Ortofon Salsa Low Output MC Phono Cartridge

These cartridges (Salsa and Samba) are the successors to the MC 10 Super and MC 15 Super Mk II respectively. Both models feature considerably improved specifications and performance compared to their predecessors. They were designed by Per Windfeld, the "grandfather" of Ortofon and the person who put his signature on such state-of-the-art cartridge designs as the MC Jubilee, the MC Kontrapunkt Series and recently the MC Rondo Series. Mr Windfeld has been the head of Ortofon's R&D department for several decades and is considered one of the very few highly experienced cartridge designers left in the world today.

For almost sixty years, Ortofon has been at the forefront of music reproduction from analogue records. Throughout the years Ortofon have developed many new and creative designs for the enjoyment of music lovers and audio enthusiasts all over the world.

WHY AN ORTOFON MOVING COIL CARTIDGE?

Many have asked the question: Why is the sound of a moving coil cartridge so superior to that of a traditional magnetic: The answer in one word is linearity. The patented Ortofon low-impedance, low-output design is inherently linear over the entire audible range. This coupled with unequalled tracking ability and unique diamond profiles combines to deliver a sound previously deemed unattainable. The MC Tango, MC Samba and MC Salsa is a direct result of our endeavours. MC Tango has an elliptical diamond which is cut and polished to Ortofon’s standards, and the output is 0.5 mV. The MC Tango is our MC entry level cartridge with a very high cost/performance ratio.

MC Samba and MC Salsa have a tiny, nude Elliptical or Fine Line diamond, mounted on a very light and rigid cantilever. This results in low equivalent stylus tip mass and cantilever compliance on 14 and 15 μm/mN, which means that MC Samba and MC Salsa will give excellent results with virtually any tone arm. The armature has been designed as a tiny lightweight cross, and the coils are mounted at exactly 90 degree to each other (just like the walls of the record groove), which is improving the channel separation. The magnet and improved damping system has allowed its natural pivotal point to be placed immediately behind the armature, this is giving an extremely precise moving system. Besides, we have increased the output voltage of the Samba to 0.3 mV and the MC Salsa to 0.38 mV. Finally, the name and design is bonded together: The MC Tango is presented in a blue transparent house, the MC Samba is in a yellow transparent house, and the MC Salsa is in an orange transparent house. So, if you like the idea of a moving coil cartridge, but don't like the idea of spending a small fortune, the MC Samba, MC Salsa or the MC Tango will be an excellent choice.




Ortofon Moving Coil Cartridges PDF


The dance series from Ortofon is now complete – MC Tango joins MC Samba & MC Salsa PDF
MC Tango has an elliptical diamond which is cut and polished to Ortofon’s standards, and the output is 0.5 mV. The MC Tango is our MC entry level cartridge with a very high cost/performance ratio.



Three To Tango, Hi-Fi News, July 2007 PDF
Named after Latin dance steps, Ortofon has introduced a new range of brightly-colored moving-coil cartridges with prices starting at $200. Will they add some extra groove to your system's sound? We find out...


Let's Dance, Hi-Fi World, April 2007 PDF
Here are a pair of inexpensive cartridges that both have real talent, and offer a goodly amount of moving coil magic. For those who want both clarity and accuracy, the orange Salsa is the on to choose. But the less expensive yellow Samba, although bright sounding, has generally better clarity and more gripping dynamics. So there's no clear-cut choice here; they are different, but each is talented in its own way and good value by moving coil standards, where a top model can cost thousands.

Ortofon Salsa "Slick Ortofon MC Cartridge For Turntables" -Smarthouse "The Lifestyle Technology Guide"

The classic advantages of MC cartridges over the generally cheaper moving-magnet types include better precision and sharper focus, and while the very cheapest MCs sometimes struggle to deliver that with tonal neutrality, good models like this one do have a lot to offer in that direction, without sacrificing basics like tracking ability.


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