What you are buying
One complete Ortofon Cadenza Black cartridge with its fixed stylus assembly. A separate compatible headshell or tonearm mount and MC phono amplification are required.
Ortofon MC Cadenza Black Phono Cartridge
Low-output moving-coil cartridge
The Cadenza range's Shibata and boron combination, with the highest specified channel separation in the range.
- Nude Shibata · Boron cantilever
- 0.33 mV MC output · 2.3 g tracking
- Half-inch · 10.7 g
- $3,199.99
- $3,199.99
- Unit price
- per
Special order
Ordered for you from Ortofon. Typical turnaround: 3–5 business days, subject to manufacturer availability.
Order within
Request a restock update
ⓘ
Cutoff: 1 PM ET Monday–Friday; noon Saturday. No shipping Sundays or federal holidays. Exceptions may apply.Low-output MC phono stage required · half-inch · 10.7 g
Will this fit my setup?Ortofon MC Cadenza Black Phono Cartridge$3,199.99
Check compatibility and the refund policy before opening or installing. Return restrictions
Need help checking fit? Ask Audio Exchange · Shipping details
Complimentary express shipping
Return restrictions
Check compatibility and the refund policy before opening or installing.
The Ortofon Cadenza Black moving coil cartridge combines a nude Shibata diamond with a boron cantilever and Aucurum coil wire. This is the Shibata configuration in the Cadenza range, with higher specified channel separation than the other Cadenza models.
The Cadenza Shibata and boron combination
Black changes both the stylus assembly and operating specifications from Bronze. Its recommended tracking force and output differ, so it deserves a fresh setup and phono-stage check when replacing another cartridge. Choose it for this complete design rather than expecting to fit a Black stylus to another Cadenza body.
Choosing an Ortofon cartridge or stylus? Our Ortofon cartridge buying guide explains fit, model differences and supported upgrade paths so you can choose the right assembly for your setup.
Compatibility & setup
Check compatibility
Half-inch mounting; cartridge weight 10.7 g. Check headshell fit, cartridge height, counterweight capacity and tonearm matching. Use suitable low-output MC amplification for 0.33 mV output; Ortofon's recommended load is > 10 Ω. A correctly matched step-up transformer feeding an MM phono stage is another option.
Installation
Mount and align using your tonearm and Ortofon instructions, protecting the stylus while handling. Balance the arm and verify 2.3 g tracking force with a gauge, then set anti-skate and arm height as instructed. Ask Audio Exchange for help checking alignment, gain and loading.
Specifications
- Cartridge type
- Low-output moving coil
- Diamond profile
- Nude Shibata
- Cantilever
- Boron
- Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec
- 0.33 mV
- Recommended tracking force
- 2.3 g
- Mounting
- Half-inch
- Cartridge weight
- 10.7 g
- Recommended load resistance
- > 10 Ω
- Channel balance at 1 kHz
- < 0.8 dB
- Channel separation at 1 kHz
- > 27 dB
- Frequency response, 20 Hz–20 kHz
- +1.5/0 dB
- Tracking ability at 315 Hz
- 90 µm
- Dynamic lateral compliance
- 16 µm/mN
- Stylus tip radius
- r/R 6/50 µm
- Tracking force range
- 2.0–2.5 g
- Tracking angle
- 20°
- Internal impedance / DC resistance
- 5 Ω
- Coil wire material
- Aucurum Coil Wire
- Body construction
- Aluminium Stainless steel
Compare your options
Ortofon Cadenza Red Moving Coil Cartridge
$1,599.99 Special order
- Nude Fine Line · Aluminium cantilever
- 0.45 mV MC output · 2.5 g tracking
- Half-inch · 10.7 g
Fine Line tracing with an aluminium cantilever and the Cadenza range's warmer balance.
Ortofon Cadenza Blue Moving Coil Cartridge
$2,139.99 Special order
- Nude FG70 · Ruby cantilever
- 0.5 mV MC output · 2.5 g tracking
- Half-inch · 10.7 g
An FG70 diamond and ruby cantilever distinguish Blue within the Cadenza range.
Ortofon Cadenza Bronze Moving Coil Cartridge
$2,599.99 Special order
- Nude Replicant 100 · Conical aluminium cantilever
- 0.4 mV MC output · 2.5 g tracking
- Half-inch · 10.7 g
Replicant 100 tracing on a conical aluminium cantilever, with Aucurum coil wire.
Ortofon MC Cadenza Black Phono Cartridge
$3,199.99 Special order
- Nude Shibata · Boron cantilever
- 0.33 mV MC output · 2.3 g tracking
- Half-inch · 10.7 g
The Cadenza range's Shibata and boron combination, with the highest specified channel separation in the range.
Questions before ordering
What phono stage do I need?
Use a phono stage with sufficient gain for the cartridge's low MC output and loading within its recommended range, or a suitably matched step-up transformer feeding an MM phono stage. An MM-only input on its own is not the intended match. Send Audio Exchange your phono-stage model for help checking the combination.
Will this fit my tonearm?
Check the cartridge's mounting, height, weight and compliance against your tonearm and counterweight specifications. Most models here mount to a half-inch headshell; Xpression is a different, integrated pickup-head format. Ask Audio Exchange with your turntable and tonearm model before ordering if you are unsure.
Can I replace the stylus or change grades myself?
These moving-coil cartridges do not use a user-replaceable stylus assembly. Changing grades means changing the cartridge, rather than fitting a 2M or Concorde stylus. Contact Audio Exchange about current Ortofon repair or exchange options; eligibility and pricing must be confirmed.
Shipping & returns
Shipping and availability
Ordered for you from Ortofon. Typical turnaround: 3–5 business days, subject to manufacturer availability.
Before opening or installing
Review the full refund policy and confirm compatibility before opening or installing a cartridge or stylus. Contact us if you need clarification about return eligibility.
Ask Audio Exchange Check compatibility / Restock update
Send a request to Audio Exchange. Our team will reply by email. A restock request does not reserve stock or place an order.
Related Products
Recently Viewed Products
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.