Ortofon's Louis Dorio was demoing the brand's new cartridge lineup, featuring the MC X10 with elliptical stylus ($299), MC X20 with nude elliptical stylus ($499), MC X30 with nude fine-line stylus ($699), and MC X40 with nude Shibata stylus on a boron cantilever ($999).
"The MC X Series was the result of some lofty goals on our part," Dorio explained, adding that the products offer better dynamics, lower distortion, and higher resolution—much of it coming from refinements of the magnet system and rubber dampers.
Dorio also noted that the production process has been streamlined to reduce complexity. For example, all models now use silver coil wire and share the same output voltage (0.4mV), making them widely compatible with MC phono stages. Because the introduction of a new one-piece pole cylinder speeds up assembly, more of the budget can go toward premium parts such as the stainless steel MIM (metal injection molded) core, claimed to lower both mass and resonance.
Ortofon's playback system included a Technics SL-1200G turntable ($4299), Mark Levinson No.585.5 integrated amplifier ($19,500), Audiovector QR 7 SE speakers ($6500/pair) with an Audiovector QR Sub ($2219), and Audiovector's new speaker cables (prices to be announced).
Dorio played Rickie Lee Jones's "Chuck E's in Love" as a benchmark track, using the MC X10, MC X20, and MC X30 in succession. Each cartridge subtly bested its less expensive sibling, but to my ears, there was something undeniably urgent and energetic about the MC X10. I will cover all four models in my Analog Planet review.
"The MC X Series was the result of some lofty goals on our part," Dorio explained, adding that the products offer better dynamics, lower distortion, and higher resolution—much of it coming from refinements of the magnet system and rubber dampers.
Dorio also noted that the production process has been streamlined to reduce complexity. For example, all models now use silver coil wire and share the same output voltage (0.4mV), making them widely compatible with MC phono stages. Because the introduction of a new one-piece pole cylinder speeds up assembly, more of the budget can go toward premium parts such as the stainless steel MIM (metal injection molded) core, claimed to lower both mass and resonance.
Ortofon's playback system included a Technics SL-1200G turntable ($4299), Mark Levinson No.585.5 integrated amplifier ($19,500), Audiovector QR 7 SE speakers ($6500/pair) with an Audiovector QR Sub ($2219), and Audiovector's new speaker cables (prices to be announced).
Dorio played Rickie Lee Jones's "Chuck E's in Love" as a benchmark track, using the MC X10, MC X20, and MC X30 in succession. Each cartridge subtly bested its less expensive sibling, but to my ears, there was something undeniably urgent and energetic about the MC X10. I will cover all four models in my Analog Planet review.
