Ortofon
Ortofon MC X40 Moving Coil Cartridge | The Grid HiFi
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Ortofon MC X40 Moving Coil Cartridge | The Grid HiFi
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Overview
Ortofon MC X40 Moving Coil Phono Cartridge
Nude Shibata stylus. Boron cantilever. High-purity silver coils.
The Ortofon MC X40 is the flagship of the four-model MC X Series, combining a Nude Shibata diamond stylus with a lightweight, rigid boron cantilever. This advanced stylus assembly is engineered for precise groove tracking, exceptional detail retrieval, and a spacious, natural presentation.
The MC X40 also features Ortofon’s high-purity silver quad-coil system, optimized magnetic circuit, and honeycomb-structured stainless-steel frame. Custom-developed rubber dampers help control unwanted vibration and maintain stable stylus movement.
With a 0.4 mV output, the MC X40 is designed for a compatible moving coil phono stage.
Key Features
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Nude Shibata diamond stylus: 6/50 µm profile for precise groove contact.
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Boron cantilever: Lightweight, rigid construction for responsive tracking.
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High-purity silver coils: Quad-coil moving coil generator.
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Optimized magnet system: One-piece pole cylinder integrated with a rear magnet yoke.
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Custom rubber dampers: Developed by Ortofon to stabilize coil movement.
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Stainless-steel frame: Honeycomb structure manufactured using Metal Injection Molding (MIM).
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PVD surface treatment: Applied to the frame for appearance and material integrity.
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Standard ½-inch mounting: Compatible with suitably matched tonearms.
Complete Technical Specifications
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Specification |
Ortofon MC X40 |
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Cartridge type |
Moving coil (MC) |
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Mounting type |
Standard ½-inch |
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Stylus type |
Nude Shibata |
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Stylus tip radius |
r/R 6/50 µm |
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Cantilever material |
Boron |
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Stylus suspension |
Ortofon exclusive |
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Coil system |
Quad coils |
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Coil wire material |
High-purity silver |
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Magnet system |
One-piece pole cylinder integrated with rear magnet yoke |
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Cartridge frame |
MIM stainless steel with honeycomb core structure |
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Surface treatment |
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) |
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Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec |
0.4 mV |
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Channel balance at 1 kHz |
0.5 dB |
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Channel separation at 1 kHz |
26 dB |
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Frequency response, 20 Hz–20 kHz |
±1 dB |
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Dynamic lateral compliance |
15 µm/mN |
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Recommended tracking force |
2.0 g |
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Internal impedance / DC resistance |
6 Ω |
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Recommended load resistance |
Greater than 50 Ω |
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Cartridge weight |
8.6 g |
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Cartridge color |
Black |
What Makes the MC X40 Different?
The MC X40 introduces two important changes over the MC X30: a Nude Shibata stylus in place of the Nude Fine Line design and a boron cantilever in place of aluminum.
The Shibata stylus features a 6/50 µm profile designed to trace fine groove information. Its lightweight, rigid boron cantilever supports responsive movement and accurate tracking. Together, these components distinguish the MC X40 from the other models in the series.
Ortofon MC X Series Comparison
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Model |
Stylus |
Cantilever |
Output |
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MC X10 |
Elliptical |
Aluminum |
0.4 mV |
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MC X20 |
Nude Elliptical |
Aluminum |
0.4 mV |
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MC X30 |
Nude Fine Line |
Aluminum |
0.4 mV |
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MC X40 |
Nude Shibata |
Boron |
0.4 mV |
The four cartridges share the MC X Series’ silver-coil and magnetic-system architecture, with the stylus and cantilever configurations providing the principal model distinctions.
Compatibility & Installation
The MC X40 uses standard ½-inch mounting and requires a compatible tonearm. Its low 0.4 mV output calls for 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 and a tracking force of 2.0 grams.
Discover Ortofon at The Grid HiFi. Our Houston team can assist with cartridge selection, turntable compatibility, 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.