{"product_id":"ortofon-mc-90x","title":"Ortofon MC 90X","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Ortofon MC 90X is a high-quality moving-coil cartridge with a nude Replicant 100 diamond on a boron cantilever and a 3D-printed (SLM) stainless-steel body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the MC 90X?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe MC 90X carries forward the ideas of the legendary A90 and combines them with a new rubber compound in the damping system. The Selective Laser Melting–printed stainless-steel body is extremely rigid and low in resonance, and the Field Stabilizing Element (FSE) keeps the magnetic field constant. Together with Wide Range Damping technology (WRD), the Replicant 100 diamond stays cleanly on track even with complex signals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you'll hear\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very clean, precise and yet smooth reproduction with expansive imaging and fine resolution. The MC 90X lays bare detail without ever sounding analytical or hard — instruments get air and a clearly defined place on the soundstage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is the MC 90X for — and who isn't it for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdeal for demanding analog listeners with a high-quality turntable, a good tonearm and a low-noise MC phono stage. \u003cstrong\u003eBottom line:\u003c\/strong\u003e at only 0.25 mV output voltage, the MC 90X needs a very good MC input or a transformer — on an underpowered phono input it will sound starved. If your system doesn't (yet) have that level, you'd do better to invest first in tonearm and phono stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe MC 90X isn't a sober measuring instrument, but a precision cartridge with musicality: technically at reference level, sonically grown-up and smooth. Hi-Fi News named it an Outstanding Product in 2025. On the right system, an honest piece of high-end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the specialist press says:\u003c\/strong\u003e “…the Ortofon MC 90X charms with a performance that can deal with Van Halen and Van Cliburn… At the price? A champ.” – Hi-Fi News (Ken Kessler, 2025), “Outstanding Product” award, sound quality 88%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: moving-coil cartridge (MC)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStylus profile: Ortofon Replicant 100 (nude), r\/R 5\/100 µm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCantilever: boron\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput voltage: 0.25 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm\/s)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChannel balance: \u0026lt; 0.2 dB (1 kHz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChannel separation: \u0026gt; 28 dB (1 kHz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrequency response: 20–20,000 Hz (±1 dB)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStylus compliance: 11 µm\/mN\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommended tracking force: 2.3 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternal impedance: 4 Ω\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommended load: \u0026gt; 10 Ω\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoil material: Aucurum (gold-plated 6NX OFC)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHousing material: SLM stainless steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 9.5 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat's included: cartridge, stylus guard, mounting hardware, cleaning brush, individual test report, storage box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich phono stage does the Ortofon MC 90X need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause of its low output voltage of 0.25 mV, the MC 90X needs a low-noise MC phono stage or a high-quality step-up transformer. On a pure MM input it will play too quietly and sound weak. We'll tell you which combination suits your system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow critical is alignment for the Replicant 100 profile?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery critical. The Replicant 100 diamond demands exact tracking angle, azimuth and tracking force, or you'll waste resolution and risk uneven wear. For precise mounting, it's best to bring the MC 90X to us in Wädenswil — our technician Mauri sets it up cleanly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy the Ortofon MC 90X at HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause a cartridge of this class lives on installation and matching. Our experienced specialist team gives you an honest assessment of whether the MC 90X suits your turntable, tonearm and phono stage, mounts and aligns it precisely and stays by your side for service and future upgrades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGoes well with:\u003c\/strong\u003e a matching \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/phono-vorverstarker\"\u003ephono preamp\u003c\/a\u003e, a high-quality \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/plattenspieler\"\u003eturntable\u003c\/a\u003e as a foundation and other \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/tonabnehmer\"\u003ecartridges\u003c\/a\u003e to compare.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ortofon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52989549216080,"sku":"304174","price":4999.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/ortofon-mc-90x-tonabnehmer-perspektive-links.jpg?v=1786624741","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/ortofon-mc-90x","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}