Ortofon Cadenza Bronze Cartridge

Cadenza Series

The Cadenza Series of high-end Moving Coil (MC) cartridges was born out of the success of Ortofon's Kontrapunkt and MC Jubilee models. Though these models are amongst the most popular Ortofon has ever produced, the Danish cartridge masters still decided to develop a new range that was even more ambitious.

The name Cadenza comes from the Italian word for cadence, and refers to the section in a concert where the orchestra stops playing, leaving the soloist to play alone in free time without a strict, regular pulse. A Cadenza can be written or improvised, but it's usually the most elaborate and virtuosic part the solo instrument plays during the whole piece. It therefore seemed fitting that such a capable and nuanced cartridge series should use the same name.

By carefully implementing cobalt-iron pole pieces,  using new improved winding processes on the armature, and employing an extruded aluminium housing - amongst other changes - the Cadenza Series is able to out-perform all those that came before it. Like other modern ranges, the Cadenza Series is structured in Ortofon's preferred colour-tier nomenclature; so there are Red, Blue, Bronze, Black and Mono (White) variants available to suit varying budgets and tastes. 

As with all modern Ortofon ranges, the third cartridge in the Cadenza Series is the Bronze model. The Cadenza Bronze is a premium cartridge that boasts a Replicant 100 stylus and a conical aluminium cantilever. The coil wire used is the famous Ortofon Aucurum wire, which is a gold-plated version of the popular 6NX copper wire. A Field Stabilizing Element (FSE) is used for optimal linearity, especially during complex crescendo passages, making this cartridge perfect for classical genres.

The Cadenza Bronze is a true high-end reference cartridge, conveying music with supreme precision, impact and dynamics. Its stereo imaging capabilities illuminate the farthest corners of the soundstage in all three dimensions, creating an uncompromising, involving performance.

Key Features:

• Stereo imaging capabilities illuminate the farthest corners of the soundstage in all three dimensions
• More details and resolution but in a very evenhanded way that pays respect to all elements
• Internal coils from the famous Ortofon Aucurum wire, which is a gold plated 6NX copper wire
• Stainless steel aluminium cartridge body
• Replicant 100 stylus profile with conical aluminium cantilever

Hi Fi World Review - 5 Globes

Comments of Note:
This Review was a combined review of both the Cadenza Blue and the Cadenza Bronze:
"...if you want to hear what vinyl can sound like and enjoy the magic of good analogue then this is the starting point..."
"Ortofon are able to make technically near-perfect cartridges, free of blemishes and limitations..."
"...combine beauty with accuracy, a combination that has me enthralled..."
"Both cartridges are, aurally, a fantastic experience."
"They are also supremely even and svelte:the sound stage stretches wide, instruments and singers have vivid life..."
"The Blue was challengingly fast and deeply detailed..."
"The initial impact is hair trigger-fast and the decay of the drum kept dry and controlled...torrent of fine detail...with a sweetness of tone of that only good analogue can manage, I was impressed as ever by this cartridge..."
"The Blue...had striking insight and a vividly fast and detailed delivery..."
"...the Bronze offers a richer and even more musically engaging experience."
"(the Bronze)...has the same beautifully formed bass of the Blue, that is both tight and powerful, a richer lower midband that seemingly knits bass to midrange..."
"I worked through old originals from the 1960s onwards, right up to new recordings and pressings...both cartridges were a great experience."
"Both these new Cadenza cartridges are a fantastic hi-fi experience."
"Yes, they are expensive but if you have the money their sound borders on magically beautiful."

Key Technical Data:

GTIN: 5705796230130
IDENTIFIEREXISTS: TRUE