Ortofon Concorde MKII elite

With the Concorde MKII Elite, Ortofon takes a decisive step forward by offering a cartridge that transcends traditional categories. This premium model, recognizable by its black body accented with genuine gold, represents the culmination of over a century of Danish expertise. Equipped with a nude elliptical diamond mounted on a 750 µm aluminum-magnesium alloy cantilever, this cartridge delivers a remarkable output voltage of 8.5 mV. Priced at nearly 400 euros, the MKII Elite is aimed at professionals and enthusiasts who refuse to compromise between technical performance and musicality.

Technical Architecture: Where Precision Meets Elegance

The Concorde MKII Elite stands out with its genuine gold-plated body—a finish that goes beyond aesthetics: gold offers excellent conductive properties and resistance to corrosion. The deep gold cutout provides exceptional visibility of the stylus tip, making groove tracking easier.

At the heart of this cartridge is a nude elliptical diamond—a technology usually reserved for hi-fi cartridges. Unlike bonded diamonds, the nude diamond is cut directly from a single block, reducing moving mass and improving transient response. The elliptical profile allows the diamond to penetrate deeper into the groove for optimal contact.

The exclusive 750 µm aluminum-magnesium alloy cantilever combines rigidity with low mass, transmitting vibrations with remarkable precision. This architecture generates an output voltage of 8.5 mV, higher than the Concorde Club (8 mV), reducing the need for preamplification.

Acoustic Performance: A New Sonic Dimension

The rubber suspension, developed specifically with an exclusive formula, ensures optimal damping of unwanted resonances. The result: exceptionally clear sound reproduction, with powerful bass, natural mids, and crystal-clear highs without harshness.

The optimal tracking force of 3 grams (adjustable from 2 to 4 g) places the Elite among the lightest Concorde models, reducing wear while maintaining perfect stability. The 1.2 kΩ impedance and 800 pF capacitance ensure universal compatibility. Channel separation (25 dB at 1 kHz) guarantees a precise stereo image.

Unique Positioning: Between DJ Tradition and Audiophile Demands

The Elite occupies a unique position: unlike the Scratch or DJ models, it is aimed at DJs who prioritize sound reproduction. The nude elliptical diamond is not designed for intensive scratching—Ortofon makes this explicitly clear.

This cartridge is ideal for audiophile DJ setups, production studios, or home installations where you want Concorde ergonomics with exceptional sound quality. Universal SME compatibility ensures instant installation on any standard DJ turntable.

Technical Specifications

General Information

• DJ cartridge type Concorde MKII Elite
• Color: black and gold
• Weight: 18.5 g

Audio Specifications

• Output level: 8.5 mV
• Channel balance (1 kHz): 1 dB
• Channel separation:
  • At 1 kHz: 25 dB
  • At 15 kHz: 15 dB
• Frequency response at -3 dB: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Tracking ability at 315 Hz at recommended tracking force: 100 µm

Mechanical Specifications

• Lateral dynamic compliance: 13 µm / mN
• Stylus type: nude elliptical (cut from the whole)
• Tracking angle: 20°

Electrical Specifications

• Internal impedance: 1.2 kΩ
• Internal capacitance: 800 pF

Tracking Force

• Recommended range: 2 to 4 g
• Optimal force: 3 g