Description
Nothing demonstrates Ortofon’s long-standing resilience more than its commitment to the refinement of analogue sound quality and its continued development of new cartridge models. Since 1948 Ortofon has introduced about 100 different Moving Coil models. We believe the cartridges in this new series are more than worthy successors to the long line of models that has made Ortofon the global leader in the manufacture and supply of phono cartridges. It is our aim to bring our customers many hours of new and surprising experiences in listening to their precious vinyl collection.
The MC Quintet Series is congruent with Ortofon’s unrelenting commitment to providing the most precise and accurate reproduction possible without coloration. A special ABS (Acrylonitrile/Butadiene/Styrene) thermoplastic material is used for manufacturing of the body. This light-weight, impact resistant material is very suitable for injection-moulding and provides a very durable scratch resistant surface. Neodymium magnets are implemented to achieve an optimal output. Low internal impedance makes the cartridge less sensitive to load and therefore ensures compatibility with the widest range of preamps and transformers.
Each of the five Quintet Series cartridges has its own individual sonic expression, and all five models together represent the ensemble of five classic variations:
- MC Quintet Mono is a true mono cartridge for playing mono microgroove vinyl records
- MC Quintet Red is an all-purpose cartridge that delivers open, dynamic sound with a slight touch of warmth
- MC Quintet Blue adds more dynamics and resolution, sounds more open and reproduces more details
- MC Quintet Bronze adds even more details and resolution but in a very evenhanded way that pays respect to all elements
- MC Quintet Black S is the best of everything, true to the groove with resolution and accurate insight into each recording
Top-mounting of the Quintet cartridges is easy and secure using the screws supplied. The aluminum frame has threaded mounting holes and is fitted easily with the 5mm or 7mm screws depending on the thickness of the headshell. The Quintet series’ right angles, straight lines, stylus visibility and ample distance between the record surface and the cartridge’s bottom will make it easy to mount and align the cartridge and tonearm correctly. The Quintet Series gives excellent results with most common tonearms.
Resources
Quintet Red
The Quintet Red is a perfect introduction to the world of Ortofon moving coils. It features an Elliptical diamond which is cut and polished to Ortofon’s standards. This entry-level MC cartridge has very high price-to-performance ratio and is a perfect all-rounder for the newcomers to the world of Moving Coil cartridges. MC Quintet Red is an all-purpose cartridge that delivers open, dynamic sound with a slight touch of warmth.
Output voltage at 1 kHz 5 cm/sec – 0.5 mV
Channel balance – < 1.5 dB
Channel separation at 1 kHz – > 21 dB
Channel separation at 15 kHz – > 14 dB
Frequency response 20-20.000 Hz – +/-2.5 dB
Tracking ability at 315 Hz at recommended tracking force *) – 65 μm
Compliance, dynamic, lateral – 15 μm/mN
Stylus type – Elliptical
Stylus tip radius – r/R 8/18 μm
Tracking force range – 2.1-2.5 g (21-25 mN)
Tracking force recommended – 2.3 g (23 mN)
Tracking angle – 20º
Internal impedance, DC resistance – 7 Ohm
Recommended load impedance – >20 Ohm
Cartridge body material – ABS/Aluminium
Coil wire material – Copper
Cartridge colour – Red
Cartridge weight – 9 g
Quintet Blue
The Quintet Blue’s sound image will tend to more smooth reproduction compared to Quintet Red and moderate dynamic strength compared to Quintet Bronze. It features a Nude Elliptical diamond mounted on an aluminium cantilever. The Quintet Blue will bring more space, depth and detail into the sound and is a very good choice for any kind of music, especially rhythmic.
Output voltage at 1 kHz 5 cm/sec – 0.5 mV
Channel balance – < 1.5 dB
Channel separation at 1 kHz – > 21 dB
Channel separation at 15 kHz – > 14 dB
Frequency response 20-20.000 Hz – +/-2.5 dB
Tracking ability at 315 Hz at recommended tracking force *) – 70 μm
Compliance, dynamic, lateral – 15 μm/mN
Stylus type – Nude Elliptical
Stylus tip radius – r/R 8/18 μm
Tracking force range – 2.1-2.5 g (21-25 mN)
Tracking force recommended – 2.3 g (23 mN)
Tracking angle – 20º
Internal impedance, DC resistance – 7 Ohm
Recommended load impedance – >20 Ohm
Cartridge body material – ABS/Aluminium
Coil wire material – Pure 4-nines silver
Cartridge colour – Blue
Cartridge weight – 9 g
Quintet Bronze
The slim profile of its Nude Fine Line diamond stylus will track even the highest frequency information, making it a must for discerning listeners. Additionally its larger footprint ensures reduced distortion and record wear. The sound will be very evenhanded with respect to all aspects. Classical music will be reproduced with power and open space around each of the instruments.
Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. – 0.3 mV
Channel balance at 1 kHz – < 1.2 dB
Channel separation at 1 kHz – > 23 dB
Channel separation at 15 kHz – > 15 dB
Frequency response 20-20.000 Hz – +/-1.5 dB
Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force *) – 80 µm
Compliance, dynamic, lateral – 15 µm/mN
Stylus type – Nude Fine Line
Stylus tip radius – r/R 8/40 µm
Tracking force range – 2.1-2.5 g (21-25 mN)
Tracking force, recommended – 2.3 g (23 mN)
Tracking angle – 20°
Internal impedance, DC resistance – 5 Ohm
Recommended load impedance – > 20 Ohm
Cartridge body material – ABS/Aluminium
Coil wire material – Pure 4-nines copper
Cartridge colour – Bronze
Cartridge weight – 9 gram
Quintet Black S
The Quintet Black S is graced with a Nude Shibata diamond, considered one of the best stylus profiles available, mounted on a high-performance Sapphire cantilever. The Shibata’s slim, highly polished profile allows an exceedingly wide contact area to the walls of the groove and ensures detailed and pure reproduction throughout the spectrum, including even the most high frequency groove information.
Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. – 0.3 mV
Channel balance at 1 kHz – < 1.0 dB
Channel separation at 1 kHz – > 23 dB
Channel separation at 15 kHz – > 15 dB
Frequency response 20-20.000 Hz – +/- 1.5 dB
Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force *) – 80 µm
Compliance, dynamic, lateral – 15 µm/mN
Stylus type – Nude Shibata on Sapphire cantilever
Stylus tip radius – r/R 6/50 µm
Tracking force range – 2.1-2.5 g (21-25 mN)
Tracking force, recommended – 2.3 g (23 mN)
Quintet Mono
It features Nude Elliptical r/R 8/18µm stylus that is a good solution for playing mono microgroove vinyl records. The Quintet Mono will track perfectly through even worn and damaged records and ensure the surface noise control. Quintet Mono uses a strapped output to deliver the same output signal from both sets of pole pins. This effectively eliminates the need for mono-specific equipment, making it possible to enjoy true mono reproduction on any stereo playback system. MC Quintet Mono is for playing mono microgroove vinyl records.
Output voltage at 1 kHz 5 cm/sec – 0.3 mV
Frequency response 20 Hz – 20 kHz – +/-2.0 dB
Tracking ability at 315 Hz at recommended tracking force *) – 70 μm
Compliance, dynamic, lateral – 15 μm/mN
Stylus type – Nude Elliptical
Stylus tip radius – r/R 8/18 μm
Tracking force range – 2.1-2.5 g (21-25 mN)
Tracking force recommended – 2.3 g (23 mN)
Tracking angle – 20º
Internal impedance, DC resistance – 5 Ohm
Recommended load impedance – >20 Ohm
Cartridge body material – ABS/Aluminium
Coil wire material – Pure 4-nines silver/Ag
Cartridge colour – White
Cartridge weight – 9 g
