{"product_id":"ortofon-mc-x40","title":"Ortofon MC X40","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt'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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy the MC X40?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoron 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat you'll hear\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIncomparable 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho is the MC X40 for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: MC cartridge (moving coil, low output)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStylus profile: nude Shibata\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCantilever: boron\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTip radius: r\/R 6\/50 µm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput voltage (1 kHz, 5 cm\/s): 0.4 mV\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChannel balance (1 kHz): 0.5 dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChannel separation (1 kHz): 26 dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrequency response (20 Hz–20 kHz): ±1 dB\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStylus compliance (dynamic, lateral): 15 µm\/mN\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTracking force (recommended): 2.0 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternal impedance (DC): 6 ohms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommended load impedance: \u0026gt; 50 ohms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoil system: four-coil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoil wire: ultra-pure silver\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHousing material: stainless steel (MIM, honeycomb structure)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 8.6 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhich phono stage does the Ortofon MC X40 need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat does Shibata on boron bring over the X30?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWill the MC X40 fit my tonearm?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eGenerally, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy the Ortofon MC X40 at HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecause 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGet more out of the X40: find alignment tools and matching accessories under \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/plattenspieler-zubehor\"\u003eTurntable accessories\u003c\/a\u003e, and everything for a clean groove under \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/platten-reinigung\"\u003eRecord cleaning\u003c\/a\u003e. Everything else around your turntable is in \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/alles-vinyl\"\u003eAll things vinyl\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ortofon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52989549183312,"sku":"304341","price":999.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/ortofon-mc-x40-tonabnehmer-perspektive-links.png?v=1786625439","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/ortofon-mc-x40","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}