Ortofon Quintet Blue MC Cartridge

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A new range of Ortofon cartridges is always an event! This new range is the merger of VIVO and RONDO lines. It uses some of the elements of these cartridges, without forgetting innovation, as always.

The Quintet Blue Cartridge is the second model in the range, replacing the famous Vivo Blue. From the outside, the two cartridges look completely different! The Dexan body has been replaced by an ABS (acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene) and aluminium sandwich. This increases the weight of the cartridgeto 2g. The tracking force has increased from 1.8 to 2.3g! This means that although the compliance of the new Blue is slightly better (+2 Um/mN), it is a little less versatile than the Vivo. It also requires a higher VTA, which must be higher than 19mm.

The high quality Nude elliptical stylus is mounted onto an aluminium cantilever. The coils use a conductor made of high purity copper (99.9999%). The magnetic circuit comprises powerful neodymium magnets. The output connectors are gold-plated. The top of the cartridge is connected to the headshell by 3 points, like the Cadenza series. They minimise mechanical vibration between the two elements.

At first sight, the new series is not very attractive! Ha! But it's always a good idea to see a cartridge with its tonearm, and once it’s mounted onto the headshell you'll see what all the fuss is all about! If you’re still sceptical, just remember that a square shape makes a cartridge much easier to align, and makes the VTA easier too.

It is assembled using screws and threaded inserts, so without nuts, but it should be noted that it cannot be mounted to certain headshells, such as the Thorens 160 or 166, etc.

The Quintet Blue is easily one of the most affordable cartridges on the market, but still manages to incorporate all of the technology and expertise the Danish brand has to offer. And Ortofon is celebrating its 95th birthday! Which means that we can trust them. The Quintet offers the same high quality definition, transparency and articulation as the Vivo Blue, and less surface noise than the Quintet Red.  It also has more openness and dynamic range, with all the spaciousness and precision of moving coil cartridges but not a hint of harshness. The textures are impressively rich and neutral for a cartridge in this price range. Naturally, it can't compete with the brand’s higher end models, but if you have a high quality vinyl turntable and a preamp with an MC function, the Quintet Blue definitely has a lot to offer. Highly recommended.