Ortofon MC X10
Ortofon MC X10 moving coil cartridge, elliptical diamond and aluminium cantilever, entry point of the MC X range for precise and natural vinyl playback.
Description
The MC X10 is a moving coil (MC) cartridge from Ortofon, designed to fit a turntable headshell and convert the grooves on a record into an electrical signal. It is the entry-level model in the Ortofon MC X series, a range spanning from the MC X10 to the MC X40 depending on the finish level and components used.
The diamond is elliptical in shape, mounted on an aluminium cantilever, a combination that favours precise groove tracing while remaining smooth to listen to. The stylus tip radius is r/R 8/18 μm. The cartridge delivers an output voltage of 0.4 mV and has an internal impedance (DC resistance) of 6 Ω, with a recommended load resistance above 50 Ω: values that must be respected to match it correctly to the phono stage used.
Signal generation relies on 4 coils mounted on split pole pieces (2+ and 2-), wound with high-purity silver-plated copper. The suspension, made of rubber, is designed and manufactured by Ortofon. The cartridge offers a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz at +/- 2 dB, a channel balance at 1 kHz of 0.5 dB and a channel separation at 1 kHz of 24 dB. Lateral dynamic compliance is 13 μm/mN, and the diamond weight is 8.6 g. The recommended tracking force is 2.0 g.
This cartridge is aimed at vinyl enthusiasts looking to get started with moving coil cartridges without immediately aiming for the top of the MC X range, on a turntable fitted with an MC-compatible phono stage suited to its low output voltage and low impedance.
Technical specifications
| Diamond | Elliptical |
| Cantilever | Aluminium |
| Output voltage | 0.4 mV |
| Stylus tip radius | r/R 8/18 μm |
| Suspension | Rubber designed and manufactured by Ortofon |
| Coils | 4 coils on split pole pieces (2+ and 2-) |
| Copper | High-purity silver-plated |
| Channel balance at 1 kHz | 0.5 dB |
| Channel separation at 1 kHz | 24 dB |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz, +/- 2 dB |
| Lateral dynamic compliance | 13 μm/mN |
| Recommended tracking force | 2.0 g |
| Recommended load resistance | > 50 Ω |
| Internal impedance (DC resistance) | 6 Ω |
| Diamond weight | 8.6 g |
What to check before buying used
Check the condition of the elliptical tip and the aluminium cantilever, which are particularly sensitive to knocks and to wear that is invisible to the naked eye after several hundred hours of playback. The rubber suspension may harden or lose flexibility over time, which affects dynamic compliance and therefore groove-tracking quality. Also check the channel balance and for any noise or distortion, which can indicate ageing coils or a faulty connection at the pins.
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