Ortofon MC X30
Ortofon MC X30 moving coil cartridge, fitted with a Nude Fine Line diamond, designed for vinyl enthusiasts seeking precise and dynamic listening.
Description
The MC X30 is a moving coil (MC) cartridge from Ortofon, designed to be fitted to a tonearm and reproduce the signal cut into the groove of a vinyl record. It belongs to the Ortofon MC X series, a range of cartridges available in different finishing levels, of which the MC X30 represents one of the upper intermediate tiers.
This cartridge is fitted with a Nude Fine Line cut diamond, mounted on an aluminium cantilever. This stylus shape, combined with an r/R 8/40 μm stylus tip radius, allows for more precise tracking of the micro-detail cut into the groove than simpler diamond shapes. The suspension, made from rubber designed and manufactured by Ortofon, contributes to holding the stylus in the groove and to the vertical dynamic compliance, here 15 μm/mN.
The coil assembly is built on a 4-coil architecture mounted on split pole pieces (2+ and 2-), using high-purity silver-plated copper. The output voltage is 0.4 mV, with an internal impedance (DC resistance) of 6 Ω and a recommended load resistance above 50 Ω. The frequency response is stated as ± 1 dB between 20 Hz and 20 kHz, with a channel balance at 1 kHz of 0.5 dB and channel separation at 1 kHz of 26 dB.
This cartridge is aimed at users who already have an MC-compatible phono preamplifier, or a dedicated MC phono input, capable of accepting an output voltage as low as 0.4 mV. It suits demanding listening, where reproducing the record's nuance and dynamics is the priority.
Technical specifications
| Diamond | Nude Fine Line |
| Cantilever | Aluminium |
| Output voltage | 0.4 mV |
| Stylus tip radius | r/R 8/40 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 | 26 dB |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz, +/- 1 dB |
| Vertical dynamic compliance | 15 μm/mN |
| Recommended tracking force | 2.0 g |
| Recommended load resistance | > 50 Ω |
| Internal impedance (DC resistance) | 6 Ω |
| Stylus weight | 8.6 g |
What to check before buying used
The Nude Fine Line stylus is the number one point to check: verify there is no visible wear under magnification and that the aluminium cantilever is intact, as it is particularly exposed to knocks during handling. The rubber suspension, which ensures the cartridge's dynamic compliance, stiffens over time even without use and can affect groove tracking on an older unit. Also check the channel balance when listening, as an imbalance may indicate damaged coils.
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