Ortofon Concorde Music Bronze MM cartridge

The Ortofon Music Bronze cartridge is the third cartridge in this new Hi-Fi "Concorde" series, which includes five cartridges. This series has been designed to be mounted on S-shaped tonearms with SME bayonet mounts. It allows a DJ turntable to be used in a more "Audiophile" way.

ORTOFON CONCORDE MUSIC BRONZE: TECHNOLOGY

All the models in this series share a generator with four coils equipped with split pole pins. These coils use oxygen-free copper (OFC) conductors that have undergone silver electrolysis. The Nude Fine Line diamond is mounted on an aluminum cantilever. 

This allows for better channel separation and a lower surface noise level compared to the Concorde Music Blue. The output level of 6 mV allows it to be paired with preamps offering a gain below 40 dB. However, this technology is not entirely new as Ortofon is the inventor and had already offered it on the 500 models and more recently on the 2M Bronze, for example. 

Here, it has been particularly improved and optimized to significantly reduce distortion and to particularly improve the linearity and the bandwidth range, especially in the treble, which is often the weak point of moving magnet cartridges. The manufacturer's clear intention is to offer a simple moving magnet cartridge that eliminates the need for overhang and azimuth adjustments. However, you will still need to apply the tracking force, antiskating, and VTA.

ORTOFON CONCORDE MUSIC BRONZE: TEST AND LISTENING

The performance is logically similar to that of the 2M Bronze. The Nude Fine Line diamond offers a profile that allows for better reactivity, and thus more detail and dynamics while reducing distortion. The velocity of this Ortofon Concorde Music Bronze is remarkable, even though it doesn't reach the performance levels of a low-output MC. The high end of the spectrum is very defined and precise without any aggressiveness. The overall performance is very homogeneous. 

This results in exceptional balance and channel separation, offering an excellent soundstage. The bass is much deeper and more articulated compared to the Blue version. The midrange offers a beautiful presence, with plenty of nuance. It is noted that the performance in terms of detail and precision is a reference in this price range. The surface noise level of this Ortofon Music Bronze cartridge is much lower than that of the Music Blue, and its balance is much more neutral. 

This Ortofon Concorde Music Bronze cartridge favors neutrality, transparency, and timbre.

The Concorde Music Bronze stylus is also available separately.