience."

"Yes, they are expensive but if you have the money their sound borders on magically beautiful."