Welche Phonostufe braucht der Ortofon MC X40?

Eine MC-fähige Phono-Vorstufe oder ein Step-up-Übertrager. Mit 0,4 mV ist der X40 ein Low-Output-MC; Ortofon empfiehlt eine Abschlussimpedanz von mehr als 50 Ohm. Wir bei HD Zürisee richten dir das passend ein.

Was bringt Shibata auf Bor gegenüber dem X30?

Der Bor-Nadelträger ist steifer und leichter als das Aluminium des X30, die Shibata-Nadel liest Höhen noch genauer aus als ein Fine-Line. Das ergibt mehr Geschwindigkeit, Transparenz und eine ruhigere Bühne. Der X40 ist hörbar das Topmodell der Serie.

Passt der MC X40 an meinen Tonarm?

In der Regel ja. Mit 8,6 g Gewicht und 15 µm/mN dynamischer Compliance passt der X40 an die meisten leichten bis mittelschweren Tonarme. Sein Potenzial zeigt er aber nur an einem mechanisch ruhigen Arm – die Resonanzfrequenz prüfen wir bei Bedarf mit dir.

Warum den Ortofon MC X40 bei HD Zürisee kaufen?

Weil wir dich ehrlich beraten, welcher MC-X zu deiner Anlage passt und welche Phonostufe dazugehört. Als autorisierter Fachhändler in Wädenswil kümmern wir uns um die Abstimmung, und unser Techniker Mauri montiert und justiert das System auf Wunsch fachgerecht. Ruf an oder schreib uns.

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Ortofon MC X40

CHF 999.00

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The Ortofon MC X40 is a low-output moving-coil cartridge with a nude Shibata diamond stylus on a boron cantilever and coils of ultra-pure silver.

It's the flagship of the MC-X series, made for the most demanding: Shibata profile on stiff, light boron — bringing transparency and speed that the smaller X models can't reach.

Why the MC X40?

Boron is significantly stiffer and lighter than aluminum and lowers moving mass — the cartridge reacts lightning fast. The nude Shibata stylus has a large vertical contact line and reads high frequencies with particular accuracy and gentleness. Together with the ultra-pure silver coils and the metal-injection-molded stainless-steel frame, the X40 is the highest-resolving system in the series.

What you'll hear

Incomparable transparency, speed and responsiveness: the X40 lays bare the finest detail, plays lightning fast and cleanly and draws a big, calm soundstage. That's high-end character at a series price.

Who is the MC X40 for?

For audiophile vinyl listeners with a good system who want to get the maximum out of the MC-X series. Bottom line: on a weak phono stage or a wobbly tonearm, you're wasting its potential — the X40 wants a clean environment. Anyone who wants even more moves on to the Cadenza series and up.

Our verdict

The X40 is the crown of the MC-X series: Shibata-on-boron resolution that plays well above its price tag. The specialist press agrees: SoundStage! lists it as a Recommended Reference Component (2025), and StereoNet named it Product of the Year 2026 in the Phono Cartridge category. We at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil will tell you honestly whether your system does it justice — and whether stepping into the Cadenza series might be worthwhile.

Technical specifications

Type: MC cartridge (moving coil, low output)
Stylus profile: nude Shibata
Cantilever: boron
Tip radius: r/R 6/50 µm
Output voltage (1 kHz, 5 cm/s): 0.4 mV
Channel balance (1 kHz): 0.5 dB
Channel separation (1 kHz): 26 dB
Frequency response (20 Hz–20 kHz): ±1 dB
Stylus compliance (dynamic, lateral): 15 µm/mN
Tracking force (recommended): 2.0 g
Internal impedance (DC): 6 ohms
Recommended load impedance: > 50 ohms
Coil system: four-coil
Coil wire: ultra-pure silver
Housing material: stainless steel (MIM, honeycomb structure)
Weight: 8.6 g

Frequently asked questions

Which phono stage does the Ortofon MC X40 need?

An MC-capable phono preamp or a step-up transformer. At 0.4 mV the X40 is a low-output MC; Ortofon recommends a load impedance of more than 50 ohms. We at HD Zürisee will set this up for you correctly.

What does Shibata on boron bring over the X30?

The boron cantilever is stiffer and lighter than the X30's aluminum, and the Shibata stylus reads highs even more accurately than a Fine Line. That results in more speed, transparency and a calmer soundstage. The X40 is audibly the series' flagship.

Will the MC X40 fit my tonearm?

Generally, yes. At 8.6 g and 15 µm/mN dynamic compliance, the X40 fits most light to medium-mass tonearms. It only shows its full potential, though, on a mechanically calm arm — we'll check the resonance frequency with you if needed.

Why buy the Ortofon MC X40 at HD Zürisee?

Because we give you honest advice on which MC-X suits your system and which phono stage belongs with it. As an authorized dealer in Wädenswil, we take care of the matching, and our technician Mauri mounts and aligns the system properly on request. Call or write to us.

Goes well with

Get more out of the X40: find alignment tools and matching accessories under Turntable accessories, and everything for a clean groove under Record cleaning. Everything else around your turntable is in All things vinyl.