Ortofon Quintet Black

[Ian7633]

I've been enjoying the Ortofon 2M Black for quite some time but felt a change coming on. I'd been looking for a Benz Micro Glider for a while when Steve ( Curuthersesq) of this parish offered me his very low hours Quintet Black and knowing nothing much about this cartridge I did some research and was pleasantly surprised by the positive reports.
So, duely purchased and installed I set about setting it up. After the very fiddly 2M the Quintet is much more straightforward and being basically rectangular in shape using the mirrored protector got the angles sorted easily. VTA took a bit longer but nothing like the 2M.
How does it sound?, it has all the qualities of the 2M Black but with an added sense of space and air, a very delicate enhancement of 2M 's excellent detail. I've also noticed less surface noise, surprising really as both cartridges use a nude shibatta tip. It's at the low bass it really scores highly though, while in no way does it sound muddy or boomy the bass extension is quite dramatic, even really heavy dub reggae is clear and precise. It works well with classical music too, Holst's The Planets sounds both moody and lively in all the right places.
Summing up at less than £700 new it is definitely punching above it's weight and worth considering if you're thinking of upgrading. I just want to hear a Cadenza Black now.....although it's a bit out of my price range at the moment.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[brian2957]

Fantastic write up Ian , a very informative and enjoyable read . Still outa my league though

[Ian7633]

Fantastic write up Ian , a very informative and enjoyable read . Still outa my league though

Thanks Brian, I'm really enjoying vinyl again. They do come up used occasionally but not too often.

[brian2957]

Aye , just got back into vinyl myself this year . However , I have a good digital setup and I'm still on the fence regarding which system to move forward with . A really good cart like this would probably tip the balance in favour of vinyl , just can't afford it at the moment .

[Bigman80]

I've been enjoying the Ortofon 2M Black for quite some time but felt a change coming on. I'd been looking for a Benz Micro Glider for a while when Steve ( Curuthersesq) of this parish offered me his very low hours Quintet Black and knowing nothing much about this cartridge I did some research and was pleasantly surprised by the positive reports.
So, duely purchased and installed I set about setting it up. After the very fiddly 2M the Quintet is much more straightforward and being basically rectangular in shape using the mirrored protector got the angles sorted easily. VTA took a bit longer but nothing like the 2M.
How does it sound?, it has all the qualities of the 2M Black but with an added sense of space and air, a very delicate enhancement of 2M 's excellent detail. I've also noticed less surface noise, surprising really as both cartridges use a nude shibatta tip. It's at the low bass it really scores highly though, while in no way does it sound muddy or boomy the bass extension is quite dramatic, even really heavy dub reggae is clear and precise. It works well with classical music too, Holst's The Planets sounds both moody and lively in all the right places.
Summing up at less than £700 new it is definitely punching above it's weight and worth considering if you're thinking of upgrading. I just want to hear a Cadenza Black now.....although it's a bit out of my price range at the moment.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Wow, seeing that TT and arm really pulled my heart strings mate. Such a fantastic combo. Word of advice, make sure the TT is well isolated. It had a tendency to boom a little on my shelf and only now with the SP10 have I realised how important proper isolation is.

The cartridge looks the business. I bet it sounds great. Good times.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

[Ian7633]

Wow, seeing that TT and arm really pulled my heart strings mate. Such a fantastic combo. Word of advice, make sure the TT is well isolated. It had a tendency to boom a little on my shelf and only now with the SP10 have I realised how important proper isolation is.

The cartridge looks the business. I bet it sounds great. Good times.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

You're on the money re isolation. The Toshiba sits on a 50mm birch ply and deadening sheet platform which in turn sits on oak cone feet. The whole lot rests on a double shelved Target rack on floor spikes. This all works well, even my LP12 didn't jump when I walked past ha.

[Bigman80]

You're on the money re isolation. The Toshiba sits on a 50mm birch ply and deadening sheet platform which in turn sits on oak cone feet. The whole lot rests on a double shelved Target rack on floor spikes. This all works well, even my LP12 didn't jump when I walked past ha.

Lol, good stuff mate. I only wish I'd known it for the last couple of years hahaha.

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[Jimbo]

Nice write up Ian, you have now added another cartridge along with the ZYX and ATPTGii to my list to consider

[Bigman80]

Nice write up Ian, you have now added another cartridge along with the ZYX and ATPTGii to my list to consider

I've got a "for sale" AT33PTGII here on loan at the minute. What a fantastic cartridge for the money. Seriously transparent and very very detailed. My ZYX R50 BLOOM had more presence in my system so I'm keeping the ZYx. Close run decision though.

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[Jimbo]

I've got a "for sale" AT33PTGII here on loan at the minute. What a fantastic cartridge for the money. Seriously transparent and very very detailed. My ZYX R50 BLOOM had more presence in my system so I'm keeping the ZYx. Close run decision though.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

Woah Oli your running along the same line of thought as me. You just need to try a Decca now! When you visit you can hear a 2M black and I will lend you my Decca to listen too!!