Ortofon MC Sonic Evaluations

 



MC 5000

The black ceramic body, sintered at approximately 1,200 degrees Celsius, is a rigid structure that eliminates resonances in the audible range.

Mounted on a sapphire cantilever, Ortofon’s Nude Replicant diamond is cut to match the sapphire which cut the record groove as closely as possible.

MC 5000 is a highly accurate, analytical and neutral transducer.

All available information is retrieved from the grooves and music is crisply reproduced with palpable presence that converts your living room into a concert hall.

A reference-grade audio system is required to reveal these qualities.

Because output is relatively low, a high-performance MC transformer or MC preamplifier should be used. Recommended load: 20 – 100 Ohms.



MC Jubilee

The top of the line in Ortofon’s new reference series features entirely new exterior design and interior construction based on numerous technological advances in the service of your listening experience.

Interior redesign has resulted in a substantially increased output voltage of
340 µV.

The acclaimed, finely polished Nude Shibata diamond is mounted on a boron cantilever. MC Jubilee also incorporates Ortofon’s patented WRD (Wide Range Damping) system to ensure outstanding tracking ability.

Our listening panel’s notes: Amazing tonal neutrality, dynamics and purity of sound which set new standards for potency, detail, consistency and soundstaging.

A high performance MC transformer or MC preamplifier is required to take full advantage of these qualities.

MC Jubilee is fitted with 2.5 mm screw threads in the mounting base.

Recommended load: 100 Ohms or much higher, unless the ancillary system has bright tendencies.
 

MC Kontrapunkt a

This cartridge features Ortofon’s Nude Fine Line elliptical diamond mounted on an aluminium cantilever.

The listening panel recommends this model as the ideal choice for the afficionado who loves classical music, choral arrangements and acoustic jazz that require perfect balance and consistency from the deepest bass, across the crucial midrange and up through the highest high’s.

The same high output as Kontrapunkt b ensures an outstanding signal-to-noise ratio even with MC inputs with lower gain.

Recommended load: 50 - 500 Ohms.



MC Kontrapunkt b

The exterior design of the matt stainless steel body signals close kinship with MC Jubilee.

Featuring a slim-line nude FG 80 diamond mounted on a ruby cantilever, Kontrapunkt b delivers a lively, airy upper frequency range with richly etched detail to bring out the subtlest overtones. The bass has weight with resolution and authority that make the cartridge suitable for large-scale works of all genres.

One contributing factor is the much higher 470 µV output.

Kontrapunkt b is fitted with 2.5 mm screw threads in the mounting base.

Recommended load: 50 - 100 Ohms.




Kontrapunkt c

The conical aluminium cantilever is fitted with a Nude FG 80 diamond stylus. Our listening panel concludes: Kontrapunkt c is a true high end reference cartridge, conveying music with supreme precision, impact and dynamics. Its stereo imaging capabilities illuminate the furthest corners of the soundstage in all three dimensions.

A high-resolution audio system is required to fully realize the information retrieval potential of this cartridge.

Recommended load: 50 – 100 Ohms. For enhanced openness – as high as 1,000 Ohms.


Kontrapunkt h

This model features the same Nude Fine Line elliptical diamond stylus mounted on an aluminium cantilever as Kontrapunkt a.

This cartridge employs Ortofon’s innovative FSE (Field Stabilizing Element) for exceptionally open bass and midrange with smooth, natural overtones. Recommended to enthusiasts who value tonally neutral reproduction of high-quality recordings over the more expressive handling of dynamic high-frequency detail of the Kontrapunkt c.

Recommended load: 100 Ohms or higher, depending on the desired degree of openness.
 

MC Rohmann

Named after Ortofon’s former managing director, in honour of many years of service, this cartridge is milled from a solid block of aluminium. The dark blue anodised body exploits aluminium’s special damping characteristics to suppress resonance.

The slim-line Nude Orto-Line diamond ensures flawless tracking of even the most dynamic passages. MC Rohmann conveys the full range of detail and subtle nuance, even when a powerful brass section competes with the fine nuances of quieter instruments such as the flute or harpsichord.

MC Rohmann is fitted with 2.5 mm screw threads in the mounting base.

A high performance MC transformer or MC preamplifier is recommended.

Recommended load: 100 Ohms or more.