Audio T Verdict
The MC Quintet Bronze is where Ortofon's Quintet range moves into more sophisticated groove tracing. Its Nude Fine Line stylus offers a longer contact area with the groove wall than the Nude Elliptical profile used by the Quintet Blue, helping reveal finer musical information while maintaining the smooth, even-handed character Ortofon intended for the Bronze.
It isn't simply about extracting more detail. The Bronze is designed to keep music balanced and coherent, with excellent space, texture and low-level resolution rather than pushing any particular part of the frequency range forward.
Its 0.3mV output makes this a genuine low-output moving coil cartridge, so a suitable MC phono stage and accurate cartridge setup are essential. Give it the right supporting system and the Quintet Bronze is a serious step up without immediately moving to the Shibata stylus of the flagship Quintet Black S.
Ortofon MC Quintet Bronze
The Ortofon MC Quintet Bronze is a high-performance low-output moving coil cartridge designed to combine greater detail and resolution with an even-handed musical balance.
Its Nude Fine Line diamond stylus offers an extended groove-contact area and is partnered with pure 4-nines copper coil wire, a low-impedance generator, neodymium magnets and the practical, easy-to-align Quintet cartridge body.
- Low-output moving coil cartridge
- Nude Fine Line diamond stylus
- r/R 8/40µm stylus radii
- Pure 4-nines copper coil wire
- Neodymium magnet system
- 0.3mV output voltage
- Less than 1.2dB channel balance at 1kHz
- Greater than 23dB channel separation at 1kHz
- 80µm tracking ability at 315Hz
- 15µm/mN dynamic lateral compliance
- 2.3g recommended tracking force
- Greater than 20-ohm recommended load impedance
- PC thermoplastic cartridge body
- Internal aluminium mounting frame
- Threaded mounting holes
- Half-inch mounting
- 9g cartridge weight
Moving Into the Higher League of Quintet
The Quintet Bronze sits above the Red and Blue within Ortofon's current stereo Quintet range.
The biggest change is the move to a Nude Fine Line diamond, which provides a more sophisticated groove-contact profile than the Elliptical and Nude Elliptical styli used by the models below it.
Ortofon describes the Bronze as adding greater detail and resolution while remaining even-handed across the frequency range.
Nude Fine Line Stylus
The Quintet Bronze uses a Nude Fine Line diamond stylus with radii of r/R 8/40µm.
The Fine Line shape provides a narrow tracing radius combined with an extended contact area against the groove walls.
This allows the stylus to follow very fine modulation, including demanding high-frequency information and the increasingly tightly packed grooves found towards the centre of an LP.
Why Fine Line?
As musical information becomes smaller and more complex within the groove, the ability of the stylus to follow those changes accurately becomes increasingly important.
A Fine Line profile is designed to make greater vertical contact with the groove wall while retaining a narrow tracing radius in the direction of travel.
That can improve retrieval of subtle detail, reduce tracing distortion and maintain cleaner reproduction towards the inner grooves when the cartridge is correctly aligned.
Fine Line Styli Reward Accurate Alignment
The Bronze's more sophisticated stylus can retrieve more information than simpler profiles, but accurate overhang, offset angle, tracking force and anti-skate become increasingly worthwhile too. Good cartridge setup is an important part of getting the best from the Quintet Bronze.
A Nude Diamond
The word 'Nude' means the diamond itself forms the complete stylus rather than using a smaller diamond tip bonded onto a separate mounting shank.
Reducing unnecessary moving mass helps the stylus assembly react more readily to small and rapidly changing groove modulation.
Pure 4-Nines Copper Coil Wire
The moving coils in the Quintet Bronze are wound using pure 4-nines copper.
These extremely small coils move within the cartridge's magnetic field as the stylus follows the groove, producing the electrical signal sent to the phono stage.
Ortofon's current specification explicitly identifies pure 4-nines copper as the Bronze's coil material.
Neodymium Magnet System
Ortofon uses neodymium magnets within the Quintet generator system.
The powerful magnetic material allows the cartridge to maintain an efficient compact generator while keeping the moving assembly appropriately light.
What Is a Moving Coil Cartridge?
In a moving coil cartridge, tiny coils connected to the stylus and suspension move within a magnetic field as the record groove is traced.
Those coils can be kept exceptionally small and light, helping the cartridge respond rapidly to fine groove information.
The trade-off is output voltage: the tiny coils generate a much smaller electrical signal than a conventional moving magnet cartridge.
0.3mV Low-Output MC
The Quintet Bronze produces 0.3mV at 1kHz and 5cm/sec.
This is a true low-output moving coil signal and requires considerably more amplification than a conventional MM cartridge.
A suitable low-output MC phono input, dedicated moving coil phono stage or compatible step-up arrangement is therefore essential.
Check Your Phono Stage Before Buying
The MC Quintet Bronze should not normally be connected directly to an MM-only phono input. Make sure your phono stage provides appropriate gain for a 0.3mV cartridge and suitable moving coil loading.
Greater Than 20-Ohm Loading
Ortofon specifies a recommended load impedance of greater than 20 ohms.
The cartridge itself has an internal DC resistance of just 5 ohms.
These figures describe different things. The 5-ohm figure is the resistance of the cartridge's own coils, while the greater-than-20-ohm figure describes the external load recommended from the phono stage.
Which Load Setting Should I Use?
If your moving coil phono stage offers adjustable loading, choose an appropriate value above Ortofon's 20-ohm minimum and compare the suitable options available. Audio T can help with gain and loading for your particular phono stage.
80µm Tracking Ability
Tracking ability is specified at 80µm at 315Hz.
This describes the cartridge's ability to remain in stable contact with the groove during demanding modulation.
The Fine Line stylus, suspension and accurate installation all contribute to achieving the intended tracking performance.
2.3g Recommended Tracking Force
Ortofon specifies the following tracking-force range:
- Minimum: 2.1g / 21mN
- Recommended: 2.3g / 23mN
- Maximum: 2.5g / 25mN
For normal setup, begin at the manufacturer's recommended 2.3g.
Don't Deliberately Under-Track
Running a cartridge lighter than the manufacturer recommends doesn't automatically reduce record wear. A stylus that mistracks can increase both distortion and groove stress. Keep the Quintet Bronze within Ortofon's specified 2.1 to 2.5g range.
15µm/mN Compliance
Dynamic lateral compliance is specified at 15µm/mN.
Compliance describes the mechanical flexibility of the cartridge suspension and forms part of the relationship between the cartridge and the effective mass of the tonearm.
The Bronze itself weighs 9g, so both cartridge mass and compliance should be considered when assessing compatibility.
20-Degree Tracking Angle
Ortofon specifies a tracking angle of 20 degrees.
Accurate cartridge alignment and suitable tonearm geometry help position the Fine Line stylus correctly within the groove.
Where the arm provides adjustment, tonearm height and azimuth can also form part of the final setup.
Channel Balance and Separation
Channel balance is specified at less than 1.2dB at 1kHz.
Channel separation is specified at greater than 23dB at 1kHz.
Good channel consistency helps maintain a stable stereo image and precise placement of voices and instruments within the soundstage.
20Hz to 20kHz Frequency Response
Ortofon currently specifies a frequency response of ±1.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz.
This current manufacturer figure is more useful for the customer-facing specification than the older extended-frequency measurements previously shown on the Audio T page.
PC Thermoplastic Body
Ortofon's current technical specification identifies the Quintet Bronze cartridge body material as PC thermoplastic.
The lightweight moulded construction surrounds an internal aluminium mounting frame and provides the distinctive squared-off shape of the Quintet family.
Internal Aluminium Mounting Frame
An aluminium frame sits within the cartridge body and provides threaded mounting holes for the fixing screws.
This means you don't need to juggle separate cartridge nuts while installing the Bronze into the headshell.
Designed for Easier Alignment
The Quintet cartridge body uses straight sides and right angles that provide useful visual references when aligning the cartridge.
Ortofon also provides plenty of clearance beneath the body and good visibility of the stylus itself.
This makes setup less awkward than with many unusually shaped moving coil cartridges.
Use the Shape as a Guide, Not a Shortcut
The square body makes alignment easier to see, but a proper alignment protractor should still be used. This is especially worthwhile with a Fine Line stylus capable of such precise groove contact.
5mm and 7mm Mounting Screws
Ortofon supplies 5mm and 7mm mounting screws to suit headshells of different thicknesses.
The MC Quintet Bronze uses standard half-inch mounting.
9g Cartridge Weight
The complete cartridge weighs 9g.
Before fitting, check that your tonearm and counterweight can accommodate this mass while still achieving the required 2.3g tracking force.
Quintet Blue or Quintet Bronze?
The step from Blue to Bronze changes both the stylus profile and several electrical performance figures.
MC Quintet Blue
- Nude Elliptical stylus
- r/R 8/18µm profile
- 0.5mV output
- Greater than 21dB channel separation
- 70µm tracking ability
- 15µm/mN compliance
MC Quintet Bronze
- Nude Fine Line stylus
- r/R 8/40µm profile
- 0.3mV output
- Greater than 23dB channel separation
- 80µm tracking ability
- 15µm/mN compliance
The Fine Line diamond is the main attraction of the Bronze, bringing a more sophisticated groove-contact profile. Its lower 0.3mV output also means phono-stage capability becomes increasingly important.
Quintet Bronze or Quintet Black S?
The Black S sits above the Bronze as the flagship stereo Quintet cartridge.
MC Quintet Bronze
- Nude Fine Line stylus
- r/R 8/40µm profile
- 0.3mV output
- 80µm tracking ability
- 2.3g recommended tracking force
- Pure 4-nines copper coil wire
MC Quintet Black S
- Nude Shibata stylus
- r/R 6/50µm profile
- Sapphire cantilever
- 0.3mV output
- 80µm tracking ability
- 2.3g recommended tracking force
The Black S introduces both a different line-contact stylus and a Sapphire cantilever, making the step predominantly mechanical rather than simply an increase in output or headline bandwidth.
Where Does the Quintet Bronze Sit?
The current stereo Quintet range progresses through:
- Quintet Red: Elliptical stylus
- Quintet Blue: Nude Elliptical stylus
- Quintet Bronze: Nude Fine Line stylus
- Quintet Black S: Nude Shibata stylus with Sapphire cantilever
The Bronze therefore provides the first Fine Line option in the range and is a particularly strong match for turntables capable of exploiting a more advanced stylus without necessarily requiring the flagship Black S.
No User-Replaceable Stylus
The MC Quintet Bronze does not have the removable stylus assembly found on Ortofon's moving magnet cartridges.
The stylus and moving coil generator form part of the complete cartridge assembly, so a worn or damaged stylus should not be removed at home.
Ortofon Exchange Service
The Quintet Bronze is currently included in Ortofon's moving coil Exchange Service.
An eligible MC Quintet Bronze can be exchanged towards another Quintet Bronze or a qualifying Ortofon cartridge above it.
This provides a manufacturer-supported route if the cartridge suffers accidental damage or eventually needs replacing.
Damaged Moving Coil Cartridge?
Don't automatically throw it away. Speak to Audio T first so we can advise whether Ortofon's Exchange Service is appropriate and discuss the replacement or upgrade routes available.
Careful Setup Is Worthwhile
The Fine Line stylus deserves accurate installation.
A thorough setup should include:
- Correct cartridge overhang
- Accurate offset angle
- 2.3g initial tracking force
- Appropriate anti-skate
- Tonearm height where adjustable
- Azimuth where adjustable
- Suitable low-output MC phono-stage gain
- Load impedance greater than 20 ohms
- Checking cartridge and tonearm mechanical compatibility
Professional fitting is particularly worthwhile if you're not comfortable aligning a Fine Line stylus yourself.
Key Features
- Ortofon MC Quintet Bronze
- Low-output moving coil cartridge
- Quintet Series
- Stereo playback
- Half-inch mounting
- Nude Fine Line stylus
- r/R 8/40µm stylus radii
- Pure 4-nines copper coil wire
- Neodymium magnet system
- 0.3mV output voltage
- Less than 1.2dB channel balance at 1kHz
- Greater than 23dB channel separation at 1kHz
- 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response
- ±1.5dB response tolerance
- 80µm tracking ability at 315Hz
- 15µm/mN dynamic lateral compliance
- 2.1 to 2.5g tracking-force range
- 2.3g recommended tracking force
- 20-degree tracking angle
- 5-ohm internal DC resistance
- Greater than 20-ohm recommended load impedance
- PC thermoplastic cartridge body
- Internal aluminium mounting frame
- Threaded mounting holes
- 5mm and 7mm mounting screws supplied
- Bronze finish
- 9g cartridge weight
- Ortofon Exchange Service eligible
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ortofon MC Quintet Bronze still current?
Yes. Ortofon continues to list the MC Quintet Bronze within its current Quintet Series.
Is the Quintet Bronze moving magnet or moving coil?
It is a low-output moving coil cartridge.
What stylus does the Quintet Bronze use?
It uses a Nude Fine Line diamond with r/R 8/40µm stylus radii.
What coil wire does it use?
Ortofon currently specifies pure 4-nines copper coil wire.
What is the output voltage?
0.3mV at 1kHz and 5cm/sec.
Can I use it with a normal MM phono input?
Not directly in normal circumstances. The Quintet Bronze requires suitable low-output moving coil gain and loading.
What load impedance does Ortofon recommend?
Greater than 20 ohms.
What is its internal resistance?
5 ohms DC resistance.
What tracking force should I use?
Ortofon recommends 2.3g, or 23mN.
What is the tracking-force range?
2.1 to 2.5g.
What is the tracking ability?
80µm at 315Hz.
What is the dynamic compliance?
15µm/mN.
What is the tracking angle?
20 degrees.
What is the channel separation?
Greater than 23dB at 1kHz.
What is the channel balance?
Less than 1.2dB at 1kHz.
What is the current frequency response?
Ortofon specifies ±1.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz.
How much does the Quintet Bronze weigh?
9g.
What is the cartridge body made from?
Ortofon's current structured specification identifies the body material as PC thermoplastic, with an internal aluminium mounting frame.
What mounting system does it use?
Standard half-inch mounting with threaded fixing holes.
Are mounting screws included?
Yes. Ortofon supplies 5mm and 7mm screws for different headshell thicknesses.
Can I replace the stylus myself?
No. The Quintet Bronze does not have a customer-removable replacement stylus assembly.
Is the Quintet Bronze eligible for Ortofon's Exchange Service?
Yes. Ortofon currently permits an eligible Quintet Bronze to be exchanged towards another Quintet Bronze or qualifying models above it.
What is the difference between Quintet Blue and Bronze?
The Blue uses a Nude Elliptical stylus, while the Bronze moves to a Nude Fine Line profile. The Bronze also has lower 0.3mV output, greater specified tracking ability and higher channel separation.
What is the difference between Quintet Bronze and Black S?
The Bronze uses a Nude Fine Line stylus. The flagship Black S moves to a Nude Shibata diamond mounted on a Sapphire cantilever.
Related Ortofon Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy an Ortofon Moving Coil Cartridge From Audio T?
The Quintet Bronze is sophisticated enough that turntable matching, cartridge alignment and phono-stage setup can make a significant difference. Audio T can help make sure the cartridge, tonearm and MC phono stage work properly together before and after installation.
- Turntable and tonearm compatibility advice
- Moving magnet to moving coil upgrade guidance
- Professional cartridge fitting and alignment
- Fine Line stylus alignment
- Tracking-force setup
- Anti-skate adjustment
- Tonearm geometry advice
- MC phono-stage matching
- Gain and loading advice
- Quintet model comparison
- Ortofon Exchange Service 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 Quintet Bronze is the right moving coil cartridge for your turntable, tonearm and phono stage.