Ortofon MC Rondo Red

Data

General

• Manufacturer: Ortofon
• Model: MC Rondo Red
• Years of manufacture: from 2004 - ?
• Made in: Denmark
• Color: dark red marbled
• Weight: 10,5 g
• Original price approx:

Technical Data

• Principle: Moving Coil (MC)
• Frequency response: 20 - 30,000 Hz (-3 dB)
• Channel separation: > 22 dB at 1 kHz
• Channel balance: 0 < 2 dB bei 1 kHz
• Übersprechdämpfung:
• Ausgangsspannung: >.5 mV
• Terminating resistor: 10 - 200 Ohm
• Internal resistance (DC): 6 Ohm
• Needle type: elliptical (r/R: 8/18 µm), bare on aluminium needle carrier
• Recommended contact force: 23 mN
• Needle compliance: 15 µm/mN
• Scanning capability at 315 Hz: 80 µm

Special Features

• system body made of a synthetic resin/wood material
• hinged needle guard

Remarks

Other models in the same series:

• Ortofon MC Rondo Blue
• Ortofon MC Rondo Bronze

Reports

• Audio issue 8/2005
  • Overall rating: Top class

"... in the subtle sounds of Emiliana Torrini's 'Fisherman's Woman' one simply found oneself more at ease with the Rondo Red. The gently creaking rowboat bobbing behind acoustic guitar and voice on 'Lifesaver' seemed perfectly clear here, like a projection..."

"... the Rondo's relaxed accuracy, unruffled by anything, helped it to the front even on heavy rock discs. 'Will You Smile For Me' by Trail Of Dead, for example, was great fun. Besides a triumphantly rocking finale, this track also has a dull throbbing middle section where time seems to stand still, the singer slowly spirals into a frenzy and the two guitars threaten imminent deeds just by their amplifier noise - with the Rondo Red an inescapable vortex of death..."

"... the Ortofon Rondo Red is a superbly crafted MC that sets new sonic standards in its price range..."

"Verdict: Very low-distortion, dynamic-proof MC system, solid construction, practical azimuth adjustment. Value for money."

• Stereoplay issue 3/2006

Sound: top class

• • Price/Performance: outstanding
  • Overall rating: good - very good

"... The Rondo Red's sharpness of localisation and flood of detail even surpassed the stereoplay highlight Reson Reca. Thus, guitar sides virtually flashed and singers moved clearly outlined between the speakers..."

• hifi & records issue 4/2006

"... the Rondo Bronze meets every demand and is able to give a good push if required. It is very pleasing that you don't have to invest a fortune for such a high class pickup. Of course, there is more 'on top', but it will require considerably more money. Ortofon's new Rondo Bronze provides a high level of analogue listening enjoyment, without being restricted to one musical genre. This more than 'value for money' pickup deserves an unqualified recommendation."

• Stereo Heft 7/2006

Price/Performance: excellent

"... the Rondo Red impresses with a rarely heard purity and transparency. The sound is pure and clear. There are no sound halos around them. Never have discs that tend to sound a bit cloudy - Mike Knock's ingenious 'Ondas' (ECM) is one of them - been experienced more undisturbed and transparent. At the same time the red Rondo doesn't develop any sober or analytical sides. Contrary to our measurements the bass is slim but differentiated down to the lowest dungeon. There's hardly anything left of the determined treble hump in practice. The high frequency range is delicately nuanced and runs out smoothly towards the top..."

"... the listener encounters a completely unaffected, unadorned naturalness in the Rondo Red. Nothing gets in the way of the given flow of the music, the sound pictures are constructed in a light, nimble manner, extremely rich in shading and uncluttered..."

"... the Red forces a rethink regarding aluminium needle carriers. My prejudice that with them the achievable clarity, low frequency structure and dynamics are limited, the Dane gives the lie to. His self-evident openness, his deep bass that is as dry as it is light and breathes well, as well as his unprecedented speed with piano strokes or fulminant orchestral tutti would have made me think of other materials at this point..."

"Conclusion: The Rondo Red plays the purist among the affordable MCs. It sounds extremely light and loose, yet has a firm, slender bass and delights with lightning-like dynamics and lively agility."

Links

• Ortofon MC Rondo Series</2>