Introduction: A Contender in the High-End Market
Several years ago, the author had the pleasure of an extended experience with the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze, a cartridge lauded for its remarkable performance. Following that, the Ortofon Quintet Bronze was reviewed, noted for its excellent value. The opportunity to review the Ortofon Cadenza Red was met with anticipation, tempered by questions about its position relative to its siblings. Specifically, is the Cadenza Red, priced at $1280, worth the $450 premium over the Quintet Bronze, and can it deliver the magic of the more expensive Cadenza Bronze at a significantly lower cost?
The Cadenza Red enters the competitive first tier of high-performance moving coil cartridges. This review aims to determine if it possesses the quality to carve out its own niche in this demanding market.
Product Description and Design
Image Description: A close-up view of the Ortofon Cadenza Red phono cartridge. The cartridge body is predominantly black with a prominent red accent band. The Ortofon logo is visible on the top, along with the "CADENZA" model name printed in white on the front face. The cartridge features a cantilever arm extending from the body, designed to hold the stylus.
The Ortofon Cadenza Red cartridge's design is rooted in the architecture of the highly successful Ortofon Kontrapunkt A. However, it is more than a mere update. Key enhancements include 6NX (99.9999% pure) silver wiring and an improved coil winding process on the armature, which refines channel balance and separation. Additional upgrades feature cobalt-iron pole pieces and a newly designed body constructed from a combination of extruded aluminum and stainless steel. The cantilever is a straight pole aluminum design, fitted with Ortofon's nude mount Fine Line diamond, a line contact variant with dimensions of 8 by 40 µm. The cartridge weighs 10.7 grams, classifying it as a medium compliance unit with a dynamic compliance of 12 µm/mN. It offers an output level of 0.45 mV, with a recommended tracking force of 2.5 grams within its 2.2-2.7 gram range.
Review Setup and Methodology
For this review, the Cadenza Red was evaluated using an updated Thorens TD124 turntable featuring a 4" stacked birch plywood plinth and an Eminent Technology II tonearm. The tracking force was set to the recommended 2.5 grams. The phono stage employed was the Liberty Audio B2B-1, configured with a 220 ohm load. The audio chain was completed by an Electra Print PVA pre-amplifier, a 300B Custom amplifier, Hawthorne Audio Trio speakers, and cabling from the Zu Audio Mission series. Power conditioning was managed by an Audio Magic Mini-Reference unit.
Sonic Performance: Midrange and Vocals
The adage "you get what you pay for" holds true for the Ortofon Cadenza Red. Its most striking characteristic is an astonishingly natural portrayal of the midrange, a quality that alone makes it a compelling choice. Compared to the Quintet Bronze, the Cadenza Red significantly outclasses it, particularly in this crucial frequency range. Playing Liz Story's "Without You" from the album "Solid Colors" (Windham Hill Records C-1023), the cartridge beautifully renders the languid melody and the intricate, resolving chords. The Cadenza Red brings the performance to the forefront, revealing its special ability to capture the essence of the music with a transparency that allows jazz-infused undertones to be easily appreciated. The piano exhibits a rich, vibrant body and fullness without being overdone, placing the Cadenza Red among the elite moving coil cartridges.
The cartridge also excels with vocal performances. Mel Torme's rendition of "It's A Blue World" (from the 1955 album "It's A Blue World" on Bethlehem BCP34) is presented with remarkable clarity. Despite the limitations of the vintage recording, the Cadenza Red unveils the nuances of Torme's voice, highlighting his refinement and delicacy. Even when the orchestral backing is smooth and languid, as on "Found A Million Dollar Baby," the Cadenza Red ensures the vocals remain the primary focus, demonstrating its capability to present contemporary singers with exceptional presence.
Sonic Performance: Rock and Dynamic Music
For hobbyists who appreciate rock and roll, the Cadenza Red proves more than capable of handling music with a raw edge and dynamic slam. When playing "Wild Women of Wango" by The Tubes from "Outside Inside" (Capitol Records ST-12260), the cartridge sheds its laid-back nature to deliver a primitive and raw rock experience. The bongos and bass guitar are rendered with solidity and clarity, free from bloat. Electric guitars and crash cymbals possess a brash, metallic bite, while vocals retain a surprising liveliness and refinement. The Cadenza Red's balanced midrange presentation is a strength, stripping away excessive colorations to reveal the energy and drive inherent in rock music.
Cartridge Personality and Comparison
The Ortofon Cadenza Red possesses a distinct personality, characterized by a liquid, refined, and flowing sound with a slightly burnished warmth that is highly engaging. As the most affordable option in the Cadenza line, it omits some of the advanced technologies found in the Bronze and Black variants. While it shares sonic similarities with the Cadenza Bronze, the Bronze benefits from Ortofon's Field Stabilizing Element (FSE), which extends high-frequency response and improves linearity. This gives the Bronze an edge in complex high-frequency passages, a difference justified by its higher price point.
However, the Cadenza Red is far from a compromise. Its relaxed high-frequency response curve offers its own endearing attributes. When listening to Dire Straits' "Why Worry" from "Brothers In Arms" (Warner Bros. Records 25264-1), the upper registers are infused with texture and a dense harmonic structure, providing a natural and inviting tone. Synthesizer notes shimmer, and steel guitar notes decay beautifully, though perhaps slightly faster than on reference cartridges. The room ambience is subtly present. In essence, the Cadenza Red synthesizes the detail of a moving coil cartridge with the coherence of a classic moving magnet design, offering a unique and emotionally involving listening experience.
Value Proposition and Conclusion
The balance between cartridge performance and affordability often tips around the $1000 to $1200 mark. While cartridges in this price range are expected to perform exceptionally, they represent a significant investment for many. The Ortofon Cadenza Red continues the trend of substantial sound quality improvements seen as one moves up from lower price tiers ($200-$800). Its construction, featuring an aluminum and stainless steel body, silver wire coils, a new armature, cobalt-iron pole pieces, and a Fine Line stylus, reflects a commitment to quality components. However, it is the skillful voicing by Ortofon's design team that creates a cartridge that is both inviting and capable of reproducing the full spectrum of shading and texture in a recording.
For hobbyists seeking an emotionally involving listening experience, prioritizing tone, harmonic density, and a rich presentation, the Ortofon Cadenza Red is an excellent choice. It stands confidently among its peers in the $1200 cartridge class, delivering performance that justifies its price.
