Ortofon MC X50 Moving Coil Cartridge

A 0.4 mV moving coil cartridge with nude Micro-Ridge stylus, boron cantilever, silver coils, and Ortofon-exclusive suspension

The Ortofon MC X50 is the flagship model in the MC X Series, combining the series’ core moving coil platform with its most advanced stylus, cantilever, and suspension package. It is designed for precise groove tracing, stable tracking, and consistent retrieval of fine record detail.

At the heart of the MC X50 is a nude Micro-Ridge diamond stylus with an exceptionally narrow side radius for accurate high-frequency tracking, reduced inner-groove distortion, and long-term stability. The stylus is paired with a boron cantilever, chosen for high stiffness and low moving mass, helping the cartridge respond quickly and cleanly to groove modulations.

The MC X Series platform uses quad coils wound with high-purity silver wire, along with a newly developed magnet system built around a one-piece pole cylinder integrated into a rear magnet yoke. The MC X50 also uses a newly formulated Ortofon rubber suspension developed specifically for this model, helping maintain controlled coil motion, stable groove contact, and low distortion.

MC X Series Construction

All MC X cartridges are built around a honeycomb-structured stainless-steel frame made using Metal Injection Molding technology. This structure provides mechanical stability for the generator system, while a Physical Vapor Deposition surface treatment helps maintain the material finish over time.

Micro Ridge and Boron

The MC X50 represents the highest level of performance in the MC X Series. Its nude Micro-Ridge stylus and boron cantilever give it the series’ most precise combination of groove contact, tracking stability, transient response, and resolution.

Specifications

Cartridge Type: Moving coil

Output Voltage: 0.4 mV

Cantilever Material: Boron

Stylus Profile: Micro-Ridge

Stylus Type: Nude

Stylus Tip Radius: r/R 2.5/75 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: 28 dB

Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz, ±1 dB

Dynamic Lateral Compliance: 14 µm/mN

Recommended Tracking Force: 2 g

Recommended Load Resistance: >50 Ω

Internal Impedance, DC Resistance: 6 Ω

Weight: 8.6 g