Ortofon MC X40 Moving Coil Cartridge
The Orotofon MC X40 is the pinnacle of the MC X Series, designed for the most discerning audiophile. Featuring a nude Shibata diamond stylus mounted on a rigid and lightweight boron cantilever, this cartridge provides unparalleled transparency, speed, and responsiveness.
In the world of vinyl playback, the cartridge is where the journey begins. A pivotal point where music rises from the groove and transforms into immersive soundscapes. With the MC X Series, Ortofon sets a new benchmark in MC cartridge design, pushing premium Moving Coil technology to unprecedented levels of performance.
Pure Silver Coil System
All MC X cartridges feature coils wound with high-purity silver wire. The use of premium materials is to ensure exceptional signal clarity, delivering sound with unmatched precision and preserving every detail without interference.
MM-Molded honeycomb-structured Core
At the core of the MC X Series is an advanced honeycomb-structured stainless-steel frame, created using Metal Injection Molding (MIM) technology.
This refined construction ensures superior mechanical stability, providing an ideal foundation for precise and accurate sound reproduction. After molding and sintering, a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) surface treatment is applied to enhance surface appearance and maintain material integrity over time.
Optimized Magnet System
The MC X Series introduces a newly developed magnet system with a one-piece pole cylinder integrated into a rear magnet yoke. Engineered for maximum magnetic efficiency and paired with pure silver coils, this configuration ensures a clean, powerful signal path that elevates overall performance.
Custom-Developed Rubber Dampers
In-house produced and developed rubber compounds form the core of the MC X Series' mechanical damping system. Rubber dampers are essential for controlling the physical movement of the coils, maintaining stability, minimizing unwanted vibrations, and enabling precise coil motion. The result is superior tracking, reduced distortion, and musical accuracy.
The Shape of Sound
The MC X Series embodies modern elegance with a distinctive design that seamlessly complements the tonearm. From afar, its silhouette speaks of minimalist refinement; up close, its intricate detailing reveals craftsmanship at every level. True to Ortofon's signature aesthetic, it's a sophisticated fusion of form and function.
Specifications
| Model Name: | MC X40 |
| Output Voltage: | 0.4 mV |
| Cantilever Material: | Boron |
| Stylus Type: | Nude Shibata |
| Stylus Tip Radius: | r/R 6/50 μm |
| Stylus Suspension: | Ortofon exclusive |
| Coil System: | Quad coils |
| Coil Wire: | High-purity silver |
| Channel Balance at 1 kHz: | 0.5 dB |
| Channel Separation at 1 kHz: | 26 dB |
| Frequency Response 20 Hz–20 kHz: | +/-1 dB |
| Dynamic Lateral Compliance: | 15 μm/mN |
| Recommended Tracking Force: | 2.0 grams |
| Recommended Load Resistance: | > 50Ω |
| Internal Impedance, DC Resistance: | 6Ω |
| Cartridge Weight: | 8.6 grams |
Customer Reviews
My starting point for selecting my new cartridge was that I was very happy with the overall balance and characteristics of my system. The reason for considering a change was to replace a worn cartridge, although I’m unclear exactly how worn, rather than looking to fix an issue.
For reference, my front end is a modern LP12 with many upgrades and an Ekos II arm. Cartridge was the Audio Technica AT-OC9XSL feeding a Vertere Phono-1 MkII. Characteristic could described as clear, detailed, punchy with no obvious tonal imbalances. Not especially warm or cool in tone.
I compared the OC9 with a Hana ML and the MC X40. For me, the Hana was a shift in the wrong direction with some clear colouration in the playback and a focus on the midrange. Dynamics were not the strongest and I felt that whilst is had a smoother top than the OC9, it didn’t excite me or engage me in the music the way I was used to.
In contrast, the MC X40 was a clear winner in this contest. Not only did it beat the OC9 in every area, it did so without introducing any compromises. Bass was better defined with more depth and punch. More detail in the midrange meant the image was locked in place. Finally the treble was less splashy, although I previously wouldn’t have said the OC9 was particularly deficientin this area.
Overall this cartridge make the listening experience more immersive. You’re with the performers, not just observing them from a distance. Having installed the deck back home, all of the characteristics from the demo translated to my home system and I am truly delighted with the reproduction. It’s a clear winner for the MC X40 and not by a little.
Hi Mark,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with the Ortofon MC X40 Moving Coil Cartridge. We are thrilled to hear that it was a clear winner in comparison to your previous cartridge. We do our best to provide products that we are really proud of, and ejoy ourselves, so we are glad that the MC X40 has delivered on that for you. We appreciate your detailed feedback and are happy to hear that it translated well to your home system. We hope you continue to enjoy the MC X40 for many years to come! Should you ever require any assistance, or ever have any questions, we are here for you Mark.
Doug Brady HiFi
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