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Ortofon Kontrapunkt A Low Output Moving Coil Cartridge
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of a giant of western music and the new millennium Ortofon has taken up the theme of Bach's Kontrapunkt.
We believe that our more than 80 years of experience in analogue sound reproduction reflects, in its own way, the theme of this great music, the truly inexhaustible nature of the analogue record.
Over the years from cartridge to cartridge we have demonstrated how the same basic theme "Accuracy in Sound" can ring through for the sake of music in new and different ways. Not limited by bits or sampling frequency rates, those same record grooves can go on yielding over and over again new dimensions of musical enjoyment.
We want to show, through these new models, which are related to each other like the Kontrapunkt themes but always different, how analogue the original source of recorded music, after more than 100 years has not exhausted itself. Thus like Bach's theme it still has something musically valid to say today.
As a consequence of this, and as a sign of respect to the greatest of Bach's last works we have decided to use the letters from his name like he did himself, in the Kontrapunkt, as the names for our new Cartridge models.
The first two Kontrapunkt models Ortofon has decided to launch, are identified by using the letters "b" and "a". In design as well as in the basic structure the cartridges derive from the well-known and successful Jubilee cartridge. Being faithful to the Kontrapunkt theme, the sound fro these cartridges will represent variations over the fundamental and typical sound image, characteristic for the Jubilee model. By implementing other diamonds, cantilevers and damping systems in the new models, we have been able to reveal new possibilities in performing the analogue information. We believe that our faithful and new customers will agree with us and enjoy rediscovering information in the play back of their precious analogue records .
Kontrapunkt "a" In this model an aluminium cantilever is mounted with a super polished Nude Fine Line stylus. Coils are made from 6-Nines pure Silver wire, and the output is as high as .45 millivolts at 5 cm/sec by 1 kHz the sound picture of this cartridge is more relaxed, homogeneous and moderately dynamic compared to the Kontrapunkt "b". The Kontrapunkt "a" produces great space and depth in the stereo image. Again depending on equipment, room and music programme(sic.) resistive loads on 100 Ohms or much higher can influence perception of details. The cartridge seems to work well in combination with various rooms and loudspeakers.
Ortofon Kontrapunkt A Specifications:
Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. 450 µV
Channel balance at 1 kHz < 1,5 dB
Channel separation at 1 kHz > 25 dB
Channel separation at 15 kHz > 15 dB
Frequency range 20-40.000 Hz
Frequency response 20-20.000 Hz ± 1,5 dB
FIM distortion at recommended tracking force, DIN 45.542 < 1%
Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force 80 µm
Compliance, dynamic, lateral 12 µm/mN
Stylus type Nude Fine Line / Al.cantilever
Stylus tip radius r/R 8/40 µm
Equivalent stylus tip mass 0,30 mg
Tracking force range 2,2-2,7 g (22-27 mN)
Tracking force, recommended 2,5 g (25 mN)
Tracking angle 20°
Internal impedance, DC resistance 5 Ohm
Recommended load impedance 50-500 Ohm
Cartridge body material Stainless Steel
Cartridge color Black
Cartridge weight 10 g
Ortofon Moving Coil Cartridges PDF
Ortofon Kontrapunkt A Technical Specifications
Ortofon Kontrapunkt Brochure PDF
Stereophile Recommended Components April 2003 Class B $$$
Though it can't quite match up to more expensive cartridges when it comes to depth and resolution of low level details, MF said, "The Kontrapunkt A exhibited none of the bright, thin hashy sound you sometimes get" from other cartridges in this price range. What you do get is a cartridge that offers "rich, extended bass that is very well-controlled and tuneful as hell." Even at twice the price, MF would call this "a superbly musical performer" and "a genuine bargain." (Vol.24 No.11)
"Rich, extended bass that is very well-controlled and tuneful as hell." Even at twice the price, MF would call this "a superbly musical performer" and "a genuine bargain." (Vol.24 No.11)
Ortofon Sonic Evaluation:
The listening panel recommends this model as the ideal choice for the aficionado who loves classical music, choral arrangements and acoustic jazz that require perfect balance and consistency from the deepest bass, across the crucial midrange and up through the highest highs.
The same high output as Kontrapunkt b ensures an outstanding signal-to-noise ratio even with MC inputs with lower gain.
This cartridge features Ortofon's Nude Fine Line elliptical diamond mounted on an aluminium cantilever.
Recommended load: 50 - 500 Ohms.
click image to enlarge
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