The Ortofon Quintet Black S Review!

[@vaggelisioannidis4636]

Your reviews are phenomenal & very accurate. Today I auditioned the quintet black s mounted on the project x8 turntable & I was trully amazed. Everything you describe about the sonic character of the quintet was there when I was listening to my records. Welldone mate.

[@thevinylattack]

I appreciate the kind words.

[@trueblue4068]

Hi Chris. I watch your videos regularly, despite not being in the market for audio gear. You and Tarun (British Audiophile) are my favorites. Concise but thorough; detailed but not boring; smooth, articulate and funny. Great entertainment! BTW, I think your use of the word "harmony" is spot on. "Musical" doesn't convey a concept I can unwrap. When vocals and instruments are in harmony, they blend, compliment and enhance each other. They are "BALANCED". We might start seeing "harmony" used more often as a standard term, cuz of you. Keep it up! Best.

[@thevinylattack]

Thank you very much for the kind words. You've said exactly what I'm trying to achieve with these videos. I'm glad someone is getting that from them.

[@OlafvanBuul]

Thank you for the explanation between Black and Black S :)

[@thevinylattack]

Happy to help.

[@Cynicalian]

Nice review Chris! I used the Quintet Black S for about 2 years before upgrading to the Cadenza Black a couple of months ago. It is a fantastic cartridge for the money, I'm stumped to think of anything at the price (Moving Coil wise) that can compete. I'd also add that if you're on a budget up to $1500/ £1300 there's little that if anything beats it outright, I actually preferred it to Ortofon's own Cadenza Red, I'd suggest that you have to go to the Cadenza Blue before there is a significant upgrade. When I came to my upgrade earlier this year I had intended to buy the Cadenza Blue but I found myself questioning the absolute sonic upgrade, so with Ortofon's trade in and a generous discount from dealer I was able to afford the Black, which really is a significant upgrade but at more than twice the price of Quintet Black S. The really amazing thing about the QBS is the lack of surface noise the fine line really gets deep in the grooves and bellow noise cause by light surface marks, remarkable for a sub $1000 cartridge. Indeed this cartridge is balanced and fluid, it offers a good amount of high end capability at a very reasonable price and is unfussy regards surface imperfections. I'd recommend it to anyone with a decent phono stage.

[@thevinylattack]

I have the Cadenza on my review wishlist. I'll get there at some point.

[@Wised1000]

​@thevinylattack Same sonic character but turned up to 11 😁. In fact, if you don't have a setup that can show the difference, it's a waste.

[@VMX1.]

Excellent review Chris...well done ol man. Rod

[@thevinylattack]

I appreciate it.

[@Wised1000]

The Quintet Black is a superb cartridge and an extraordinary value. It's 9/10ths of a Cadenza Black for about 1/3 the price. Its almost the same price as a 2M black but sounds a LOT better. Of course, its price doesn't include a pre or SUT so, if you don't have one, that's an additional outlay. BTW, Ortofon makes a few step up transformers. I have an ST70. IMO, an SUT sounds better than any preamp regardless of price, plus, its entirely passive. Finally, with any low output moving coil, cables are VERY important. No magic thousand dollar cables are necessary, but shielded (SPDIF) are basically a requirement. If not, your regular RCA's will pick up RF high frequency noise which is not much of a problem for MM cartridges but can be a problem for low output MC.

[@Cynicalian]

Good point about SUTs, unless you're got a seriously money for a phono stage the ST70 is a fantastic value proposition. Short cable runs and proper grounding deal most of the noise issues. It's a great option.

[@jeb1982]

Good video. Thanks!

[@slistone1940]

You think the quintet is as good as the Hana ML or Gold Ring Ethos? Any other carts you’d put in this league?

[@matt2k70]

I’ve had a Quintet Black S for about six years now. I’m sure it’s past it’s 1000 hour peak so now I’m thinking about a successor. Looking at the EAT Jo No. 5, the Hana ML, and another Quintet Black S. Right now, I’m leaning to another Quintet. The sound is just incredible. After watching this video, it may be a lock. Just wish there was a shootout between the three.

[@thevinylattack]

I like the Hana personally, but the Quintet is an excellent choice.

[@inko123]

I love the LVB for its forward sound signature.

[@thevinylattack]

There's a cart for everyone.

[@felixfranzen7318]

Great cart! But what is a forward sound signature? It doesn't correlate to any measureable parameter.

[@elgustoesmiochupaki6119]

It means more immediacy. For example abrupt attacks on an instrument are more forward. They come at you without asking permission. I personally thrive on that kind of thrill. But if you don’t that is fine too. Being a more relaxed cart. I understand might be more appealing. I know because I enjoy also my Hana ML for that. But my next move is definitely the cadenza black in about a year. I love having a tonea that allows headshells to be changed. And yes, I think this reviewer ROCKS!

[@frankferaco5996]

Another unbiased and informative video! Wondering if youre planning on finishing up the ortofon color lines with the cadenza black?

[@thevinylattack]

While the Cadenza line is on my list, I'm not sure when that will happen. Those carts are pricey, and I'd want my setup to be a compliment to them and not a hinderance.

[@OzSteve]

Great review. I had the older Quintet black and moved to the Sumiko Songbird on my Pro-Ject X2 I also have the bronze 2M Ortofon cart on my Clearaudio TT (all connected to a Gold Note PH-10 and PSU-10) While my next MM cart will be the black as that will be the 'end game for the MM TT) and I have only started the MC route I love the differences from MM to MC. My collection of vinyl has started all over again. Certain albums sound better on each.

[@thevinylattack]

It's nice you can have two setups. It's something I've thought about from time to time.

[@OzSteve]

@@thevinylattack I got my Clearaudio TT off a used HiFi site. Perfect condition for less than half the cost of a new and it had a blue 2M cart. I'm very happy with it and the purchase as it gave me a chance to experience both MM and MC for a reasonable cost. A new lease of life to my vinyl collection too

[@flannelenigma4951]

Nice. I missed hitting Dearborn music when I was in Detroit for the Ride/Charlatans show in February (to my great regret). Will definitely check them out online. Or I'll just come back this summer since my wife is from there :)

[@thevinylattack]

You won't regret making the trip.

[@hifipi3.14]

Awesome review and finally someone else has the S3B preamp which I’ve been using for a while. Would love to hear more of your thoughts on the S3B.

[@thevinylattack]

It'll be getting its own review as well.

[@hifipi3.14]

@@thevinylattack That’s great to hear, not a lot out there for it.

[@buffal0bilious]

The stylus on my 2M Blue's getting a little past its prime, and I was toying with the idea of going for a 2M Bronze or MP-200 rather than a replacement stylus for my 2M Blue. Now you've got me curious about the Quintet line, especially since the Quintet Blue is only a little more than the 2M Bronze.

[@thevinylattack]

If you have a phono pre-amp that's solid enough for a moving coil, I would recommend giving it a shot.

[@Lee.Higginbotham]

I have the bronze on my technics 1200GR. Sounds great. I started with the bronze so if I wanted to try the black later it would be easy. I'm happy with MM cartridges.

[@jasonsmith9845]

I went from 2M Blue to 2M Bronze about 6 months ago. It's more refined, detailed and less sibilant. I was worried that I'd lose some bass but that didn't happen. I'm really happy with it. I love my tube phono preamp (Magi Phonomenal) but it doesn't do moving coil so I'm sticking with magnet for now at least. A friend of mine has the 2M Black and it sounds great so that may be my next cartridge - hopefully a few years from now...

[@54tristin]

Im a big Dynavector fan , even though their service is lacking.

[@johngutmanis3580]

I have a bronze on a direct drive table and a quintet black with the boron on a belt drive table. I have noticed the bronze does sound more lively than the quintet, but the quintet is a more balanced sound. I also have the same arm on both tables, VPI 3D 10” printed arm.

[@thevinylattack]

It's nice to have a side-by-side comparison.

[@SpyderTracks]

I’ve got one although broke the cantilever which is quite fragile and I was early into record care, fully my mistake and will never do it again. But ortofon do a repair deal where you can return the broken cartridge and they’ll give you a new one at 60% of the cost. Personally I think that’s very generous. Incredible cartridge

[@thevinylattack]

I'm glad to hear they took good care of you.

[@1mctous]

I'd like to have a Goldring Ethos-Ortofon Quintet Black S shootout even though the Ethos costs a bit more.

[@thevinylattack]

It'll depend on how long I have the Quintet now that the review is done.

[@ptg01]

Nice review !! Curious, what turntable(s) and phono pre-amp(s) did you use for this evaluation ?

[@gingernutpreacher]

He mentioned this at the beginning

[@thevinylattack]

The pre-amps were mentioned in the video. The turntable is a Clearaudio concept.

[@jimsregaturntableshifijukebox]

Very interesting 👌

[@vinstyles]

HI Chris, I have a Technics SL-1210g and I use the Ortofon bronze Cadenza. Would the Ortofon Quintet Black S suit my technics as well as the bronze cadenza. Love your reviews. Happy New Year from Dublin, Ireland...

[@thevinylattack]

The Cadenza line is a step up from the Quintet line. While the Black S would perform very well for you, it wouldn't sound as nice as what you have already.

[@vinstyles]

thanks a million for your reply@@thevinylattack

[@thevinylattack]

@@vinstyles no worries.

[@xuser48]

Cadenza Bronze is equipped with a Replicant 100 stylus. It's the closest you'll ever get to a cutting needle. It is of course developed by Ortofon.

[@tonydeniro284]

Too bad it's not the same as the old black quintet. It no longer has the boron cantilever.

[@VMX1.]

Chris are you still around?

[@thevinylattack]

I'm still here. Answering comments and emails when I can.

[@SENCORE_ISF]

Such a great review. Articulate

[@KiroProstoto]

Loved it until I heard the Cadenza Black. Now I just think that it is amazing for it’s price 😁

[@thevinylattack]

I suppose you could say that with just about anything.

[@KiroProstoto]

@@thevinylattack Yes, but still a fact :/

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

Would like to enjoy more correct evaluations as yours ! Fully agree with the accent on .....................Harmo,ious ................;this quality is lacking with the majotity of today's hifi gear pushed over the edge of what's natural and hhyped as HIGH END...; Thank you for sharing and positioning yourself on the right side rather than the bright side !

[@thevinylattack]

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@russellewandowski843]

So, is this a throw away cartridge when the stylus has exhausted its useful life?

[@gregcarson3444]

As are all moving coil carts.

[@thevinylattack]

The people at Soundsmith offer cart rebuilding and re-tips for their own brands as well as others. Ortofon will offer you 25% toward the purchase of a new cart from them when you trade in your old one. The good news, however, is that the stylus will last you for a long time to come even with regular play.

[@koylesmasterpeice]

Play clean records, clean the tip with a stylus brush, and ensure that it is set up correctly, and it should last you a lifetime.

[@richardelliott8352]

@@koylesmasterpeice You might want to double check your information. All of my reading says this type of stylus shape is good for about 1,000 hours, much better than the 500 hour ballpark of the older elliptical or conical shapes, but hardly a life time.

[@koylesmasterpeice]

@@richardelliott8352 Diamonds are one of the hardest materials in the world. How do you wear it out playing a plastic record?

[@54tristin]

This is just too much money!

[@thevinylattack]

In what regard?