Ortofon Quintet Red Cartridge

The Ortofon Quintet Red is a moving coil (MC) cartridge designed for audiophiles looking to experience the superior detail, accuracy, and dynamic range that moving coil cartridges offer, at an accessible price point. Part of Ortofon’s Quintet series, the Quintet Red is an excellent entry-level MC option, offering a significant upgrade in sound quality over moving magnet (MM) cartridges like the 2M Red and 2M Blue. It is especially well-suited for users seeking a more nuanced, transparent, and rich listening experience from their vinyl records.

Sound Performance:

The Ortofon Quintet Red offers an excellent balance of tonal warmth and precision. With its moving coil design, it delivers a greater sense of depth and clarity across the entire frequency range. The low end is tight and controlled, offering more power and definition than typical MM cartridges, while the midrange is rich and detailed, providing a natural and engaging listening experience. The high frequencies are crisp but not harsh, offering a sense of air and openness without introducing sibilance. Overall, the Quintet Red provides a more vivid, immersive sound than MM alternatives, with a focus on transparency and accuracy.

Conclusion:

The Ortofon Quintet Red is an outstanding choice for audiophiles looking to upgrade to a moving coil cartridge without investing in high-end models. Its dynamic range, clarity, and musicality make it a highly recommended option for those with turntables and preamps capable of supporting an MC cartridge. Whether you're upgrading from a moving magnet cartridge or just starting to explore the world of moving coil cartridges, the Quintet Red offers a fantastic entry point into the realm of high-quality analog sound.

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
  65 µm
• Compliance, dynamic, lateral
  15 µm/mN
• Stylus type
  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
• Cartridge body material
  PC
• Cartridge colour
  Red
• Cartridge weight
  9 g