Ortofon
Ortofon MC X20 Moving Coil Cartridge | The Grid HiFi
Pairs well with
Ortofon MC X20 Moving Coil Cartridge | The Grid HiFi
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible, within 24 hours on weekdays.
-
Shipping Information
Use this text to answer questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.
-
Customer Support
Use this text to answer questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.
-
FAQ’s
Use this text to answer questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.
-
Contact Us
Use this text to answer questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.
Overview
Ortofon MC X20 Moving Coil Phono Cartridge
Nude Elliptical stylus. High-purity silver coils. 0.4 mV output.
The Ortofon MC X20 takes the MC X Series a step further with a Nude Elliptical diamond stylus, designed to improve groove contact, detail retrieval, and tracking precision.
Its aluminum cantilever, high-purity silver quad-coil system, and optimized magnetic circuit work together to preserve delicate musical information. A honeycomb-structured stainless-steel frame provides mechanical stability, while Ortofon's custom-developed rubber suspension controls unwanted vibration.
With a 0.4 mV output, the MC X20 is designed for use with a compatible moving coil phono stage.
OUTPUT
0.4 mV
TRACKING FORCE
2.0 g
WEIGHT
8.6 g
Key Features
-
Nude Elliptical diamond stylus with an 8/18 µm profile.
-
Aluminum cantilever for precise groove tracking.
-
Quad-coil system wound with high-purity silver wire.
-
Optimized magnet system with an integrated pole cylinder and rear magnet yoke.
-
Proprietary rubber suspension for controlled stylus movement.
-
Honeycomb-structured stainless-steel frame manufactured using Metal Injection Molding (MIM).
-
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) surface treatment.
-
Standard ½-inch mounting for compatible turntables.
Complete Technical Specifications
|
Specification |
Ortofon MC X20 |
|---|---|
|
Cartridge type |
Moving coil (MC) |
|
Mounting type |
Standard ½-inch |
|
Stylus type |
Nude Elliptical |
|
Stylus tip radius |
r/R 8/18 µm |
|
Cantilever material |
Aluminum |
|
Stylus suspension |
Ortofon proprietary suspension |
|
Coil system |
Quad coils |
|
Coil wire material |
High-purity silver |
|
Magnet system |
Optimized magnetic circuit with integrated pole cylinder and rear magnet yoke |
|
Cartridge frame |
Honeycomb-structured stainless steel |
|
Frame manufacturing |
Metal Injection Molding (MIM) |
|
Surface treatment |
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) |
|
Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec |
0.4 mV |
|
Channel balance at 1 kHz |
0.5 dB |
|
Channel separation at 1 kHz |
25 dB |
|
Frequency response, 20 Hz–20 kHz |
±1 dB |
|
Dynamic lateral compliance |
15 µm/mN |
|
Recommended tracking force |
2.0 g |
|
Internal impedance / DC resistance |
6 Ω |
|
Recommended load resistance |
Greater than 50 Ω |
|
Cartridge weight |
8.6 g |
|
Cartridge color |
Black |
Ortofon MC X Series: Which Model Is Different?
The MC X10, X20, X30, and X40 share a common engineering platform, including high-purity silver coils, a redesigned magnetic system, and stainless-steel frame construction. Their principal differences are the stylus and cantilever designs.
|
Model |
Stylus |
Cantilever |
Output |
|---|---|---|---|
|
MC X10 |
Elliptical |
Aluminum |
0.4 mV |
|
MC X20 |
Nude Elliptical |
Aluminum |
0.4 mV |
|
MC X30 |
Nude Fine Line |
Aluminum |
0.4 mV |
|
MC X40 |
Nude Shibata |
Boron |
0.4 mV |
The MC X20's defining upgrade over the X10 is its Nude Elliptical stylus. Unlike a bonded diamond, a nude diamond is mounted directly to the cantilever, reducing the mass of the stylus assembly and supporting more responsive groove tracking.
Compatibility & Installation
The MC X20 uses standard ½-inch mounting and requires a compatible tonearm. Its low 0.4 mV output requires a suitable moving coil phono stage or an appropriately matched step-up transformer and phono preamplifier.
Ortofon specifies a recommended load resistance greater than 50 ohms.
Explore Ortofon at The Grid HiFi. Our Houston team can help with cartridge selection, turntable setup, and moving coil phono stage matching.
FAQs
Please read our FAQs page to find out more.
Do you price match?
Yes. We match any authorised dealer, including big-box retailers. If you find the same product at a lower price, contact us and we'll match it.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes — free shipping on every order, with 2-day delivery available on most products. Easy returns and exchanges are included.
Where is your showroom?
We're at 6362 Alder Drive, Houston, Texas. The showroom lets you hear and compare reference-level systems in person before making any decisions. If you're considering a larger purchase or installation, it's well worth the visit.
Can I buy online without visiting the showroom?
Yes. The full product range is available through the online store with free nationwide shipping. For more complex system builds, speaking with one of our advisers first tends to lead to a better result.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. Special financing is available through the BrandSource Credit Card for qualifying purchases, allowing you to spread payments over time with no annual fee. Promotional rebate savings are also available periodically. See the financing page for full details.
Do you install systems as well as sell equipment?
Yes — installation is central to what we do. We design and install whole-home audio and video, home theaters, media rooms, outdoor audio, lighting and motorised shades, and full smart home automation.
Do you provide support after installation?
Yes. We provide ongoing service and support to ensure systems continue performing as intended — not just on installation day, but over the long term.