Ortofon MC X50
A friend just returned from High End Vienna and has mailed myself and a friend to let us know they had a tremendous experience with an Ortofon Engineer who stated the MC X50 has shown itself to be a Cartridge that really does create sound with substantial qualities. I won't elaborate on what was actually in the mail, but will state my friends being compelled to pass on this information.
An X40 and X50 were being demo'd with the same TT>Tonearm>Headshell.
My friend and those with him were extremely impressed by the MC X50 and stated it is quite bit beyond the X40 in the finesse able to be perceived.
The X50 was causing excitement and was being whispered about as being very close to the best on offer from ortofon, not that my friends were given that comparison.
For myself, the use of a Silver Coil is a big Tick in the box, especially now Orton has vastly improved their winding methodology on these new Cartridges. Eddy influences are substantially reduced as a result. The new damper compound selected for this Cartridge is very, very interesting; I already know the benefits of improving an Ortofon Rubber compound in a Cartridge, I have to believe the X50 compound is a superior rubber to my own damper in use. New materials selected for the structure are also very, very interesting; a lot can be done with the Cartridge Voicing by changing the mass of the structure. It would be good to know if the X50 has been designed as a heavier or lighter design to other earlier produced models?.
My friend couldn't make it clear enough that my friend and I need to arrange to hear this Cartridge.
I could easily fall for this one, using the owned Cadenza Black as a trade-in.
The Video in the Links made me go all gooey, like a new baby was being met.
https://ortofon.com/products/mc-x50?srsltid=AfmBOoqvah0sifPVOzo36fE7y7zlrrC3PFt3UBTyGrcArDFQ6P20wcQO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwzZW95sT_o&t=18s
Interested to hear more about the X40 vs X50 comparison. I have the X40 mounted on a 1200G and think its a terrific cartridge. Great clarity, focus, soundstaging and highly engaging to listen to. I've owned a few Ortofon cartridges: 2M LVB, Jubilee, Cadenza Black and A90 - the X40 may be the best tracking of the lot and its dynamics remind me most of the A90! |
@lewm very interested on your take on the Nag MP700 after you have had time to settle in with it. Enjoy the music |
My friend referred to in the OP an I, have discussed this Cart' in depth, and it is now a strong thought that this Cart is an ideal forward move for a Quintet user wanting to experience relevant Ortofon Tech in that price range. There is a strong suggestion that when Ortofon has been remunerated to their requirement for the MCX range and the uppermost Cart' range. A Cadenza replacement will become the next family of Cart's to hit the market. High End 2027 might be the launch Platform. |
@pindac since you’ve discussed the X50 in depth with your friend, is there any reason you can’t share some of your friends thoughts on the comparison with the X40? Saying its a replacement for the Quintet user is surely damning with faint praise. Every review I’ve seen of the X40 places it in a higher echelon than the best of the Quintets. That seems to be well established. While I don’t have experience with the Quintets, my own assessment of the X40, having owned a range of Ortofons higher priced offerings (per above), is that it is actually more than competitive with the older higher price tiers. So I’m wondering how much better the X50 could be? |
