Introduction

Welcome to our Ortofon Cadenza Black Cartridge Review, where we dissect the latest moving-coil marvel from Ortofon that’s taking audiophile circles by storm. If you’re chasing the ultimate in vinyl fidelity—complete with impeccable detail retrieval, a rock-solid stereo image and ultra-low noise—you’ve come to the right place.

Featuring a nude Shibata stylus mounted on a boron cantilever, Ortofon’s Cadenza Black combines exquisite craftsmanship with cutting-edge materials. In this in-depth review, we’ll explore its design, performance, who it’s for and subtle ways to speak with our team at The Audio Tailor for a tailored consultation.

Design & Build Quality

At just 10.7 grams, the Cadenza Black’s cartridge body is a seamless fusion of stainless steel and aluminium. Its sleek black finish is not only handsome but engineered for stability and resonance control:

• Nude Shibata Stylus: Offers an extended contact surface for both inner and outer grooves, revealing micro-information often lost with conical tips.
• Boron Cantilever: Exceptionally rigid and lightweight, ensuring rapid transient response and minimal energy storage.
• Ortofon Aucurum Wire: Gold-plated 6NX copper coils deliver exceptional conductivity and signal integrity.
• Wide Range Damping (WRD): Independent high- and low-frequency modulation keeps resonance behaviour linear across the audible band.

Technical Performance & Sound Character

The Cadenza Black is built for the purist. With a 0.33 mV output voltage and channel separation exceeding 27 dB at 1 kHz, it sets a new benchmark in sonic clarity.

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz–60 kHz (–3 dB). Expect vivid highs without any harshness, plus weighty, controlled bass extension.
• Channel Balance & Separation: < 0.8 dB imbalance and > 20 dB separation up to 15 kHz. The result is a wide, holographic soundstage with pinpoint imaging.
• Tracking Ability: 90 µm at 315 Hz (recommended 2.3 g tracking force). The dynamic compliance system ensures groove fidelity, even on warped or heavily modulated pressings.
• Noise Floor & Distortion: Ultra-low inherent noise thanks to the moving-coil architecture and Aucurum wire. Your vinyl plays back with astonishing purity.

In musical terms, the Cadenza Black excels at conveying a performer’s natural tone and ambience. Orchestral crescendos, complex jazz trios and delicate vocal nuances all come through with authority and finesse.

Who Should Consider the Ortofon Cadenza Black?

This cartridge is aimed at serious vinyl aficionados and professionals who demand:

• Maximal detail retrieval in both macro- and micro-dynamics.
• Long listening sessions with fatigue-free treble and controlled bass.
• Seamless integration into high-gain, low-noise MC preamplifiers.
• A robust build that stays perfectly aligned over years of playback.

If you’re upgrading from an entry-level MC or high-end MM, the leap in transparency, cohesion and overall musicality is palpable. To find out if your tonearm and phono stage are optimally matched, visit our product page or speak with our team for tailored advice.

Pros & Cons

• Pros:
  • Exquisite detail and microdynamics via Nude Shibata stylus.
  • Outstanding channel separation and soundstage width.
  • Ultra-low noise floor and distortion for pristine playback.
  • Rigid boron cantilever ensures lightning-fast transient response.
  • Durable, high-quality materials promise longevity.
• Cons:
  • Low 0.33 mV output requires a quality MC phono stage or step-up transformer.
  • Premium price point—investment-level cartridge.

Setting Your Vinyl Library Ablaze

The Ortofon Cadenza Black Cartridge is more than just a hi-fi upgrade—it’s a revelation. From the whispering silk of a soprano’s highest notes to the thunderous weight of orchestral timpani, every aspect of your collection is revitalised. If you crave vinyl playback that feels as alive as the day it was recorded, this is your cartridge.

For a personalised demonstration, or to discuss how the Cadenza Black can transform your system, don’t hesitate to contact our specialists. Call us on 1300 308 711 or email sales@theaudiotailor.com.au. Your next level of sonic fidelity awaits.