Unveiling Ortofon's new MC X lineup, a moving-coil cartridge featuring a boron cantilever, astonishingly priced under £1000. Could this be pure magic at our fingertips?
Let's Talk About the Ortofon MC X Range: Affordable Hi-Fi Magic
Ortofon's latest offering, the MC X range, is a four-strong army of moving-coil cartridges that's going to stir things up in the affordable audio landscape. The MC X lineup includes the budget-friendly MC X10, the mid-range MC X20, the audiophile-friendly MC X30, and the range-topping MC X40.
We were fortunate to get our ears on each model at Ortofon's digs in Denmark, and our initial impressions are nothing short of impressive. Each cartridge shows significant improvements in detail and finesse over its lower-tier counterpart.
Curious to learn more, we sat down with Ortofon's Product Director and the brains behind the MC X range- Peter Wieth Hjordt.
I work on both the commercial and technical side of Ortofon, which gives me the ability to bridge those two worlds and help the company make products that the customers, distributors, and retailers are actually asking for, rather than just what we think they should buy. I also work with the engineering team, driving the development of those new products. - Peter Wieth Hjordt, Ortofon's Product Director
Asking the Tough Questions
How did you first get started in hi-fi?
I first got interested in the early 1990s when I went into the high-end department of a local hi-fi shop. I had saved a few bucks and was ready to buy something, but I couldn't really get a proper answer to my questions. So, afterwards, I contacted the person in charge of the high-end section (who wasn't in when I visited) and ultimately ended up working there.
What are the relative merits of moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges?
Moving-magnet cartridges have the advantages of a replaceable stylus (great if you damage it or wear it out) and a higher output level, making them easier to make and requiring less of a demand on the partnering phono stage in terms of gain, noise levels, and distortion. Moving-coil cartridges have a lower mass, which is critical to tracking the detail and dynamics of the signal in the record groove. In terms of sound quality, moving-coil cartridges will tend to sound better provided your turntable and phono stage are good enough.
MAXimizing Performance
The design priorities for the new MC X range center around enhanced precision, refined materials, and innovative engineering. With all the development work we have done in recent years, I knew right from the beginning that we could get better channel balance and a wider sound separation. We could make big improvements in the magnet system as well as optimize the rubber damper (suspension) material. A lot of development has been done on rubber compounds over recent years, and I knew we could get better results. - Peter Wieth Hjordt, Ortofon's Product Director
Cartridge stylus shape plays a significant role in high-fidelity sound reproduction, determining how accurately the cartridge can track the sides of record grooves. Ortofon has prioritized this aspect for every model in the MC X range.
Why is it so important, and what is the hierarchy?
The stylus is in contact with the sides of the record groove, not the bottom. The shape of the stylus dictates the amount of contact it makes and how accurately it can track the undulations. So, that's why the narrower stylus profiles will usually sound better.
The MC X range features designs such as Spherical, Elliptical, Nude, Fine-Line, and Shibata stylus profiles, each offering different performance characteristics. The further up the range, the more refined and accurate the sound reproduction becomes.
Mastering the Art of Cartridge Design
With over 100 years of experience in the field, Ortofon continues to push boundaries toward musical perfection. If we are looking at the same way of construction and sticking with the MC principle, I think we will have new, better ways of doing the magnetic system and suspension. I'm sure there will be different materials and new alloys, as well as advanced AI simulations that help optimize the performance of every part. - Peter Wieth Hjordt, Ortofon's Product Director
The future of listening? The MC X range might just be a sneak peek at what's to come. Stay tuned for more high-end cartridge innovations from Ortofon.
Want more?- Check out the best cartridges we've tested across all budgets- Moving magnet vs moving coil cartridges: which is right for you?- Upcoming Hi-Fi products and highlights from Munich High End 2025
- At Ortofon's forthcoming event in Munich, attendees can expect a preview of the latest Hi-Fi gadgets and technology, including the MC X range of moving-coil cartridges.
- The Ortofon MC X range includes the MC X10, a budget-friendly option, the mid-range MC X20, the audiophile-friendly MC X30, and the range-topping MC X40.
- In the news, the MC X range is making waves in the audio industry for its significant improvements in detail and finesse over previous models.
- Ortofon's Product Director, Peter Wieth Hjordt, believes that the design priorities for the MC X range were enhanced precision, refined materials, and innovative engineering.
- During an interview, Peter Wieth Hjordt stated that cartridge stylus shape plays a significant role in high-fidelity sound reproduction, with the further up in the range, the more refined and accurate the sound reproduction becomes.
- For those interested in learning more about cartridges, Ortofon offers reviews and comparisons of various brands and models, including the MC X range, on their website.
- In a review of the MC X range, high-end audio experts have praised the lineup for its ability to deliver outstanding audio quality at affordable prices.
- When asked about the future of cartridge design, Peter Wieth Hjordt indicated that Ortofon will continue to push boundaries, utilizing AI simulations to optimize the performance of each part and explore new materials and alloys for improved magnetic systems and suspensions.
