The Article
Concorde MKII Cartridges From Ortofon
25th January 2018
Ortofon has announced the second generation of its Concorde DJ cartridges. There’s five models, each designed from the ground-up, targeted to a variety of applications and DJ styles: Mix, DJ, Club (pictured above), Scratch, and Digital
The new range boasts thicker, reinforced finger lifts that are easily replaced if broken. The replaceable nature means it’s also possible to personalise your style by purchasing an alternative finger lift in one of the four available finishes.
The cartridge bodies are now a two-part construction, while the body has also been broadened to offer “greater stability” during performances. Similarly, the larger stylus body now offers tactile feedback when pushed into position and boasts a larger cut-out area for better needle visibility.
The Concorde Mix offers a budget-friendly performance, while the Concorde DJ is considered the jack-of-all-trades. The Concorde Club features a “special” Elliptical diamond. The Concorde Scratch majors on tracking ability and extra high output. Finally, the specially-optimised Concorde Digital offers the same features as Scratch with an extra element designed to, “extend the life of timecode vinyl and minimise errors in decoding”.
I asked for more information on the above and the company very kindly supplied me with this quote, “It’s designed with only ‘Time Code Vinyl’ use in mind, for systems like Serato and Traktor Scratch. The only technical specification that changes between Scratch and Digital is in the tracking ability, and this is because Digital is designed to track the more consistent grooves you see in TCV, rather than the ‘music’ grooves you find in a normal record.”
The new cartridges are shipping now as single cartridges or in a twin pack with an “aluminium flight case”. Replacement styli are also available immediately. To support the range, replacement finger lifts, replacement stylus guards and a special series of DJ-quality slipmats, stylish T-shirts, cuddly toys and biscuits sporting the Concorde, designed to complement each model are also available (Ok, maybe not the toys) (Oh, alright, no biscuits either) (But there should be)
Pricing is:
| Product Information Concorde Mix Single: £70.00 Twin Pack: £135.00 Stylus: £25.00 |
| Concorde DJ Single: £85.00 Twin Pack: £165.00 Stylus: £32.50 |
| Concorde Scratch Single: £95.00 Twin Pack: £185.00 Stylus: £37.50 |
| Concorde Digital Single: £100.00 Twin Pack: £195.00 Stylus: £40.00 |
| Concorde Club Single: £120.00 Twin Pack: £235.00 Stylus: £50.00 |
To find your local specialist Ortofon retailer, visit www.henleypro.co.uk
Hi Paul, I came across your article while researching this particular cartridge. I understand they are great for digitising old vinyl. Unfortunately, my tonearm (straight tonearm for a Harman/Kardon T60) won’t take this type of cartridge. Is there another type of cartridge which is excellent for digitising old vinyl and would fit my HK? I understand the straight tonearm is a Japanese type, an Ito Microrace. Many thanks.
Hi Glenn – thanks for your question. Ok, allow me to rebuild some of that advice you’ve been given in the past. It might shift your focus a bit in terms of possible future purchases. There is no cartridge that is especially good for digitising vinyl. There is no specialist model out there. No cartridge has yet been created that is aimed as this task. In terms of producing quality digitised files to ‘rip’ vinyl what you need is the best quality hardware that you can afford. That includes the turntable, it’s arm and cartridge and a phono amp with a USB port included. The cartridge, as you can see, is only one part of the kit you need (you can grab free software like audacity, so that’s not a factor in terms of budget). Now, you have a turntable with a cartridge included. May I ask what phono amp you use and what ADC you intend to run to do the ripping? (Sometimes you’ll see a USB in the rear of a turntable or in a phono amp – these include and ADC – analogue-to-digital convertor).
Hi Paul, which of these Concorde would you recommend for simple listening? What tracking force to avoid damaging the vinyls? thanks in advance and sorry for my bad english. Stefano
Can I ask how much money you’re wanting to spend, Stefano?
Hi, I can buy the most expensive. thanks in advance stefano
Can I ask you to wait a bit? I’m going to review the Pick-it S2 which is a Concorde-style cartridge but not for DJs, for general listening. This might be what you’re looking for. Might be a week or two until I publish but the wait may be worth it 🙂
OK thanks a lot, best regards Stefano
I want to do mostly scratching with DVS in rekordbox. Would you recommend the digital over the scratch in this case?
Thanks in advance!
According to my contact at Ortofon who knows a bit about the DJ world, “I would recommend the Scratch ‚Äì that‚Äôs the more important element of what you’re doing as it demands greater record hold.”
Hi, Paul. I have a DJ style Stanton TT. I am considering to use a Concorde Club mainly because I like the plug and play and no headshell leads design. I am not planning to DJ with it, just home listening. My main concern is that the Club requires 3g of tracking force (double of a ‚Äúregular‚Äù cartridge) which would imply premature record wear ( am I right?). For this reason or any other I am not aware of, one should relegate the Concordes just for DJs? I’ll appreciate your input.
Hi Omar, it’s not so much a tracking force of 3g that causes issues but – on turntables that feature heavy tracking forces – poor parts, design, fitting, etc that can treat vinyl roughly which is then exacerbated by the heavy tracking force. That is, on a well designed/made deck, 3g is not a major issue. Saying that, The Concorde series is aimed at DJ use because that environment is a tough one. Knocks and rough treatment are expected so Concordes are made to cope. They do lose a bit in terms of fine detail, though. If you really like the Concordes then sure, go for those – some are better than others. Saying that, for hi-fi use, I would recommend looking elsewhere. But that would depend on your budget.
Thanks for your answer Paul.
Is the Concorde Mix good for scratching? I bought a pair and its really good when i scratch on a DVS but if I scratch with real vinyls, it skips a lot. Should I have bought the concorde scratch?
Ortofon do sell specific cartridges aimed ad DJ scratching. Here’s a ink for you to peruse: https://www.ortofon.com/dj/products/dj-cartridges/