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Model: | Cadenza Black |
Category: | Phono Cartridge |
Suggested Retail Price: | $2600 |
Description: | Low output moving coil |
Manufacturer URL: | Ortofon |
Review by Paul Tobin on November 01, 2013 at 19:06:39 IP Address: 202.164.204.60 | Add Your Review for the Cadenza Black |
The Cadenza Black is my 3rd Ortofon, having owned a Jubilee for many years (which I used alongside the Denon 103R) before upgrading to the A90 in 2010- see review here. I loved that A90 cartridge for its amazing clarity and insight into recordings but when a domestic expense unexpectedly came up, I sold the A90 and went back to the wood bodied Denon without any great pains of regret. The Denon was still thoroughly enjoyable though I knew it was a far more 'colored' cartridge than the Jubilee or A90. As I changed various components in my system (entire amplifier chain and speakers changed since the A90) this started to bug me more. So I began a series of mods - aluminium body, Soundsmith ruby cantilever/line contact, epoxy potting - in an effort to reduce coloration while retaining the Denon's musical engagement. I thought I'd finally reached satisfaction with my final modded 103R.....then on whim I installed my aging Jubilee in the system and played a piano recording. The Jubilee simply killed the 103R for tonal balance and realistic reproduction. So I bought the Cadenza Black.
The Black is Ortofon's replacement for the Jubilee and the two cartridges appear physically very similar. The external body, boron cantilever and Shibata stylus appear to be the same. From what I can gather, the changes with the Black involve the cartridge motor, specifically the armature and coils. While the Jubilee had silver coils the wire used in the Black is Ortofon's gold plated copper. Output for the Black is 0.33mV vs 0.34 for the Jubilee. Compliance for both cartridges is specced the same at 16 µm/mN.
I've got the Black installed in a Graham Phantom II tonearm on my upgraded VPI TNT (see system link). I'm using the Choir Audio/Hashimoto SUT which gives a reflected load of about 52 ohms to the cartridge. At the recommended 2.3g tracking force, the Black has superb tracking performance. Surface noise is very low. Like the Jubilee, I think the Black is somewhat less fussy with exact setup compared to the A90 - though its probably best to have a arm adjustable in all parameters to properly optimize its sound. I didn't find it difficult to dial in and in fact it sounded excellent from the start without micro adjustment (though of course I was as precise as possible with initial setup).
The Black allows a wide soundstage with fine placement in depth and very good image focus. Its neutrality and detail don't undermine lesser quality records - but reveal them in their best light. If memory serves me correctly, the A90 had a similar disposition.
Compared to the Jubilee the Black sounds more transparent overall and especially in the highs. The Black is more like my memory of the A90, more 'see into' clarity and liveliness. The Jubilee, depending on material, could sound reticent making me want to crank the volume to boost liveliness.
Probably the first dozen records I played were classical music as I was enamoured with the Black's natural and even tonal balance. Despite it's openness and clarity, there is no tendency to brightness - closely miked violin sounds superb and massed strings are wonderful. Piano, so difficult to get right, sounds spot on. If you are a piano fan this is a great cartridge.
From there I mined my jazz, pop and rock records - and the Black sounds superb and insightful on everything. Bass is solid and taut with great touch and detail. Voices, both male and female sound natural with realistic 'body', expressiveness and 'thereness' - but with no edge, hype or tendency to sibilance. Difficult instruments like trumpet and other brass sound wonderfully real. Cymbals and chimes have natural presence and realism without hype or forwardness. The overall sound is satisfying to both the heart and the head - it gives you the music with finesse, flow and expression but with neutrality and precision.
I really haven't got anything bad to say about this cartridge, it sounds fantastic on all types of music, tracks superbly and is not overly fussy or difficult to accommodate. The price, while not cheap, has not lost touch with reality. I do wonder how the A90 would sound in my current system though.
Product Weakness: | Nothing really. Low output requires suitable step-up/gain. Shibata stylus requires reasonable care in setup but not overly fussy. |
Product Strengths: | Tonal evenness and neutrality give very natural reproduction. Very good clarity and transparency. Superb tracking. |
Amplifier: | Audio Research VS55 |
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Cary PH302 Phono/Audio Research SP16 |
Sources (CDP/Turntable): | VPI TNT/Graham Phantom |
Speakers: | Harbeth M30.1 |
Cables/Interconnects: | Silver Audio/Chris VH DIY silver/Goertz |
Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Classical, jazz, pop, rock |
Room Size (LxWxH): | 6m x 4.3m x 2.7m |
Room Comments/Treatments: | Jon Risch DIY panels/bass traps |
Time Period/Length of Audition: | About 50hrs |
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): | Audience AR2P-TO |
Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
I was happy with a Dynavector 17D3 for years in my Nottingham 294 table and arm. I did miss the fullest, lowest sounds, I thought but then I'm a bass nut. Got a deal on the Black and am glad I spent the money. It's used with an Einstein Turntables Choice (one of the best pieces of equipment I own), C-J CT 5 , Quicksilver 88 monos and Reference 3 A Grand Veenas(the older model with the Murata supertweeter and silk dome tweeter). The precise clarity, quickness and dynamics are outstanding. The Einstein's exceptional speed and superb even tone spectrum is fully utilized. Great bass with firmness and snap. Treble goes on forever easily and smoothly.
Thanks for a comprehensive review. I`m in full agreement with you regarding the virtues of the Cadenza Black.
Reg. your Jubilee: Ortofon offers a complete rebuild of all their top carts including the Jubilee where they basically puts in a new motor.
Check the website.
Rgds Jan
(dealer disclaimer)
Thanks Jan, I am aware of that.
Since the Black is better in several ways than the Jubilee, I'll hold off for a retip on the Black (or perhaps an improved model if one appears by then?).
System Details
Hi Paul
I think you have a very interesting SUT. I have been a bit interested in the Hashimoto HM 7 mc transformer. Is it the HM 7 in your Choir Audio SUT? How did you come to choose it?
Rgds Jan
Jan, Yes the SUT I have uses the HM7 Hashimoto transformers.
I chose the Choir Audio build after reading some positive user experiences in various forums. It works very well with both the Ortofon and Denon cartridges I use. The gain of the HM7 (1:30, 29dB) suits my low gain tube phono and provides a suitable 52 ohm reflected impedance for the 5 ohm Cadenza.
The built up Choir Audio model is fairly expensive, but (I believe) the transformers themselves are available from sources in Japan for DIY build.
How it stacks up against other options I couldn't say. It's far better than the (much cheaper) 'red' Cinemag equipped Bob's Devices model - but Bob's more expensive 'Blue' Cinemag model is supposedly much more competitive with the Hashimoto (but I've not heard that SUT - and perhaps it's gain options are not as suitable to my circumstances).
There seems to be lots of SUT options available at present and I have very limited experience.
Cheers, Paul
System Details
Why don,t you have Soundsmith retip your Jubilee? You spent big bucks on it and Soundsmith can make it new again. I had the top of the line ($350) rebuild done to my Benz wood body and it sounds better than new. The Ruby cantilever and line contact stylus seem to dig out more detail than the old Benz ever did. You might like the rebuilt cartridge as much or more than the Black!
Perhaps that's something I may do, though to be honest I couldn't see myself playing the Jubilee in preference to the Black.
The Black can do everything the Jubilee can, but also does several things better (as outlined).
I'd rather save my money for an eventual retip of the Black.
System Details
Can we say you really liked it?
I will have to stick to my "budget priced" Kontra B now that I am retired and that, somehow, I have this quaint notion that money should go towards essentials at this point.
Nice review, a change from some of the drivel seen on these pages and passed off as a review.
Thanks!
Hi Paul.
Thanks for that review. As a Jubilee owner I've been curious about any comparison with the Cadenza Black and its predecessor, the Jubilee. Useful info.
I agree with your comments re: Jubilee being somewhat "reticent". I might be tempted to use the term "polite". On the other hand it does retrieve lots of detail out of the record groove. And, perhaps, it tells a fair version of the truth.
But the harder we search for the audio truth, the more we realize that truth in recorded music is difficult to pin down. Even when we have access to master tapes we come to understand that what we hear is a version of the truth preferred by, perhaps that recording engineer. Or perhaps the "truth" preferred by the record producer. Or even the fiction that is enforced around the executive table. So truth is fleeting. I am coming to accept that what we must seek is a fiction that we enjoy. ;-)
-Steve
ps: listening to my old but not yet dead Jubilee as I type this:
and
Its what I heard during the brief session we had at your place. I would concur with your description. I remember it well.
The 103R on your TD-124 sounds much more pronounced and jumps out compared to the Jubilee. The type of recording and the particular system synergy would tend to mitigate this difference. Like all things its the source material and the rest of the system...including the room. Especially the room.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Steve, I've really enjoyed my Jubilee over the years, amazingly it still plays really well after a lot of use. One of the reasons I went for the Black is that it has the same Shibata stylus, so I'm hoping for a similar long and consistent life.FWIW, some months ago I actually bought a second low hours Jubilee (~50hr) from a person who purchased one NOS from William Thakker. That cartridge, while somewhat fresher sounding and perhaps a little cleaner tracking, sounded very similar to my well used example. I sold that Jubilee on as I was looking for something just a little different - which I found in the Black!
The great thing about the Black's extra clarity, transparency and liveliness (compared to the Jubilee) is that it doesn't come at the expense of any treble emphasis/brightness. The highs are more present/vivid, but it sounds more natural and realistic compared to the more laid back Jubilee.
BTW, nice turntable! Is that a Zeta arm?
System Details
Edits: 11/02/13
Yes it is a Zeta. The arm is a bit heavy for the Jubilee's compliance. Arm and cart resonate around 8hz. Marginal. But sq is good. Plus the Zeta does not impede musical energy, unlike some other arms. On the TD124, the cartridge does not sound as laid back as it did on my Teres.I'm using a 30:1 tap on the Beyer Dynamic step up trannies for this cartridge. Reflected load is around 52ohms. Really close to the 10 times internal cart resistance rule of thumb.
A different lens over the music compared to other arm/cart combinations I've tried.
-Steve
Edits: 11/02/13
and record, too. Nice photo. Very nice system also. And, nice write-up.
Yes the photos are outstanding.
But where is the dust, where is the dust?
Must live with a laminar airflow system in his sound room!
Plenty of dust here...but I like to keep my records clean and wipe things down before photographing.
I also avoid flash photography that shows up dust like crazy. ;)
System Details
Yes, just like this guy. It's disgusting, I tell you; disgusting.
Nice review. I have a question: does the Black have the raised center ridge and rear points on top like the A90? If so, does it mount OK on the Phantom? I have an A90, which I like. But I've never been totally satisfied with the way it mounts on my Phantom. That center ridge sticks into the Sorbothane insert and one of the rear points doesn't contact the headshell. Don't know how much sonic difference it makes, if any, but it bugs me.
Bill, yes the Black has the raised ridges - though they are not quite as pronounced as on the A90.
I used the A90 on the Phantom as well and the RH rear ridge (looking from the front) was completely outside the headshell area (see below). The same corner is outside the headshell with the Black. Since both cartridges can still be mounted very rigidly and sound fantastic, its hard to say what (if any) difference the third ridge would make.
Michael Fremer also used the Phantom in his A90 review and it didn't get a mention - so I guess he also thought it a non issue(?).
System Details
Thanks, Paul. I heard Bob Graham was using an A90 himself for a while.
.
"If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok
That body looks easy to mount and align. Plus, you can clearly see the cantilever at all times. I'd like to hear one some day.
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