Ortofon MC Xpression
• Superb sonic balance, powerful dynamics and fluid body
• SME mount type
• Nude Ortofon Replicant 100 (Special Polished Version) stylus profile with Boron cantilever
Exclusive Series
The state of the art Ortofon Xpression cartridge represents the perfect combination of three distinct characteristics pioneered by Ortofon:
• Use of the cutting edge SLM materials, a technology pioneered on the MC A90 and SPU 90th Anniversary models.
• Modification of the all-new generator system introduced with the MC A90 and the MC Windfeld models.
• Ortofon's design tradition.
The Xpression cartridge bridges the gap between SPU-type cartridges and High-End cartridges like the MC A90 and the MC Windfeld, which are designed for headshell mounting. The result is a high-performance moving coil cartridge with the convenience of a standard headshell connector. This method of connection provides a simple and elegant method of directly connecting the generator and tonearm via the Xpression’s one-piece body.
Since the cartridge length is identical to that of an SPU, the Xpression can easily be fitted onto tonearms without additional concern for proper alignment. The cartridge height is likewise identical to the SPU height, which makes further VTA adjustments unnecessary.
The length of the cartridge ensures a proper match with SME-mount type tonearms (e.g. SME, Grace, Fidelity Research, SAEC and Micro Seiki brands), while the mass and compliance properties of the Xpression ensure that a proper match will be achieved with any SPU-compatible arm. The Xpression can ideally be combined with the Ortofon TA-110 tonearm.
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A distinctive and elegant design:
The presentation of the Ortofon Xpression is a continuation of the new paradigm in engineering and manufacturing, introduced by the MC A90. Total freedom from resonance in the audible frequency range is a precondition for optimal sound quality, and the design of the Xpression has been dictated by this requirement from the very beginning.
An engineering feature adding to the damping capability of the Xpression cartridge is the recently developed Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process, in which fine particles of stainless steel are welded together, layer-by-layer, to construct a single piece body devoid of unnecessary material. Using this technique the density of the body can be precisely controlled, allowing for extremely high internal damping. The final result provides absolute freedom from resonances existing in the cartridge body material and allows for the Xpression to be perfectly matched with an extremely wide array of different tonearms. Because of the nature of SLM-based construction, each cartridge body is cosmetically unique and will show small dimples or lines under close examination.
By combining the utilization of this SLM process and our patented WRD system, we are confident that the perfect mechanical integration of this cartridge with your tonearm will result in a significant and breathtaking increase in dynamics, staging, resolution and richness.
Also helping to achieve the Xpression’s accuracy and sonic purity is the use of ultra-high-purity silver for internal wiring between the generator and headshell connector. The Xpression, although derived from the materials and techniques employed with the A90 cartridge, finds a superb sonic balance between the literal precision of the A90 and the powerful dynamics and fluid body of its SPU predecessors.
Finally, the bottom cover has been constructed from a special proprietary TPE (Thermo-Plastic Elastomer) material, which provides extremely high damping. Also included is an easy-to-grab finger lift as well as a simple to use stylus guard._______________________________________________
Key Features:
- Superb sonic balance, powerful dynamics and fluid body
- Cartridge length and height identical to SPU
- SME mount type
- Internal coils from the famous Ortofon Aucurum wire, which is a gold plated 6NX copper wire
- SLM Stainless Steel and Special Proprietary TPE Compound body
- Nude Ortofon Replicant 100 (Special Polished Version) stylus profile with Boron cantilever
Ortofon MC Xpression
Output Voltage (at 1kHz, 5cm/sec): 0.3mV Channel Balance at 1kHz: < 0.2dB Channel Separation at 1kHz: > 28dB Channel Separation at 15kHz: > 22dB Frequency Range (at -3dB): 10Hz - 60kHz 20Hz - 20kHz FIM Distortion: +0.5 / -1.5dB Tracking Ability at 315Hz: Typically 90μm Compliance, Dynamic, Lateral: 11μm / mN Stylus Type: Nude Ortofon Replicant 100
Special Polished VersionCantilever: Boron Stylus Tip Radius r / R: 5 / 100μm Tracking Force Range: 2.3 - 2.8g (23 - 28mN) Recommended Tracking Force: 2.6g (26mN) Tracking Angle: 23º Internal Impedance / DC Resistance: 4Ω Recommended Load Impedance: > 10Ω Cartridge Body Material: SLM Stainless Steel And
Special Proprietary TPE CompoundCartridge Colour: Black / Black Cartridge Weight: 13.0g