Ortofon MC Quintet Blue

The Ortofon MC Quintet Blue is a low-output moving-coil cartridge with a nude elliptical diamond stylus on an aluminium cantilever and pure 4N copper coils.

It's the homogeneous middle ground of the Quintet series: gentler than the Red, more moderate in dynamics than the Bronze – and a surprisingly mature all-rounder for any style of music.

Why the Quintet Blue?

A nude diamond stylus has less moving mass than a bonded diamond glued on like the Red's, so it reacts faster and more finely. Together with the pure 4N copper coils and the sturdy ABS/aluminium body, the Blue delivers noticeably more space, depth and detail.

What you'll hear

A very homogeneous, balanced sound with more space and depth than the Red. The Blue plays gently, cleanly and yet with life – rhythmic music in particular gets a real swing without ever sounding nervous.

Who's the Quintet Blue for?

For vinyl listeners who want to move beyond entry level and are after an uncomplicated, balanced MC for all genres. Straight talk: you'll only get more resolution and finer treble detail with the Bronze's fine-line cut. An MC-capable phono stage is mandatory here too.

Our verdict

The Quintet Blue is the series' sensible middle way: homogeneous, balanced, suited to any record collection – it was named class winner at the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2023. We at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil will tell you whether the Blue is enough, or whether the step up to the Bronze is worthwhile for you.

Technical specifications

• Type: MC cartridge (moving coil, low output)
• Stylus type: Elliptical (nude)
• Cantilever: Aluminium
• Tip radius: r/R 8/18 µm
• Output voltage (1 kHz, 5 cm/s): 0.5 mV
• Channel balance: < 1.5 dB
• Channel separation (1 kHz): > 21 dB
• Channel separation (15 kHz): > 14 dB
• Frequency range (-3 dB): 20–25,000 Hz
• Frequency response (20 Hz–20 kHz): ±2.5 dB
• Tracing ability (315 Hz): 70 µm
• Stylus compliance (dynamic, lateral): 15 µm/mN
• Tracking force: 2.1–2.5 g (recommended 2.3 g)
• Tracking angle: 20°
• Internal impedance (DC): 7 ohms
• Recommended load impedance: > 20 ohms
• Coil wire: pure 4N copper
• Body material: ABS / aluminium
• Colour: Blue
• Weight: 9 g

Frequently asked questions

What phono stage does the Ortofon Quintet Blue need?

An MC-capable phono preamp or a step-up transformer. At 0.5 mV, the Blue is a low-output MC; Ortofon recommends a load impedance of more than 20 ohms. We at HD Zürisee will set this up correctly for you.

What's the difference between the Quintet Blue and Red and Bronze?

The Red uses a bonded elliptical diamond, the Blue a nude elliptical stylus with more space and depth, the Bronze a finer fine-line cut with more precise treble detail. The Blue is the homogeneous, balanced middle of the series. Which one suits you depends on your standards and your budget.

Will the Quintet Blue fit my tonearm?

Usually, yes. At 9 g weight and 15 µm/mN dynamic compliance, the Blue fits most light to medium-mass tonearms. We'll check the ideal resonance frequency with you if needed.

Why buy the Ortofon Quintet Blue at HD Zürisee?

Because we give you honest advice on which Quintet suits your system and which phono stage belongs with it. As an authorised dealer in Wädenswil, we take care of the matching, and our technician Mauri will professionally mount and align the cartridge on request. Call or write to us.

Goes well with

Get more out of the Quintet Blue: you'll find alignment tools and matching accessories under Turntable Accessories, everything for a clean groove under Record Cleaning. Everything else around your turntable is shown in All Vinyl.