Ortofon

MC X40 Moving Coil Cartridge

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.

A New Benchmark in Analog Perfection

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.

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, minimising unwanted vibrations, and enabling precise coil motion. The result is superior tracking, reduced distortion, and musical accuracy.

Experience the depth. Hear every detail.

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.

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

• Channel balance at 1 kHz: 0.5 dB
  
• Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5cm/sec: 0.4 mV
  
• Channel separation at 1 kHz: 26 dB
  
• Frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz: +/-1 dB
  
• Compliance, dynamic, lateral: 15 μm/mN
  
• Cantilever material :Boron
  
• Styles type: Nude Shibata
  
• Stylus tip radius: r/R 6/50 μm
  
• Stylus suspensions: Ortofon exclusive
  
• Coil system: Quad coils
  
• Tracking force, recommended: 2.0 grams
  
• Internal impedance, DC resistance: 6 Ω
  
• Coil wire material: High-purity silver
  
• Cartridge weight: 8.6 grams
  
• Recommended load resistance: > 50 Ω

Review

"..the reason why I’m calling everyone I know and telling them about this cartridge is the atom-smashing value it represents. The MC X40 performs far above its price point, but that’s only part of the story. "

Read full review by Sound Stage Ultra

"..by far the best in absolute terms and sacrifices some of the 'rough and ready' quality of the lesser models for a super polished sound that simply doesn't befit a lower mid-price moving coil."

Read full review by Stereonet