Nothing demonstrates Ortofon’s long-standing resilience more than its commitment to the refinement of analogue sound quality and its continued development of new cartridge models. Since 1948 Ortofon have introduced about 100 different moving coil models, with their latest being the Quintet Series. Ortofon believe the cartridges in this new series are more than worthy successors to the long line of models that have made Ortofon the global leader in the manufacturing and supplying of phono cartridges. The Quintet Black S is graced with a Nude Shibata diamond, considered one of the best stylus profiles available, mounted on a high-performance sapphire cantilever. The Shibata’s slim, highly polished profile allows an exceedingly wide contact area to the walls of the groove and ensures detailed and pure reproduction through out the spectrum, including even the most high frequency groove details. The Quintet Black S is unfettered by musical genre and will give the closest approach within the Quintet series to Ortofon’s true accuracy in sound. The MC Quintet Series is congruent with Ortofon’s unrelenting commitment to providing the most precise and accurate reproduction possible without colouration. Key Features: Light weight and durable cartridge body made from a special ABS (Acrylonitrile/Butadiene/Styrene) thermoplastic material Neodymium magnets are implemented to achieve an optimal output Produces detailed and pure reproduction though-out the spectrum, volume and soundstage Low internal impedance makes the cartridge less sensitive to load and therefore ensures compatibility with the widest range of preamps and transformers Supplied with 2 screws (M2.5 x 5) Nude Shibata stylus profile Reviews Hi-Fi Choice, July 2017 Reviewed By: Ed Selley Featured: Group Test: Moving Coil Cartridges £650 – £1000 Sound Quality: 5 Stars Value For Money: 5 Stars Build Quality: 4.5 Stars Features: 4.5 Stars Overall Score: 4.5 Stars, Recommended Comments of Note: “the Ortofon reveals itself to be a highly distinctive yet talented performer” “The result is that it renders the piano in Hypocrite with huge power and a real sense of the weight and scale that the instrument is capable of.” “This is a very big and effortless-sounding cartridge.” “Vocals are given presence and detail, but without losing their relationship to the supporting musicians.” “The whole track feels very immediate and live, which is helped in no small part by the handling of dynamics. This is an area in particular that the Ortofon excels at.” “The sense of timing and rhythmic assurance is also extremely good” “the Ortofon still has to be seen as superb value for money at the price” “LIKE: Refined, powerful and agile presentation; solid build; excellent value” “WE SAY: A superbly balanced all-round cartridge at an extremely competitive price point” Hi-Fi World Awards, January 2015 Best Cartridge 2014 Award Comments of Note: “the Quintet Black proved itself something of an audiophile bargain – with a decorum and an air of quality unusual at this price point.” “On Tchaikovsky’s ‘1812 Overture’ the Ortofon was in its element. Violins had a satisfying rasp while the canon going off seemingly had enough impact to cause damage to the listening room.” “The Ortofon Black undoubtedly posses the sonic class and all-round ability of some cartridges costing significantly more.” Specs Output Voltage (at 1kHz, 5cm/sec): 0.3mV Channel Balance at 1kHz: <1.0dB Channel Separation at 1kHz: >23dB Channel Separation at 15kHz: >15dB Frequency Range (at -3dB): 20 Hz – 25 kHz Frequency Response 20Hz – 20kHz: ± 1.5dB Tracking Ability at 315Hz: 80μm Compliance, Dynamic, Lateral: 15μm / mN Stylus Type: Nude Shibata Stylus Tip Radius r / R: 6 / 50μm Tracking Force Range: 2.1 – 2.5g (21 – 25mN) Recommended Tracking Force: 2.3g (23mN) Tracking Angle: 20º Internal Impedance / DC Resistance: 5Ω Recommended Load Impedance: >20Ω Cartridge Body Material: ABS/Alu. Coil Wire Material: Aucurum Cartridge Colour: Black Cartridge Weight: 9g
