Ortofon Concorde MKII Elite (Premium System)

The Ortofon Concorde MKII Elite is the flagship of the Concorde MKII line – a premium moving magnet cartridge with a bare elliptical diamond that brings Hi-Fi sound quality into the Concorde format.

For the first time, Ortofon has fitted a bare diamond – as known from Hi-Fi systems like the 2M Black – into the sleek Concorde body, complete with gold-plated cantilever. Looks like it was built for a DJ with a licence to indulge.

Why the Concorde MKII Elite?

Because the bare (nude) elliptical diamond has lower moving mass than a bonded one and therefore follows the groove more accurately – finer detail, cleaner highs, more space. It sits on a rigid 750 µm aluminium-magnesium cantilever with a 23-karat gold-plated tip. At 8.5 mV and with the stable MKII housing, the Elite is the sonic peak of the range – while staying just as plug-and-play as any Concorde.

What you get

The best playback the Concorde MKII line has to offer: detailed, dynamic, with a live character and fine top-end resolution. Included is a matte black, velvet-lined storage box along with a replaceable finger lift. The Elite ships as a single, with the stylus pre-mounted.

Who is the Concorde MKII Elite suited for?

For sound-conscious vinyl listeners and DJs who love the Concorde format but want Hi-Fi resolution. Straight talk: the Elite isn't meant for scratching – the bare elliptical diamond wears quickly under hard scratch use, and Ortofon explicitly doesn't recommend it for that. If you scratch, get the Scratch; if you're mixing hard in a club, get the Club or DJ.

Our verdict

The sonic flagship of the Concorde MKII line: bare diamond, Hi-Fi resolution, plug-and-play convenience. In the Bonedo review, the Elite scored a perfect 5.0/5. The top of the range for listening – the wrong choice for scratching.

Technical Data

• Type: moving magnet cartridge (MM), Concorde design with integrated headshell
• Stylus shape: nude elliptical, r/R 8/18 µm
• Cantilever: aluminium-magnesium, 750 µm, 23-karat gold-plated
• Output voltage: 8.5 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm/s)
• Recommended tracking force: 3 g (range 2–4 g)
• Frequency response: 20–20,000 Hz
• Channel separation: 25 dB (1 kHz)
• Compliance (dynamic, lateral): 13 µm/mN
• Recommended load resistance: 47 kOhm
• Recommended load capacitance: 150–400 pF
• Mounting: SME/bayonet tonearm, plug-and-play
• Colour (body/tip): black/gold
• Weight: 18.5 g (without screws)
• What's included: 1 Concorde system with pre-mounted stylus + storage box

Frequently Asked Questions

What sets the Concorde MKII Elite apart from the other MKII systems?

The Elite is the only MKII system with a bare (nude) elliptical diamond and gold-plated cantilever. That lowers moving mass and lifts detail resolution to Hi-Fi level – well above Mix, DJ, Scratch and Club. In return it's not built for scratching, but for listening.

Does the Concorde MKII Elite need a special phono input?

No, a normal MM phono input is enough. The Elite is a moving magnet system at 8.5 mV – so the classic phono input on your amp or a separate MM preamp does the job. Recommended termination: 47 kOhm. A step-up transformer or MC stage isn't needed – that's exactly what makes it so easy to live with: Hi-Fi resolution on perfectly ordinary phono gear.

Why buy the Concorde MKII Elite from HD Zürisee?

Because we've lived Hi-Fi since the '90s and can tell you whether the Elite suits your turntable and tonearm – a bare diamond wants careful set-up, or you're leaving its potential on the table. We'll advise you in Wädenswil, and technician Mauri handles mounting and fine adjustment if you'd like.

Goes well with

Goes well with: a turntable, a phono preamp, and more cartridges.