Ortofon MC X40 Cartridge

Regular price $1,449.00

Taxes calculated at checkout.

Ortofon MC X40 Cartridge

Shibata stylis

The MC X40 features a Shibata stylus - the finest stylis profile possible - to really go into the finest micro modulations of a record. It reveals greater depth and definition, uncovering the full character of each track.

Boron cantilever

Boron is used in high-end moving coil cartridges because its extreme stiffness and low mass (lightweight) allow the stylus to accelerate faster and track, high-frequency signals with greater accuracy. It reduces resonance and unwanted vibrations, resulting in a faster, more transparent, and natural sound with improved detail, resolution, and transient response compared to aluminum

Why Moving Coil?

In a cartridge the stylis is connected to a magnet in Moving Magnet (MM) designs, or to a Coil in Moving Coil (MC) designs. The advantage of the coil is lower mass, which means a faster response to groove modulations.

However..

You will need a phono pre-amp compatible with Moving Coil

Here is what makes the Ortfon MC X40 special;

Pure Silver Coil System

All MC X cartridges feature coils wound with high-purity silver wire. The use of premium materials is to ensure exceptional signal clarity, delivering sound with unmatched precision and preserving every detail without interference.

Magnet system

The MC X Series introduces a newly developed magnet system with a one-piece pole cylinder integrated into a rear magnet yoke. Engineered for maximum magnetic efficiency and paired with pure silver coils, this configuration ensures a clean, powerful signal path that elevates overall performance.

Custom-Developed Rubber Dampers

In-house produced and developed rubber compounds form the core of the MC X Series’ mechanical damping system. Rubber dampers are essential for controlling the physical movement of the coils, maintaining stability, minimizing unwanted vibrations, and enabling precise coil motion. The result is superior tracking, reduced distortion, and musical accuracy.

Reviews

Ortofon's "Top Gun" X40 MC X Series Delivers the Sonic Goods

“...the X40 out of the box produced the sonic gut punch and more.
…it was surprisingly easy to "let go" of the 90X and just settle into the X40. That is how good it is, particularly in terms of timbral balance, macrodynamics, image solidity, soundstage depth and three-dimensionality.
This cartridge's sonic performance is world's beyond the old Quintet Black

“…this was a cartridge and phono preamp that completely satisfied in every way: black backgrounds, rhythmic dexterity, spatial mono integrity, timbral and especially textural correctness: musicians in a room magically brought to life.
Light on its feet, but not 'lightweight" and always in control, the X40 laid the music out with exceptional flow, harmonic generosity, effortless top to bottom balance and an overall sense of "rightness" that record after record, regardless of musical genre left me satisfied every time."

Michael Fremer Tracking Angle, July 2025 read the review

Awarded “Product of the Year”

“Honoured with StereoNet’s “Product of the Year” award in the Phono Cartridge category, the MC X40 is celebrated for delivering a “lovely, smooth, delicate and open sound that echoes the character of genuine high-end designs.”

"This range-topping version of Ortofon’s new entry-level moving coil cartridge line sounds significantly superior to the model immediately below it – the already impressive MC X30 – for not much more money. Its special sauce is the boron cantilever, which is a mark of any serious MC. Lighter, more rigid and less resonant, it imbues the ’40 with a lovely, smooth, delicate and open sound which more closely resembles a high-end design. Fine tracking from its nude Shibata stylus, plus its detailed yet punchy character, make this an audiophile bargain. Affordable high-end for vinylistas, you might say."

read the review

Specifications

Channel balance at 1 kHz 0.5 dB
Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5cm/sec 0.4 mV
Channel separation at 1 kHz 26 dB
Frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz +/-1 dB
Compliance, dynamic, lateral 15 μm/mN
Cantilever material Boron
Stylus type Nude Shibata
Stylus tip radius r/R 6/50 μm
Coil system Quad coils
Tracking force, recommended 2.0 grams
Internal impedance, DC resistance 6 Ω
Coil wire material High-purity silver
Cartridge weight 8.6 grams
Recommended load resistance > 50 Ω