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Overview

Ortofon MC Quintet Red Moving Coil Phono Cartridge

Elliptical diamond stylus. 0.5 mV output. An introduction to moving coil sound.

The Ortofon MC Quintet Red brings moving coil performance to vinyl enthusiasts looking to take the next step in their analog system. Its Elliptical diamond stylus is designed for accurate groove tracking, delivering an open, dynamic presentation with a touch of warmth.

The Quintet Red features a neodymium magnet system, copper coil wire, and a durable, scratch-resistant thermoplastic body. Its low internal impedance and threaded mounting holes make it a practical choice for a wide range of compatible turntables and moving coil phono stages.

 

Key Features

  • Elliptical diamond stylus: 8/18 µm profile for accurate groove tracking.

  • Moving coil design: 0.5 mV output for compatible MC phono stages.

  • Neodymium magnet system: Engineered for efficient cartridge output.

  • Copper coil wire: Used in the Quintet Red's moving coil generator.

  • Low internal impedance: 7 ohms, with a recommended load greater than 20 ohms.

  • Durable cartridge body: Lightweight, impact-resistant thermoplastic construction.

  • Easy installation: Threaded mounting holes with supplied 5 mm and 7 mm screws.

     


Complete Technical Specifications

Specification

Ortofon MC Quintet Red

Cartridge type

Moving coil (MC), stereo

Mounting type

Standard ½-inch

Stylus type

Elliptical

Stylus tip radius

r/R 8/18 µm

Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec

0.5 mV

Channel balance at 1 kHz

Less than 1.5 dB

Channel separation at 1 kHz

Greater than 21 dB

Channel separation at 15 kHz

Greater than 14 dB

Frequency range at −3 dB

20 Hz–25 kHz

Frequency response, 20 Hz–20 kHz

±2.5 dB

Tracking ability at 315 Hz

65 µm

Dynamic lateral compliance

15 µm/mN

Tracking force range

2.1–2.5 g (21–25 mN)

Recommended tracking force

2.3 g (23 mN)

Tracking angle

20°

Internal impedance / DC resistance

7 Ω

Recommended load impedance

Greater than 20 Ω

Coil wire material

Copper

Magnet system

Neodymium

Cartridge body material

PC thermoplastic with aluminum mounting frame

Mounting hardware

Supplied 5 mm and 7 mm screws

Cartridge color

Red

Cartridge weight

9 g

Specifications sourced from Ortofon's official product page and Quintet Series user guide. The guide provides additional details, including coil material, frequency range, and channel separation at 15 kHz.

 


Moving Coil Performance Made Accessible

The MC Quintet Red is designed as an introduction to Ortofon's moving coil cartridge range. Its Elliptical stylus provides reliable groove tracking, while the neodymium magnet system and copper coils generate a 0.5 mV signal.

For listeners considering the next model in the series, the MC Quintet Blue introduces a Nude Elliptical stylus and pure silver coil wire. The Red uses a conventional Elliptical stylus and copper coils.

 

Compatibility & Installation

The MC Quintet Red uses standard ½-inch mounting and features threaded holes for secure installation. Ortofon includes 5 mm and 7 mm mounting screws to accommodate different headshell thicknesses.

Its 0.5 mV output requires a compatible moving coil phono stage or an appropriately matched step-up transformer and phono preamplifier. Ortofon recommends a load impedance greater than 20 ohms and a tracking force of 2.3 grams.

 

Discover Ortofon at The Grid HiFi. Visit our Houston showroom for assistance with cartridge selection, turntable compatibility, and phono stage matching.

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FAQs

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Yes. We match any authorised dealer, including big-box retailers. If you find the same product at a lower price, contact us and we'll match it.

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Yes — free shipping on every order, with 2-day delivery available on most products. Easy returns and exchanges are included.

Where is your showroom?

We're at 6362 Alder Drive, Houston, Texas. The showroom lets you hear and compare reference-level systems in person before making any decisions. If you're considering a larger purchase or installation, it's well worth the visit.

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Yes. The full product range is available through the online store with free nationwide shipping. For more complex system builds, speaking with one of our advisers first tends to lead to a better result.

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Yes. Special financing is available through the BrandSource Credit Card for qualifying purchases, allowing you to spread payments over time with no annual fee. Promotional rebate savings are also available periodically. See the financing page for full details.

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Yes — installation is central to what we do. We design and install whole-home audio and video, home theaters, media rooms, outdoor audio, lighting and motorised shades, and full smart home automation.

Do you provide support after installation?

Yes. We provide ongoing service and support to ensure systems continue performing as intended — not just on installation day, but over the long term.