Ortofon Jubilee Low Output Moving Coil Cartridge

A Briefing on Ortofon Moving Coil Cartridges
Nothing demonstrates more convincingly Ortofon´s commitment to be the world´s last cartridge manufacturer than the ongoing development of new state-of-the-art models, and Ortofon will continue to refine upon the level of sound quality attainable from analogue recordings. Since 1948 Ortofon has introduced about 100 different moving coil models, and more are to follow. Contrary to other types of phono catridges, the moving coil principle is not suited for mass production. Each of the four coils contains between 11 an 24 turns of wire, depending on model, and has to be wound by hand under a microscope. The wire itself is much thinner than a human hair. The high degree of craftsmanship involved is one of the "secrets" behind Ortofon's reputation.

Introduction To The Jubilee
The MC Jubilee was launched to celebrate Ortofon’s 80 years anniversary. This high-end cartridge features unique exterior design and interior construction based on numerous technological advances in the service of your listening experience. MC Jubilee also incorporates Ortofon’s patented WRD-Damping system (Wide Range Damping), controlling the high-and low frequency damping separately. The effective mass has been reduced in the stylus/cantilever system by using a very thin boron rod. This material is extremely stiff and even more lightweight compared to aluminum. Besides is the velocity of sound almost 3 times higher compared to that of aluminum. Combined with the nude high-polished Shibata diamond stylus at the end of the cantilever we have developed one of the new elements responsible for the new sound 6-nines (99.9999%) pure silver is used for the coils on the armature
Our listening panel’s notes: Amazing tonal neutrality, dynamics and purity of sound which set new standards for potency, detail, consistency and sound staging. A high performance MC transformer or MC preamplifier is required to take full advantage of these qualities. Recommended load: 100 Ohms or much higher, unless the ancillary system has bright tendencies.

New Design Elements
The new appearace of the design is a result of a co-operation between professional industrial designers and the Ortofon Chief Engineer Per Windfeld. Were the most advanced technology and processing should have a very high priority. During the developing process it became more and more evident, that the requirements to both outside as well as inside parts became so demanding with respect to details and finish, that usual manufacturing procedures were insufficient. The only method that would meet our requirements, was found to be the so-called Metal Injection Moulding process (MIM). This process is based on very fine metal powders being mixed into a polymer and injected into a mould. After moulding the parts will pass heat treatment and sintering processes and the result is solid metal parts of either stainless steel to be used for the outer design or highly conductive iron for the magnetic circuit. Very low wall thicknes together with miniaturisation of the magnetic circuit made it possible to keep the cartridge weight as low as 10.5 grams. All parts on the Ortofon Jubilee model are pressed together to a almost solid unit, so no use of screws or glue was necessary. As mentioned, a new unique magnetic circuit was developed in order to concentrate magnetic fluxlines in the air gap with the smallest amount of leakage in the circuit. The solution was to place the damping system inside the Neodymium magnet itself. By doing so we gained a raise in output voltage of 35% compared to the MC Rohmann cartridge. The well known Ortofon WRD-damping system (Wide Range Damping) is also implemented in the MC Jubilee cartridge, controlling the high - and low frequency damping separately. The effective mass has been reduced in the new stylus/cantilever system by using a very thin Boron rod. This material is extremely stiff and even more lightweight compared to aluminium. Besides is the velocity of sound almost 3 times higher compared to that of aluminium. Combined with the nude high-polished Shibata diamond stylus at the end of the cantilever, we have developed one of the new elements responsible for the new sound. 6-nines 99.9999% pure silver is used for the coils on the armature whereby the DC resistance has been kept as low as 5 Ohm.

Comments on the Ortofon Jubilee

"...the Jubilee is one of the three or four best cartridges I've ever heard...the Jubilee finds the melody, and flows with it in a naturally musical, exquisitely expressive manner." Art Dudley, Vol 8, No. 4 July/August 2002

"Detailed, musical and sure-footed, the Jubilee goes a long way towards justifying its elevated price tag." -Hi-Fi World

“Simply one of the best moving coils I have ever enjoyed regardless of price!" -Jerry Raskin, The Needle Doctor

Ortofon Jubilee Technical Data

Cartridge weight 10,5 gram


Ortofon Moving Coil Cartridges PDF


Ortofon Jubilee Brochure PDF


Positive Feedback Review of the Ortofon Jubilee


Large View of the Ortofon Jubilee

Details on Ortofon Cartridge and Stylus Installation and Maintenance

A Brief History of Ortofon