Ortofon MC Cadenza Black

The Ortofon MC Cadenza Black is a low-output moving-coil cartridge with a bare Shibata stylus on a boron cantilever and Ortofon's WRD damping system.

It's the flagship of the Cadenza series – and you can hear it: plenty of resolution without ever becoming tiring. Where many expensive MC cartridges mistake sharpness for detail, the Black stays calm, ordered and mature.

Why the Cadenza Black?

Boron is stiffer and lighter than aluminium. That lowers the moving mass of the stylus/cantilever assembly and lets the cartridge react lightning-fast to the finest groove deflections. The WRD/Wide Range Damping system – known from the MC Windfeld, A90, A95 and the Anna – controls damping separately in the high and low frequency ranges. The coils are wound from Aucurum, a gold-plated 6NX copper wire. The result is neutrality that doesn't sound like a measurement lab, but like music.

What you hear

An exceptionally neutral, dynamic and pure reproduction. The Black spans a large, deep soundstage, locates precisely and separates instruments cleanly from one another. Voices stand tangibly in the room, transients arrive fast and controlled, and from well-maintained grooves it pulls out micro-detail you'd previously missed.

Who is the Cadenza Black for?

For ambitious vinyl listeners with a good turntable and a medium-mass tonearm who want maximum neutrality and resolution. Plain talk: if you prefer it warm, round and forgiving, you'll be happier with the Cadenza Bronze – the Black is honest and also shows when a pressing is weak. It belongs on an MC-capable phono stage and a tonearm that matches its compliance.

Our verdict

At its price point, the Cadenza Black counts among the references: Stereophile lists it in its "Recommended Components" 2024, and StereoNET gave it the Applause Award in 2022. In everyday use, though, it's above all the effortless composure that convinces – plenty of information, zero stress. We at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil tell you honestly whether it suits your tonearm and phono stage.

Technical data

• Type: MC cartridge (Moving Coil, Low Output)
• Stylus profile: Nude Shibata on boron cantilever
• Tip radius: r/R 6/50 µm
• Output voltage (1 kHz, 5 cm/s): 0.33 mV
• Channel balance (1 kHz): < 0.8 dB
• Channel separation (1 kHz): > 27 dB
• Channel separation (15 kHz): > 20 dB
• Frequency range (-3 dB): 20–60,000 Hz
• Frequency response (20 Hz–20 kHz): +1.5 / 0 dB
• Tracking ability (315 Hz): 90 µm
• Compliance (dynamic, lateral): 16 µm/mN
• Tracking force: 2.0–2.5 g (recommended 2.3 g)
• Tracking angle: 20°
• Internal impedance (DC): 5 ohms
• Recommended load impedance: > 10 ohms
• Coil wire: Aucurum (gold-plated 6NX copper)
• Housing material: stainless steel / aluminium
• Colour: black / black
• Weight: 10.7 g

Frequently asked questions

What phono stage does the Ortofon Cadenza Black need?

An MC-capable phono preamp or a step-up transformer. With an output voltage of 0.33 mV, the Black is a low-output MC and needs corresponding gain; Ortofon recommends a load impedance greater than 10 ohms. We at HD Zürisee help you find the right setting.

Which tonearm suits the Cadenza Black?

A medium-mass tonearm harmonises well. With a dynamic compliance of 16 µm/mN and a weight of 10.7 g, the Black is uncomplicated and suits most high-quality tonearms. If in doubt, we'll work out the resonance frequency with you.

What's the difference between the Cadenza Black and the Cadenza Bronze?

The Black is more neutral and higher resolving, the Bronze warmer and more dynamic. The Black uses a Shibata stylus on boron, the Bronze a Replicant 100 on aluminium with a deliberately voiced tuning. Which suits you better depends on taste and record collection.

Why buy the Ortofon Cadenza Black at HD Zürisee?

Because years of experience tell us which cartridge suits which turntable. As an authorised dealer in Wädenswil, we advise you on tonearm, phono stage and alignment – and our technician Mauri mounts and aligns the system professionally on request. Call or write to us.

Goes well with

Get the most out of the Black: find alignment tools and matching accessories under Turntable accessories, everything for a clean groove under Record cleaning. Everything else around the turntable is shown under Everything vinyl.