Ortofon MC Quintet Blue Hi-Fi Turntable Cartridge

Ortofon MC Quintet Blue Hi-Fi Turntable Cartridge

Ortofon's MC Quintet Blue is a very homogeneous cartridge whose 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.

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 Blue adds more dynamics and resolution, sounds more open and reproduces more details.

Features

• Light weight and durable cartridge body made from a special ABS (Acrylonitrile/Butadiene/Styrene) thermoplastic material
• Neodymium magnets are implemented to achieve an optimal output
• Delivers more space, depth and detail into the sound and is a very good choice for any kind of music, especially rhythmic
• Low internal impedance makes the cartridge less sensitive to load and therefore ensures compatibility with the widest range of preamps and transformers
• Nude Elliptical stylus profile
• Supplied with 2 screws (M2.5 x 5)

The story behind the Quintet series

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, with their latest being the Quintet Series.

Ortofon 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

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.

Top-mounting of the Quintet cartridges is easy and secure using the screws supplied. The aluminuim 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.

Styli lifetime and care

With proper care, Ortofon finds that up to 1,000 hours is possible without degradation of performance. The stylus does begin to exhibit changes after 1,000 hours, but the stylus life as a whole is expected to top 2,000 hours. Proper care is comprised of the following:

• Cleaning of record by means of fibre brush before and after every use
• Cleaning of record by using a record cleaning machine once in a while
• Cleaning of the stylus by means of a fine antistatic brush. Please remember to remove dust from the diamond tip before and after playback of each record. Use the brush in the forward direction from the rear of the cartridge towards the stylus tip, never from stylus tip to the rear of the cartridge and never from side to side
• Proper adjustment of alignment, anti-skating, azimuth and tracking force
• Ortofon does not recommend the use of solvents of any kind for cleaning of either record surface or stylus.

"The Quintet Blue handles the music’s frantic dynamic swings with composure, refusing to harden-up even when provoked. We’re impressed by its refinement and ability to render treble textures." (Read More) Best Cartridge over £150 - What Hi-Fi? Awards 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023

"you’ll be very hard-pressed to find a better alternative that’s as well balanced across the board as the blue. This pick-up offers a sound that’s both refined and yet bags of fun, guaranteeing its place as a fantastic all-rounder for those wanting a quality moving coil on a budget." Hi-Fi News - December 2014

"it really plays to how the piece moves from quiet passages to louder sections with great effect, pulling you into the music. Each instrument gets the space to let its notes grow, which it knits together into a cohesive whole, revealing its measured and neutral presentation." Hi-Fi Choice Group Test Winner - October 2014

Specification

• Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5cm/sec: 0.5 mV
• Channel balance at 1 kHz:
• Channel separation at 1 kHz: >21 dB
• Channel separation at 15 kHz: >14 dB
• Frequency range at -3 dB: 20 - 25,000 Hz
• 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 Eliptical
• 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 (23mN)
• Tracking angle: 20°
• Internal impedance, DC resistance: 7 Ohm
• Recommended load impedance: >20 Ohm
• Cartridge body material: ABS/Alu.
• Coil wire material: Pure 4-nines silver
• Cartridge colour, body/stylus: Blue
• Weight: 9 g
• Dimensions: 23.1mm x 17mm x 19.2mm

About Ortofon

Ortofon is one of the world leader's in the development and manufacturing of turntable cartridges. The wealth of knowledge and expertise at Ortofon has been accumulating since 1918 with their first moving coil cartridge manufactured in 1948.

Today, Ortofon offers a wide range of cartridges for both DJ's and Hi-Fi audiophiles. Their offering includes moving magnets, moving coils, plug-and-play headshells, mono cartridges and 78RPM cartridges.

Throughout their range of cartridges, Ortofon maintains a set profile with each cartridge profile containing an individual sonic expression. All of Ortofon's range of cartridges includes a Red, Blue, Bronze and Black model.

First, in the range, are the Red cartridges which deliver open, dynamic sound with a slight touch of warmth. Next, the Blue Cartridges offer greater dynamic soundstages with improved detail and resolution. Following on, the Bronze cartridges improve the details in a way that pays respects to all elements of the track. Lastly, the Black cartridges are the best at everything. They are true to the groove with resolution and accurate insight into each recording.

Ortofon have made their cartridges suitable for the majority of turntables on the market at the moment. With a wide range of available models, there is an Ortofon cartridge to suit everyone.