Ortofon Cadenza vs. old Ortofon MC30 Super2 ?


I've been using an Ortofon MC-30 Super II for over 10 years now... it's an old design, but I love the sound.  
I bought a Soundsmith Zephyr mkII about 3 years ago, and while it's great, I simply don't love it as much as my old MC30.   Yes, the Zephyr is more resolving & lower distortion, but the MC30 is more punchy and musical.

I'm considering an Ortofon Cadenza.... Red or Blue...... probably Blue.    
Can anybody here tell me if Cadenza has a similar Ortofon family sound to my old MC-30 Super II ?
They've gotten rave reviews, but so did the Zephyr.... it's just personal preference & synergy at this point.

My Table is a 30yr old SOTA Sapphire/Premier MMT arm/Parasound JC3 preamp.  


mirolab

Showing 2 responses by ramon70

I have a Cadenza Red and was hoping it was as good as my old MC30 Super. It isn't. Not a bad cartridge but not special.  I prefer the Quintet Black (boron cantilever) to the Cadenza Red. I haven't heard the Quintet sapphire cantilever but its stylus is a shibata, like the boron Quintet that it replaced, and it's cheaper than the Cadenza Red. 
Mirolab,
I can't compare the MC30 Super to the Quintet because I haven't had an MC30 since my last one quit over 10 years ago. I just prefer the Quintet to the Cadenza Red. YMMV.