Ortofon
Ortofon MC X50 Moving Coil Cartridge | The Grid HiFi
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Ortofon MC X50 Moving Coil Cartridge | The Grid HiFi
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Overview
Ortofon MC X50 Moving Coil Phono Cartridge
Nude Micro Ridge stylus. Boron cantilever. Dedicated suspension.
The Ortofon MC X50 is the newest addition to the MC X Series, introduced in June 2026 as its flagship moving coil cartridge. Building on the engineering of the MC X10, X20, X30, and X40, the MC X50 introduces a Nude Micro Ridge diamond stylus, boron cantilever, and a newly developed suspension designed specifically for this model.
Its exceptionally fine 2.5/75 µm stylus profile is engineered for precise groove tracing and retrieval of delicate musical information. High-purity silver coils, an optimized magnetic circuit, and a rigid stainless-steel frame complete Ortofon’s latest expression of the MC X platform.
OUTPUT
0.4 mV
TRACKING FORCE
2.0 g
SEPARATION
28 dB
Key Features
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Nude Micro Ridge stylus: 2.5/75 µm profile for precise groove contact.
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Boron cantilever: Lightweight, rigid construction for responsive tracking.
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MC X50-specific suspension: Newly developed rubber compound for controlled stylus and coil movement.
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High-purity silver coils: Part of the MC X Series moving coil generator.
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Optimized magnetic circuit: One-piece pole cylinder integrated with the rear magnet yoke.
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Rigid cartridge body: Metal Injection Molded stainless steel with a honeycomb core.
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Standard ½-inch mounting: For compatible turntables and tonearms.
Complete Technical Specifications
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Specification |
Ortofon MC X50 |
|---|---|
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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 Micro Ridge |
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Stylus tip radius |
r/R 2.5/75 µm |
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Cantilever material |
Boron |
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Stylus suspension |
MC X50-specific rubber compound |
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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 body |
MIM stainless steel with honeycomb core |
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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 |
28 dB |
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Frequency response, 20 Hz–20 kHz |
±1 dB |
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Dynamic lateral compliance |
14 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 X50 Different?
The MC X50 retains the boron cantilever found on the MC X40 but replaces its Nude Shibata stylus with a Nude Micro Ridge diamond. It also receives a newly formulated suspension developed specifically for the X50.
Its published channel separation is 28 dB, compared with 26 dB for the MC X40. The MC X50's dynamic lateral compliance is 14 µm/mN, versus 15 µm/mN for the X40.
Complete Ortofon MC X Series
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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 |
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MC X50 |
Nude Micro Ridge |
Boron |
0.4 mV |
Ortofon's US collection confirms all five models.
Compatibility & Installation
The MC X50 uses standard ½-inch mounting and produces a low 0.4 mV output. Pair it with a compatible moving coil phono stage or an appropriately matched step-up transformer and phono preamplifier. Ortofon recommends a 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, tonearm 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.