accuracy in soundMC Quintet
Mono
MC Q Mono
0.3 mV
20-25.000 Hz± 2.0 dB

2MC Quintet
Red
MC Q 50.5 mV< 1.5 dB
> 21 dB> 14 dB
20-25.000 Hz± 2.5 dB

MC Quintet
Blue
MC Q 100.5 mV< 1.5 dB
> 21 dB> 14 dB
20-25.000 Hz± 2.5 dB

MC Quintet
BronzeMC Q 20
0.3 mV< 1.2 dB
> 23 dB> 15 dB
20-25.000 Hz± 1.5 dB

MC Quintet
Black SMC Q 30 S
0.3 mV< 1.0 dB
> 23 dB> 15 dB
20-25.000 Hz± 1.5 dB

Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5 cm/sec.
Channel balance at 1 kHz
Channel separation at 1 kHz
Channel separation at 15 kHz
Frequency range at -3 dB
Frequency response 20-20.000 Hz
Tracking ability at 315 Hz
70 µm
65 µm
70 µm
80 µm
80 µm
at recommended tracking force*)
Compliance, dynamic, lateral
15 µm/mN
15 µm/mN
15 µm/mN
15 µm/mN
15 µm/mN
Stylus type
Nude Elliptical
Elliptical
Nude Elliptical
Nude Fine Line
Nude Shibata
Stylus tip radiusr/R 8/18 µm
r/R 8/18 µm
r/R 8/18 µm
r/R 8/40 µm
r/R 6/50 µm
Tracking force range2.1-2.5 g (21-25 mN) 2.1-2.5 g (21-25 mN) 2.1-2.5 g (21-25 mN) 2.1-2.5 g (21-25 mN) 2.1-2.5 g (21-25 mN)
Tracking force, recommended
2.3 g (23 mN)
2.3 g (23 mN)
2.3 g (23 mN)
2.3 g (23 mN)
2.3 g (23 mN)
Tracking angle
20°
20°
20°
20°
20°
Internal impedance, DC resistance
5 Ohm
7 Ohm
7 Ohm
5 Ohm
5 Ohm
Recommended load impedance> 20 Ohm> 20 Ohm> 20 Ohm> 20 Ohm> 20 Ohm
Cartridge body material
ABS/Alu.
ABS/Alu.
ABS/Alu.
ABS/Alu.
ABS/Alu.
Cartridge colourWhiteRedBlueBronze
BlackCartridge weight9g9g9g9g9g*) Typical value					

3About the Ortofon MC Quintet Series cartridges
Thank you for choosing the Ortofon Quintet moving coil cartridge system for high performancesound reproduction of your favourite analogue records.
Our company has been working with sound reproduction since 1918. Ortofon developed its
first phono cartridge in 1948, since then more than 300 different phono cartridges have been
engineered and manufactured. Reflecting our extensive experience in industrial design andtechnological knowhow we have become the global leader in the manufacture and supply ofphono cartridges.
The MC Quintet Series has been engineered in accordance with the highest standards and iscongruent with Ortofon’s unrelenting commitment to providing the most precise and accurate
reproduction possible without coloration. Each of the five Quintet Series cartridges has its
individual sonic expression, and all five models together represent the ensemble of five classic
variations:
MC Quintet Mono / MC Q Mono	is a true mono cartridge for playing mono microgroove
vinyl records.
MC Quintet Red / MC Q 5	is an all-purpose cartridge that delivers open, dynamic
sound with a slight touch of warmth.
MC Quintet Blue / MC Q 10	adds more dynamics and resolution, sounds more open
and reproduces more details.
MC Quintet Bronze / MC Q 20	adds even more details and resolution but in a very
evenhanded way that pays respect to all elements.
MC Quintet Black S / MC Q 30 S	is the best of everything, true to the groove with resolution
and accurate insight into each recording.
It is our aim to bring you many hours of new and surprising experience in listening to yourprecious vinyl collection.

45

Mounting the cartridge

Cartridge front viewConnecting
Please correlate the colour code for the terminals on the drawing with the colour codings on thecartridge.
The terminals for right and left channel have the same position as normal for Ortofon cartridges.
We recommend to mount the enclosed lead wires on cartridge and tonearm before aligning andcalibrating the cartridge.
The length of the enclosed lead wires will fit a distance between cartridge and tonearm terminals
of 35 mm, which will work with most head shells.

Mounting
For mounting the cartridge to the headshell you have 2 pairs of screws at your disposal. It is ofgreat importance to use the right length of screws when mounting the cartridge. Using too longscrews may stop the screws inside the cartridge resulting in insufficient mounting in the headshelland may damage the cartridge.

Cartridge back view

The choice of screw length is depending on the thickness of the headshell, and a maximum of
2.5 mm free screw length under the headshell:- for headshells up to 3.5 mm use 5 mm screws.
- for headshells with the thickness over 3.5 mm use the 7 mm screws.
Mount the cartridge loosely to the headshell at this moment.
Quintet Mono uses a strapped output to deliver the same output signal from both sets of polepins. This effectively eliminates the need for mono-specific equipment, making it possible to enjoy
true mono reproduction on any stereo playback system.

6Fig. 1

Red R+White L+

Green RG

Blue LG

7

Azimuth, vertical alignment

Cartridge top view

Azimuth adjustment or vertical alignment of the cartridge is very important for optimal channel
separation.
The checking is easily done by lowering the cartridge onto a thin mirror placed on the record
surface and examining whether the reflection lines up square with the cartridge, when viewed
from the front.
During this test tonearm must still be parallel to the record surface. If not obtainable because ofmirror thickness, remove record and work directly on the mat.
If alignment is still incorrect and not adjustable because of fixed headshell, the only solution is toresort to packing on one side of the head-shell.
Cartridge front view

Warning
This phono cartridge is only for mounting on tonearms and must not be used for other purposes.

Cartridge
front lines

Record8Fig. 2

Reflected
image

9

Tonearm level, vertical tracking angle

Stylus care

Cartridges are constructed so that cantilever angle corresponds to the 20 deg. record cutting
angle, when the cartridge is loaded with recommended tracking force and the cartridge base isparallel with the tonearm and this again is parallel to the record surface.

Ortofon does not recommend the use of solvents of any kind for cleaning of either the record
surface or stylus. If necessary, records may be washed in lukewarm demineralized water witha dash of sulphonic soap. Remove dust carefully from record surfaces by using a fine antistaticbrush or cloth before every use. The use of solvents on the stylus and cantilever may damage
stylus cement; interior parts of the cartridge can be affected seriously by the intrusion of solvents.

Connection to amplifier
For amplifiers only having MM-input sockets, we recommend one of the Ortofon transformers
to be applied.

Antiskating
For the Quintet stylus types set normal antiskating, according to recommended tracking force.

Stylus Protection Guard
The stylus guard provided for Quintet Series cartridges is designed to be easily replaced andremoved. To avoid accidental damage to the stylus or cantilever please mount the enclosed
stylus guard onto the cartridge whenever the cartridge is not in use. A new stylus protection
guard can be purchased on the Ortofon webshop www.ortofon-shop.com.

The Ortofon warranty will not be valid in cases where such treatment has caused malfunction.
For cleaning the stylus, use the enclosed fiber brush a few times along the cantilever in thedirection of the stylus, whenever you play a new record or change sides. Record care should
also be performed regularly and is of paramount importance to prolong the life and condition ofthe stylus. Because of this, a record cleaning machine may be considered for ease and qualityof record cleaning.

Ortofon exchange service
Owing to the design of the Ortofon moving coil cartridge, the stylus is not part of a replaceable
assembly and therefore Ortofon offers an exchange service. If you should have the need for thisservice, please contact your local Ortofon partner.

Please note
To avoid damages on the stylus or cantilever please keep the stylus guard on the cartridge any
time when mounting or dismounting the unit.

1011

Ortofon A/S | Stavangervej 9 | DK-4900 Nakskov
Tel. +45 54 91 19 15 | www.ortofon.com

01-2017/5-800146-12

Get more information about
MC Quintet Series cartridges.