Audio T Verdict
The Ortofon MC Cadenza Red is the starting point of the Cadenza stereo range, but don't mistake that for entry-level cartridge performance. Its Nude Fine Line diamond, cylindrical aluminium cantilever and high-purity silver coils make this a serious low-output moving coil design for a turntable capable of showing what it can do.
Its character is deliberately inviting rather than relentlessly analytical. Ortofon describes the Red as open and dynamic with a touch of warmth, offering excellent space and depth while retaining a relaxed, homogeneous presentation.
Like any cartridge at this level, it deserves careful setup and a good moving coil phono stage. Get the alignment, tracking force and loading right and the Cadenza Red gives you an excellent route into high-performance MC playback without immediately jumping to the more specialised stylus and cantilever technologies further up the range.
Ortofon MC Cadenza Red
The MC Cadenza Red is the entry stereo model in Ortofon's Cadenza moving coil cartridge series, combining a Nude Fine Line stylus with a cylindrical aluminium cantilever and high-purity silver coil wire.
Its 450µV output places it firmly in low-output moving coil territory, so it is designed to work with a suitably capable MC phono stage rather than a conventional moving magnet input.
- Low-output moving coil cartridge
- Nude Fine Line diamond stylus
- Cylindrical aluminium cantilever
- 6NX 99.9999% pure silver coil wire
- Improved armature winding process
- 450µV / 0.45mV output
- Less than 1.5dB channel balance at 1kHz
- Greater than 23dB channel separation at 1kHz
- 80µm tracking ability at 315Hz
- 12µm/mN dynamic lateral compliance
- 2.5g recommended tracking force
- 50 to 500-ohm recommended load impedance
- 5-ohm internal DC resistance
- Standard half-inch mounting
- 10.7g cartridge weight
The Starting Point of the Cadenza Series
Cadenza is Ortofon's established high-performance moving coil range, with each model using a different combination of stylus, cantilever and generator technology.
The Red begins the stereo line-up with a Nude Fine Line diamond and aluminium cantilever before the Blue, Bronze and Black introduce increasingly specialised approaches of their own.
Rather than making every model sound deliberately more spectacular than the one below it, Ortofon gives each Cadenza cartridge its own sonic character.
Nude Fine Line Stylus
The Cadenza Red uses a Nude Fine Line diamond stylus.
Its relatively narrow tracing profile allows it to follow fine groove modulation accurately, while the extended contact area against the groove walls helps retrieve subtle musical information.
Ortofon specifies a stylus tip radius of r/R 8/40µm.
Why Fine Line?
The smaller the groove modulation becomes, particularly at high frequencies and towards the inner grooves of a record, the more challenging it becomes for a stylus to follow accurately.
A Fine Line profile is designed with a narrow tracing radius that can follow these small variations more precisely than simpler spherical or conventional elliptical shapes.
That can help improve clarity, tracking and low-level detail retrieval when the cartridge is properly aligned.
Cartridge Alignment Matters
The more sophisticated the stylus profile becomes, the more worthwhile accurate alignment becomes too. Overhang, offset angle, tracking force and anti-skate should all be set carefully rather than simply positioning the cartridge by eye.
A Nude Diamond
The word 'Nude' means the diamond itself forms the complete stylus rather than a smaller diamond tip being bonded to a separate metal shank.
This helps reduce unnecessary moving mass and allows the stylus and cantilever to react more readily to the tiny movements encoded into the record groove.
Cylindrical Aluminium Cantilever
The Nude Fine Line stylus is mounted on a cylindrical aluminium cantilever.
The cantilever transfers the movements of the stylus into the moving coil generator, making its stiffness, mass and mechanical behaviour fundamental to cartridge performance.
It provides the Cadenza Red with a relatively conventional but carefully controlled starting point before Ortofon introduces ruby, conical aluminium and Boron cantilevers further up the range.
High-Purity Silver Coil Wire
Inside the Cadenza Red, the moving coils are wound from 6NX high-purity silver wire.
Ortofon specifies the material as 99.9999% pure silver.
An improved winding process on the armature is also used to help achieve better channel balance.
What Does a Moving Coil Cartridge Do Differently?
In a moving coil cartridge, tiny coils attached to the cantilever assembly move within a magnetic field as the stylus follows the record groove.
Keeping those moving coils extremely small helps reduce moving mass, but it also means they generate a considerably lower voltage than a typical moving magnet cartridge.
That is why cartridges such as the Cadenza Red require more gain from the phono stage.
0.45mV Low-Output MC
The Cadenza Red produces 450µV, equivalent to 0.45mV, at 1kHz and 5cm/sec.
That is significantly below the output of a moving magnet cartridge such as an Ortofon 2M model.
A suitable low-output moving coil phono stage, or an appropriate step-up solution feeding a compatible phono stage, is therefore required.
Check Your Phono Stage Before Buying
The MC Cadenza Red should not be connected directly to a normal moving magnet input. Your phono stage needs sufficient moving coil gain and should provide a load impedance within Ortofon's recommended 50 to 500-ohm range.
50 to 500-Ohm Recommended Loading
Ortofon specifies a recommended load impedance between 50 and 500 ohms.
The cartridge's internal DC resistance is just 5 ohms.
This distinction is important: 5 ohms is the resistance of the cartridge itself, while 50 to 500 ohms is the external load Ortofon recommends the phono stage presents to it.
Which Load Setting Should I Use?
If your moving coil phono stage offers adjustable loading, begin with one of the settings within Ortofon's specified 50 to 500-ohm range. Different settings may subtly alter tonal balance and transient behaviour, so Audio T can help you find an appropriate starting point for your particular phono stage.
80µm Tracking Ability
Ortofon specifies a tracking ability of 80µm at 315Hz.
Tracking ability describes how successfully the stylus remains in contact with the groove during demanding modulation.
Good tracking helps reduce mistracking distortion and allows fine musical detail to remain intact during more complex passages.
2.5g Recommended Tracking Force
The Cadenza Red has the following manufacturer-specified tracking-force range:
- Minimum: 2.2g / 22mN
- Recommended: 2.5g / 25mN
- Maximum: 2.7g / 27mN
Ortofon's recommended 2.5g is the correct starting point for normal installation.
Don't Deliberately Under-Track
Setting a cartridge lighter than the manufacturer recommends does not automatically reduce record wear. A mistracking stylus can put greater stress on the groove. Keep the Cadenza Red within Ortofon's 2.2 to 2.7g range.
12µm/mN Compliance
Dynamic lateral compliance is specified at 12µm/mN.
Compliance describes the flexibility of the stylus suspension and forms an important part of the mechanical relationship between cartridge and tonearm.
Cartridge weight, compliance and the effective mass of the tonearm all influence the resonance behaviour of the complete arm and cartridge system.
20-Degree Tracking Angle
Ortofon specifies a tracking angle of 20 degrees.
Accurate alignment helps the Fine Line stylus sit correctly in the groove throughout its journey across the record.
Where the tonearm allows adjustment, cartridge azimuth and arm height can also be considered as part of the final setup.
Channel Balance and Separation
Channel balance is specified at less than 1.5dB at 1kHz.
Channel separation is greater than 23dB at 1kHz.
Good left-to-right consistency helps the cartridge create a stable stereo image with convincing placement of voices and instruments across the soundstage.
20Hz to 20kHz Frequency Response
Ortofon currently specifies a frequency response of +3 / -1dB from 20Hz to 20kHz.
More important than bandwidth alone is the Red's overall balance: Ortofon characterises the cartridge as relaxed and homogeneous, with a touch of warmth and strong depth within the stereo image.
10.7g Cartridge Weight
The Cadenza Red weighs 10.7g.
This is heavier than many mainstream moving magnet cartridges, so it is important to make sure the tonearm counterweight can correctly balance the cartridge while still applying the required 2.5g tracking force.
Aluminium and Stainless Steel Body
Ortofon specifies the cartridge body materials as aluminium and stainless steel.
The rigid housing provides a secure mechanical structure around the cartridge generator and contributes to its 10.7g overall mass.
Standard Half-Inch Mounting
The Cadenza Red uses conventional half-inch mounting.
It can therefore be physically fitted to many suitable tonearms using the standard two-screw cartridge arrangement.
Physical mounting alone doesn't guarantee an ideal match, so tonearm effective mass, counterweight range and the requirements of the phono stage should also be considered.
Cadenza Red or Cadenza Blue?
The Blue is the next model in the range, but it changes both the stylus and cantilever technology.
MC Cadenza Red
- Nude Fine Line stylus
- Cylindrical aluminium cantilever
- 6NX pure silver coil wire
- 450µV output
- 12µm/mN compliance
- 50 to 500-ohm loading
MC Cadenza Blue
- Nude FG 70 stylus
- Ruby cantilever
- 6NX pure silver coil wire
- 500µV output
- 12µm/mN compliance
- 50 to 200-ohm loading
Ortofon describes the Red as more relaxed and homogeneous, while the Blue introduces greater resolution, openness and detail. Which approach works best will depend on the turntable and the presentation you want from the system.
Red, Blue, Bronze or Black?
The Cadenza Series becomes increasingly specialised as you move through it.
- Cadenza Red: Nude Fine Line stylus and cylindrical aluminium cantilever
- Cadenza Blue: Nude FG 70 stylus and ruby cantilever
- Cadenza Bronze: Replicant 100 stylus, conical aluminium cantilever and Field Stabilizing Element
- Cadenza Black: Nude Shibata stylus, Boron cantilever and Wide Range Damping
That makes the choice more interesting than simply buying the highest model you can afford. Each one takes a different approach to reading the groove, so cartridge matching and listening are particularly worthwhile at this level.
Not a User-Replaceable Stylus
Unlike Ortofon's 2M moving magnet cartridges, the Cadenza Red does not have a removable stylus assembly intended for replacement at home.
If the diamond becomes worn or the cantilever is damaged, do not attempt to remove the stylus assembly from the body.
Ortofon provides dedicated repair and exchange services for moving coil cartridges such as the Cadenza Red.
Ortofon Repair Service
Ortofon currently offers a dedicated repair service for the MC Cadenza Red.
During this process the cartridge is opened and its existing motor unit removed. A new motor, diamond and cantilever are fitted before the cartridge is cleaned, tested and returned with its test results.
This provides a manufacturer-supported route for a cartridge that has become worn or suffered accidental damage.
Ortofon Exchange Service
The Cadenza Red is also included in Ortofon's moving coil exchange programme.
An eligible MC Cadenza Red can currently be exchanged towards another Cadenza Red or a qualifying Ortofon cartridge above it.
Don't Throw Away a Damaged MC Cartridge
If your Cadenza Red becomes worn or damaged, speak to Audio T before replacing it outright. Ortofon's repair or exchange programme may provide a useful route depending on the cartridge's condition and where you want to take the system next.
Careful Setup Is Worthwhile
A Cadenza cartridge should be treated as part of the complete analogue system rather than simply screwed into the tonearm and forgotten.
Setup should include:
- Accurate cartridge alignment
- Correct overhang and offset angle
- 2.5g initial tracking force
- Appropriate anti-skate
- Tonearm height where adjustable
- Azimuth where adjustable
- Suitable low-output MC phono-stage gain
- Loading between 50 and 500 ohms
- Checking cartridge mass and tonearm compatibility
Professional cartridge fitting can be particularly worthwhile if you're moving into low-output MC playback for the first time.
Key Features
- Ortofon MC Cadenza Red
- Low-output moving coil cartridge
- Stereo playback
- Half-inch mounting
- Nude Fine Line stylus
- r/R 8/40µm stylus radii
- Cylindrical aluminium cantilever
- 6NX high-purity silver coil wire
- 99.9999% pure silver wire
- Improved armature winding process
- 450µV / 0.45mV output
- Less than 1.5dB channel balance at 1kHz
- Greater than 23dB channel separation at 1kHz
- 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response
- +3 / -1dB response tolerance
- 80µm tracking ability at 315Hz
- 12µm/mN dynamic lateral compliance
- 2.2 to 2.7g tracking-force range
- 2.5g recommended tracking force
- 20-degree tracking angle
- 5-ohm internal DC resistance
- 50 to 500-ohm recommended load impedance
- Aluminium and stainless steel body
- Red / Black finish
- 10.7g cartridge weight
- Ortofon repair service available
- Ortofon exchange service available
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ortofon MC Cadenza Red still current?
Yes. Ortofon continues to list the MC Cadenza Red within its current Cadenza Series.
Is the Cadenza Red moving magnet or moving coil?
It is a low-output moving coil cartridge.
What stylus does the Cadenza Red use?
It uses a Nude Fine Line diamond with r/R 8/40µm stylus radii.
What cantilever does it use?
A cylindrical aluminium cantilever.
What coil wire does Ortofon use?
The Cadenza Red uses 6NX high-purity silver wire, specified by Ortofon as 99.9999% pure silver.
What is the output voltage?
450µV, equivalent to 0.45mV, at 1kHz and 5cm/sec.
Can I use it with a normal MM phono input?
Not directly. The Cadenza Red requires a suitably capable low-output moving coil phono stage or compatible step-up arrangement.
What load impedance does Ortofon recommend?
50 to 500 ohms.
What is the cartridge's internal resistance?
5 ohms DC resistance.
What tracking force should I use?
Ortofon recommends 2.5g, or 25mN.
What is the permitted tracking-force range?
2.2 to 2.7g.
What is the tracking ability?
80µm at 315Hz.
What is the dynamic compliance?
12µm/mN.
What is the channel separation?
Greater than 23dB at 1kHz.
What is the channel balance?
Less than 1.5dB at 1kHz.
What is the current frequency response?
Ortofon specifies +3 / -1dB from 20Hz to 20kHz.
How much does the Cadenza Red weigh?
10.7g.
What is the cartridge body made from?
Ortofon specifies aluminium and stainless steel.
What mounting system does it use?
Standard half-inch mounting.
Can I replace the stylus myself?
No. The Cadenza Red does not use a removable user-replaceable stylus assembly.
Can the Cadenza Red be repaired?
Yes. Ortofon currently offers a dedicated repair service for the MC Cadenza Red.
Is the Cadenza Red eligible for Ortofon's exchange programme?
Yes. An eligible Cadenza Red can currently be exchanged towards another Cadenza Red or qualifying Ortofon cartridges above it.
What is the difference between Cadenza Red and Blue?
The Red uses a Nude Fine Line stylus and cylindrical aluminium cantilever, while the Blue moves to a Nude FG 70 stylus and ruby cantilever. Their output and recommended phono-stage loading also differ.
Related Ortofon Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy an Ortofon Moving Coil Cartridge From Audio T?
Moving into a cartridge such as the Cadenza Red means looking at the complete analogue front end. Audio T can help check tonearm compatibility, match the cartridge to the right MC phono stage and make sure the Fine Line stylus is properly aligned and set up.
- Turntable and tonearm compatibility advice
- Moving coil cartridge matching
- Precision cartridge fitting and alignment
- Tracking-force setup
- Anti-skate guidance
- Tonearm geometry advice
- MC phono-stage matching
- Gain and loading advice
- Cadenza model comparison
- Repair and exchange guidance
- Turntable upgrade advice
- In-store demonstrations where appropriate
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss whether the Ortofon MC Cadenza Red is the right cartridge for your turntable, tonearm and phono stage.