Ortofon Hifi MC QUINTET RED

An MC Cartridge Designed to Take Listening Quality to the Next Level

This MC (Moving Coil) phono cartridge is aimed at vinyl enthusiasts seeking a livelier and more precise listening experience than many consumer-grade solutions. By nature, MC technology favors response speed, micro-dynamics, and definition, at the cost of a lower output level that requires appropriate amplification. Its positioning is clear: to offer expressive and balanced playback, with a refined sonic signature and excellent tonal coherence, all in a format compatible with a wide variety of arms and turntables.

For Whom and in What Uses?

This cartridge is ideal for users optimizing their vinyl chain (turntable, arm, settings, phono preamp) and wanting to enjoy a notable gain in detail on vocals, reverbs, string attacks, or drum transients. It is perfectly suited for Hi-Fi listening at home, a studio vinyl corner, or a fixed installation focused on quality.

In a DJ context, it is more suited to selections focused on listening and musicality (lounge sets, listening bars, premium events) than to practices requiring strong mechanical constraints. For intensive back-cueing or scratching, other cartridge families are generally preferred. Here, the goal is playback fidelity and rendering stability, provided alignment, antiskating, and tracking force are carefully adjusted.

Features and Innovations

The combination of elliptical diamond and aluminum cantilever aims for an excellent compromise between precision and tolerance. The elliptical profile improves high-frequency reading and micro-information clarity while remaining easier to set up than some highly advanced profiles. Performance-wise, channel balance and stereo separation contribute to a well-centered image, with an airy soundstage and clearer instrument localization.

With an output voltage of 0.5 mV (at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec), this cartridge is intended for a phono preamp compatible with MC or a step-up transformer depending on your system. Its internal impedance and recommended load facilitate coherent integration into a serious vinyl chain, seeking a balance between dynamics, operational silence, and bass articulation. Finally, the tracking force range and stylus angle allow precise adjustment, essential to get the best frequency response and limit record wear.

Technical specifications

DJing type	Monitoring	Diamond tip	elliptical
Category	cell	Color	Red
Type	cell	Quantity	1
Destination	hifi, DJ

Output voltage at 1 kHz 5 cm/sec	0.5 mV	Lateral compliance, dynamic	15 µm/mN
Diamond	Elliptical	Tracking force range	2.1-2.5 g (21-25 mN)
Cantilever	Aluminum	Recommended tracking force	2.3 g (23 mN)
Stylus tip radius	r/R 8/18 µm	Internal impedance	7 Ohms
Tracking angle	20 degrees	Recommended load impedance	greater than 20 Ohms
Channel balance	less than 1.5 dB	Cartridge body material	ABS/Aluminum
Channel separation at 1 kHz	greater than 21 dB	Coil wire material	Copper
Channel separation at 15 kHz	greater than 14 dB	Cartridge color	Red
Frequency response 20-20,000 Hz	+/-2.5 dB	Cartridge weight	9 g
Tracking capacity (315 Hz with recommended tracking force)	65 µm