Ortofon‘s MC X series marks a turning pointin the world of moving coil phono cartridges. This new range, consisting of the MC X10, MC X20, MC X30 and MC X40 models, draws its inspiration from the iconic heritage of the 80s and 90s, while incorporating cutting-edge technologies that redefine performance standards in their price category.
A revolutionary design with diamond facets
The first thing that strikes you about the MC X cartridges is their aesthetics.. Abandoning the classic parallelepiped shape of the Quintet series, Ortofon has opted for a complex design reminiscent of the facets of a diamond. This high-quality matte black polymer housing is not only visually appealing: its honeycomb structure incorporates threaded brass inserts that ensure optimal attachment to your tonearm.
This aesthetic approach is not merely ornamental. It reflects Ortofon‘s philosophy: to transform every technical detail into an element of beauty, creating cartridges that are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the ear.
Technological innovation at the service of musicality
- Pure silver coils
All MC X series cartridges share a major innovation: the use of ultra-high-purity silver wire coils. This bold technical decision radically transforms signal transmission. Silver, a superior electrical conductor to traditional copper, guarantees excellent clarity and unmatched signal accuracy.
This high-end technology, usually reserved for prestige cartridges, becomes accessible in the MC X range, offering a level of detail that reveals every nuance of your favorite recordings.
- A new optimized magnetic system
The generator of each MC X cartridge incorporates a single-piece pole cylinder combined with a rear magnetic yoke. This configuration, designed for maximum magnetic efficiency, creates a powerful and precise signal path that amplifies overall performance. The result? Increased dynamics and more precise spatialization that transform your listening experience.
- Stability and precision
At the heart of each MC X cartridge is a honeycomb stainless steel frame manufactured using metal injection molding (MIM). This advanced industrial process, followed by a surface vapor deposition (PVD) treatment, ensures remarkable mechanical stability and minimizes unwanted resonances.
The mechanical damping system, using rubber compounds developed in-house by Ortofon, precisely controls the movement of the coils. This technical mastery improves tracking, reduces distortion, and optimizes overall musicality.
Four models, four levels of excellence
MC X10: Entry into excellence
The MC X10 inaugurates the series with a high-quality elliptical stylus mounted on a hollow aluminum cantilever. This balanced configuration delivers refined reproduction, marked by remarkable clarity and precision that reveals the richness of your vinyl.
Recommended associations:
- Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 Phono preamplifiers
- Rega Planar 3 turntable
MC X20: The perfect balance
The MC X20 takes things to the next level with its Nude Elliptical diamond, still associated with the hollow aluminum cantilever. This technical evolution further refines playback precision and harmonic richness, offering a more immersive listening experience.
Recommended associations:
- Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 Phono preamplifiers
- Moon 110 LP V2 preamplifier
MC X30: Pure finesse
The MC X30 introduces the Nude Fine Line stylus, a technology that revolutionizes record playback. This advanced stylus, held by the hollow aluminum cantilever, extracts previously inaudible details, transforming every listen into a rediscovery of your record collection.
Recommended associations:
- Gold Note PH5 preamplifiers
- Lehmann Audio Black cube SE II preamplifiers
MC X40: The pinnacle of the series
The MC X40 crowns the range with its Shibata Nude stylus and ultra-rigid boron cantilever. This exceptional technical combination delivers a reproduction with surgical precision, revealing every micro-detail of the original recording with striking fidelity.
Recommended associations:
- Aurorasound Vida Prima preamplifiers
- Gold Note PH10 preamplifiers
Understanding MC cartridges : a guide for everyone
- Installation and compatibility
Installing a phono cartridge requires precision but remains accessible. The connection wires follow a standard color code: red for the positive right channel, white for the negative right channel, green for the positive left channel, and blue for the negative left channel. It is crucial to check that your phono preamplifier has an MC input, as a moving coil cartridge requires more amplification than a moving magnet (MM) cartridge.
- The MC/MM difference explained
MC (Moving Coil) cartridges like the X Series use moving coils in a fixed magnetic field, while MM (Moving Magnet) cartridges do the opposite. This fundamental difference explains why MC cartridges generally offer better accuracy and superior dynamics, but require a specialized preamplifier capable of handling their weaker output signal.
- Maintenance to preserve excellence
A quality MC cartridge requires meticulous maintenance. Regularly cleaning the stylus with a specialized brush and a suitable product preserves its performance. The lifespan of an MC cartridge varies between 1000 and 2000 hours of listening time depending on usage conditions. Unlike MM cartridges, MC cartridges generally do not allow for the replacement of the stylus alone, which makes their preventative maintenance all the more important.
Choosing your MC X according to your system
Choosing your MC X cartridge depends on your equipment and your audiophile ambitions. The X10 is ideal for entry-level systems looking for a first approach to MC excellence. The X20 is aimed at experienced music lovers with a balanced system. The X30 reveals its potential on high-end systems, while the X40 s’épanouit dans les systèmes de référence où chaque composant a été choisi pour l’excellence.
| Model | Diamond | Cantilever | Ideal for | Recommended associations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MC X10 | Elliptical | Hollow aluminum | Beginner audiophiles, first MC cartridge | • Pro-Ject Tube Box S2 preamp • Rega Planar 3 turntable |
| MC X20 | Nude Elliptical | Hollow aluminum | Demanding music lovers in search of evolution | • Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 preamp • Moon 110 LP V2 preamp |
| MC X30 | Nude Fine Line | Hollow aluminum | Confirmed audiophiles, high-fidelity systems | • Gold NotePH5 preamp • Lehmann Audio Black Cube SE II preamp |
| MC X40 | Nude Shibata | Bore ultra-rigide | Purists, high-end systems without compromise | • Aurorasound Vida Prima preamp • Gold Note PH10 preamp |
The MC X Series doesn’t just enhance your hi-fi system—it reveals it. Each cartridge in this range becomes the link that transforms your system into a musical instrument, capable of reproducing the pure emotion of the original recording.
With the MC X cartridges, Ortofon proves once again that technical innovation in the service of musicality is priceless. These cartridges don’t simply reproduce music: they bring it back to life, note by note, with a fidelity that directly touches the listener’s soul.