Ortofon Quintet Blue Cartridge

The Ortofon Quintet Blue is a moving coil (MC) cartridge designed to offer audiophiles an exceptional listening experience, bridging the gap between the entry-level Quintet Red and the more advanced models in Ortofon's Quintet series. Known for its vibrant sound, rich tonal quality, and excellent dynamic range, the Quintet Blue provides a significant step up in terms of detail and clarity compared to MM cartridges and offers a refined balance of warmth and precision. It’s an excellent option for audiophiles looking to elevate their analog playback system without entering the high-end price range of more premium MC cartridges.

Sound Performance:

The Ortofon Quintet Blue offers an enhanced level of transparency, with a vivid and detailed presentation that makes music feel alive. The bass is tight and controlled, providing a foundation that is deep yet clear, while the midrange is smooth and rich, with excellent texture and emotion. High frequencies are crisp, extended, and well-defined, without being harsh or overly bright. Overall, the Quintet Blue provides a balanced, musical, and engaging listening experience, making it an excellent option for audiophiles looking to extract more depth and detail from their vinyl records.

Conclusion:

The Ortofon Quintet Blue is an outstanding choice for those looking to upgrade from MM cartridges or entry-level MC options like the Quintet Red. Offering an excellent balance of detail, warmth, and dynamic range, it delivers a highly refined listening experience that brings out the nuances in your music. While it may not reach the lofty heights of Ortofon’s higher-tier MC cartridges, the Quintet Blue provides exceptional value and performance in its price range. It’s ideal for audiophiles looking to experience the superior sound quality of moving coil technology without the higher cost of premium models.

Specifications:

• Channel balance at 1 kHz
  < 1.5 dB
• Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5cm/sec
  0.5 mV
• Channel separation at 1 kHz
  > 21 dB
• Frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz
  +/- 2.5 dB
• Tracking ability at 315Hz
  70 µm
• Compliance, dynamic, lateral
  15 µm/mN
• Stylus type
  Nude Elliptical
• Stylus tip radius
  r/R 8/18 µm
• Tracking force range
  2.1-2.5 g
• Tracking force, recommended
  2.3 g
• Tracking angle
  20°
• Internal impedance, DC resistance
  7 Ohm
• Recommended load impedance
  > 20 Ohm
• Coil wire material
  Pure 4-nines silver
• Cartridge body material
  PC
• Cartridge colour
  Blue
• Cartridge weight
  9 g