This product is no longer available to order and will not be coming back into stock.
In Stock products are those that are currently held in stock at our Oxfordshire warehouse. This stock status is updated regularly but is subject to change at very short notice.
Products that are Awaiting Stock are items that we would normally carry on stock at our Oxfordshire warehouse, but are currently unavailable. Chances are there is already more on the way, but if you would like a more accurate availability status please feel free to Contact Us.
Urgent order items are products that we do not normally carry on stock, but they are typically held on stock by our European suppliers. Depending on availability, we will seek to order these products quickly, when we have an enquiry. They can therefore be subject to quicker availability times than "Special Order" products.
Special Order items are those that are most often built to order. For these items, we tend to experience longer lead times as we negotiate them into the production line with our suppliers.
Exclusive products are sold only through one, or sometimes a very small number of dealers. As part of their commitment to the product’s exclusivity, they carry most of the available stock. To find out your best dealer for this product and to check its availability with them, click the ‘Recommended Dealers’ button under the product gallery on this page.
As with all modern Ortofon ranges, the second cartridge in the Cadenza Series is the Blue model. The Cadenza Blue is a high-quality cartridge that boasts a Nude FG 70 stylus with a very thin ruby cantilever. The improved winding process of the armature ensures better channel balance than any model that came before it at the price. The styling is the same as adorned by it's kin, and the build-quality reflects Ortofon's 100% commitment to a reputable product, and happy customers.
The soundstage of the Cadenza Blue is wide, open and grandiose as soon as you take it out of the box. Micro dynamics and ambience will be evident when listening to complex compositions creating a full and involving performance. The Blue also reaches a very high degree of detail and positioning. It is a true to the music cartridge with a tremendous clarity.
The Cadenza range consists of four core colour models along with a Mono version. With top-of-the-range technologies throughout, and a consistent high-quality standard in production, this iconic series from Ortofon truly are one of the most versatile and capable ranges of phono cartridges on the market today. For more information about the shared Cadenza elements across the range as a whole CLICK HERE
Four Tips
"The Blue...had striking insight and a vividly fast and detailed delivery..."
HiFi News, Yearbook 2010
"...this cartridge really seemed able to convey the endless subtleties of shading and nuance..."
Henley Says...
The Ortofon Cadenza series represents the pinnacle of the ‘Red, Blue, Bronze, Black’ upgrade path, taking the same principles of step-by-step refinement and applying them to a truly high-end moving coil range. Offering greater dynamics, resolution, and musicality, the Cadenza series delivers an uncompromising level of performance that brings records to life with breathtaking realism.
As the final stop before Ortofon’s Exclusive Series, the Cadenza range is where cutting-edge materials and flagship trickle-down technologies meet accessibility. Each model has been carefully voiced to offer distinct sonic characteristics, ensuring there’s a perfect match for every system and musical preference.
A firm favourite in our showroom for mid-to-high-end turntable demonstrations, we’re always impressed by how effortlessly the Cadenza series extracts detail, nuance, and emotion from a recording. Whether you’re after warmth, precision, or the ultimate balance, these cartridges offer a truly elevated listening experience.
Cartridge installation takes time and requires a level of understanding for the turntable/tonearm you are fiiting to. We've put together some comprehensive advice and size guides, available here, which will help you through each step of the procedure.
However, if at any time you feel uncomfortable with the task at hand, be sure to contact us or your local retailer for assistance.
Moving Coil (MC) cartridges generate an electrical signal by moving a tightly wound coil between two magnets. The movement is created by the cantilever, which houses the diamond stylus at its end and rides within the modulations of a record groove.
As opposed to Moving Magnet (MM) cartridges, MC designs are more difficult to produce - but often result in a more nuanced sound. For that reason, they are also often more expensive and boast better components than MM designs.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the powerful magnet inside, Moving Coil cartridges cannot be installed on turntables with magnetic (i.e. steel) platters.
For more on cartridge technology, read our informative article.
The Ortofon Moving Coil Cartridge Exchange Scheme is designed to help existing Ortofon customers update or renew their Moving Coil cartridge in a much more cost-effective way.
Through the scheme, Ortofon offer a trade-in value for the current range of moving coil cartridges, as well as an extensive list of discontinued models. Through this program, we are able to help customers upgrade, replace or slightly downgrade their current phono cartridge in a more economical way than usual.
