Ortofon MC Xpression

Ortofon MC Xpression – High-End Moving Coil Cartridge with Headshell Integration

The Ortofon MC Xpression bridges the gap between legacy SPU-style cartridges and Ortofon’s high-end “Exclusives” series. With its lightweight, headshell-compatible design and advanced generator, the Xpression delivers top-tier analog performance in a form factor that’s easy to install on compatible arms.

 Design & Engineering Highlights

Headshell-Style SLM Body – Crafted via Selective Laser Melting (SLM) in stainless steel with proprietary TPE damping material. Its identical length and height to classic SPU cartridges ensure easy mounting and proper VTA without adjustments

Orthogonal Replicant 100 Stylus on Boron Cantilever – Features the ultra-responsive Replicant 100 nude diamond profile paired with a rigid boron cantilever for lightning-fast transient response and crystal-clear detail retrieval 

Field Stabilizing Element & Neodymium Magnet – A compact neodymium magnet system with a conductive FSE cylinder ensures magnetic field constancy, offering exceptional channel separation and soundstage separation 

Wide Range Damping (WRD) – A platinum disc sandwiched between dual rubber dampers eliminates resonances across the audio spectrum, enabling superb tracking and linearity 

Ultra-Pure Silver Wiring Inside – Delivers extremely clean signal transmission from the cartridge generator to the headshell connector 

 Technical Specifications & Performance

Output Voltage: 0.3 mV at 1 kHz (5 cm/sec) – ideal low-output MC performance compatible with most phono stages 

Channel Balance: < 0.2 dB at 1 kHz – ensures precise imaging and tonal symmetry 

Channel Separation: > 28 dB at 1 kHz; > 22 dB at 15 kHz – supports open and spacious stereo depth 

Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz with +0.5/–1.5 dB linearity – accurate across the essential music range 

Tracking Ability: 90 µm at 315 Hz – excels even in inner grooves, minimizing distortion 

Compliance: 11 µm/mN lateral – compatible with a wide range of medium-mass tonearms 

Tracking Force: 2.3–2.8 g, recommended 2.6 g – offering secure groove contact and excellent control 

Stylus Geometry: r/R 5/100 µm with 23° tracking angle – high-precision groove engagement and minimal distortion 

Internal Impedance: ≈ 4 Ω (DC), recommended load > 10 Ω – ideal for most MC capable preamps and step-up devices 

Weight: Approximately 28 g – balanced for SPU-compatible medium-mass tonearms 

 Sonic Character & Use Case

The MC Xpression blends the expressive fluidity of SPU-style sound with the precision and clarity of Ortofon’s high-end MC designs. It offers exceptional dynamic impact, delicate instrumental separation, and emotionally engaging musical communication—without the installation complexity of headshell-less cartridges 

If you’re using an SPU-compatible tonearm and are upgrading from legacy SPU cartridges—or seeking high-end MC performance with ease of installation—the Ortofon MC Xpression delivers premium analog experience with broad compatibility and superb musical expression.