Description
Ortofon Hi-Fi MC 90X Moving Coil Cartridge
The Ortofon Hi-Fi MC 90X Moving Coil Cartridge builds on the groundbreaking technology of the MC A90.
It features a stainless-steel structure crafted using Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology, along with the Field Stabilizing Element, Wide Range Damping, Ortofon Replicant 100 Diamond stylus, and newly developed proprietary Ortofon rubber dampers.
Review
Ortofon’s MC 90X Further Refines A Groundbreaking Design
“Smooth, supple and satiny – words not usually applied to Ortofon MCs – but this cartridge gets them…
Ortofon has re-invented a ‘classic’ design, maintaining the original’s strong suits of high detail resolution, ‘speed’, transient precision and overall timbral neutrality, while adding midband suppleness with a satiny smooth finish.“ Michael Fremer | Tracking Angle, 2025
Features
Accuracy level
For over a century, Ortofon has been dedicated to delivering music with clarity and precision. Our latest cartridge is designed to help you rediscover the sounds that have shaped your life.
Beneath its sleek blue steel exterior lies a blend of craftsmanship and innovation. It captures each note with the warmth and depth that vinyl offers, complemented by the modern technology that has made Ortofon a trusted name in audio for generations.
Stylus
Achieving linear reproduction with a wide frequency range and optimal tracking requires a diamond that closely mimics the original cutting stylus.
The Ortofon MC 90X features the Replicant 100 diamond, renowned for its thin, light profile and exceptionally large contact surface, allowing it to trace grooves with unmatched precision.
The diamond’s shape, combined with a special polishing process and a Boron cantilever, ensures exceptional transparency, speed, and responsiveness, delivering exceptional sound quality for an immersive audio experience.
Magnet system
The magnet system is inspired by the designs of previous iconic models including the Kontrapunkt series, the MC Jubilee, and the MC Windfeld. It is based on an extremely strong, compact neodymium magnet, which makes the generator system both compact and lighter through its minimal dimensions.
Ortofon’s Field Stabilizing Element, a small cylinder of conductive material strategically placed inside the magnet system, guarantees that the force field remains stable regardless of the movement of the armature.
FSE improves the channel separation, while at the same time minimizing dynamic distortion and intermodulation. The result: fantastic dynamics and even more elbow room between the musicians. You simply experience more drama and greater breadth, height and epth in the sound scenario!
Selective Laser Melting technology
Building on the groundbreaking technology of the MC A90, the MC 90X features a stainless-steel structure crafted using Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology.
The use of stainless steel in the MC 90X cartridges enhances the overall rigidity of the structure, cartridge weight, and dynamic capability. This robust material not only contributes to superior sound quality but also ensures that the cartridge is compatible with a wider range of turntables.
By achieving the optimal weight, the MC 90X maintains a perfect balance, allowing for exceptional performance across various setups.
Refined Damping System
A standout feature of the Ortofon MC 90X is the Wide Range Damping (WRD) system.
This advanced system employs a platinum disc placed between two rubber absorbers with distinct properties, ensuring superior tracking and effective damping across the entire frequency range. This design minimizes distortion and resonance, enhancing sound clarity.
Ortofon develops and manufactures its exclusive rubber compounds in-house, ensuring exceptional cartridge performance. The improved rubber components in the MC 90X play a crucial role in enhancing overall cartridge performance and delivering an unparalleled listening experience.
Specifications
- Channel balance at 1 kHz: < 0.2 dB
- Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5cm/sec: 0.25 mV
- Channel separation at 1 kHz: > 28 dB
- Frequency response 20 Hz – 20 kHz: +/- 1 dB
- Compliance, dynamic, lateral: 11 μm/mN
- Cantilever material: Boron
- Stylus type: Ortofon Replicant 100
- Stylus tip radius: r/R 5/100 μm
- Coil system: Quad coils
- Tracking force, recommended: 2.3 grams
- Internal impedance, DC resistance: 4 Ω
- Coil wire material: Aucurum (Gold-plated 6NX OFC)
- Cartridge weight: 9.5 grams
- Recommended load resistance: > 10 Ω
