{"product_id":"ortofon-mc-x50-phono-cartridge","title":"Ortofon MC X50 Phono Cartridge","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"max-width:720px;margin:0 auto;padding:32px 24px 48px 24px;background:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:0 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eOrtofon MC X50: The Flagship of the MC X Series\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe Ortofon MC X50 is a moving coil phono cartridge. It is the top model in Ortofon's MC X Series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eIt pairs a nude Micro Ridge diamond with a boron cantilever and silver coils. Ortofon also gave it a new rubber suspension made just for this model.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eNude Micro Ridge Stylus on a Boron Cantilever\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe Micro Ridge diamond has a very narrow side radius. Ortofon says this improves high-frequency tracking, reduces inner-groove distortion and helps the stylus last longer. The boron cantilever adds fast transient response, resolution and low distortion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eSilver Coils and an Efficient Magnet System\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe coils are wound with high-purity silver wire for a clear signal. A one-piece pole cylinder sits in a rear magnet yoke, a design Ortofon built for maximum magnetic efficiency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eA Suspension Made for the X50\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eRubber dampers control how the coils move. For the X50, Ortofon developed a new rubber compound to keep tracking stable and distortion low. The body is MIM stainless steel with a honeycomb core.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eHow the MC X50 Fits Your System\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe MC X50 is a low-output moving coil cartridge, rated at 0.4 mV. It needs a phono stage with a moving coil (MC) setting, or a step-up transformer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eOrtofon recommends a tracking force of 2.0 grams. The cartridge weighs 8.6 grams.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eWhat it will not do: it will not work with a phono input that only supports moving magnet (MM) cartridges. Ask our team at 800-942-0220 to check your tonearm and phono stage before you buy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat Reviewers Are Saying\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eMichael Bruss, fairaudio (September 2026): \"This thing simply plays astonishingly cleanly.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eHolger Barske, LP International (August 2026): \"Sonically, the MC X50 is nothing short of a force to be reckoned with.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eHe concluded: \"Masterful cartridge engineering!\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWho Is This Phono Cartridge Best For?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMoving coil fans\u003c\/strong\u003e — Ortofon's best MC X model, with silver coils and a boron cantilever.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDetail seekers\u003c\/strong\u003e — the Micro Ridge stylus is built for high-frequency tracking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInner-groove listeners\u003c\/strong\u003e — Ortofon designed the stylus to reduce inner-groove distortion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOwners of an MC phono stage\u003c\/strong\u003e — ready for a low-output cartridge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot for\u003c\/strong\u003e — systems with an MM-only phono input and no step-up device.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eHow Does It Connect to Your System?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMount the cartridge on your tonearm headshell and connect the four tonearm leads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlign the cartridge and set the tracking force to 2.0 grams.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnect your turntable to a phono stage set for moving coil cartridges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlay a record and fine-tune the setup to your system.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe MC X50 comes in black.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003ePairs Well With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eBuild out your analog setup:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/phono-preamplifiers\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003ePhono preamplifiers\u003c\/a\u003e — choose one with a moving coil setting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/turntables\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eTurntables\u003c\/a\u003e — a deck worthy of a flagship cartridge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/turntable-accessories\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eTurntable accessories\u003c\/a\u003e — setup tools and upgrades.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/record-cleaning-machines\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eRecord cleaning machines\u003c\/a\u003e — keep your stylus and records clean.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eDo I need a special phono stage?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eYes. With 0.4 mV output, the MC X50 needs a phono stage with a moving coil setting or a step-up transformer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat tracking force does it use?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eOrtofon recommends 2.0 grams.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat stylus does it use?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eA nude Micro Ridge diamond with a tip radius of r\/R 2.5\/75 µm, mounted on a boron cantilever.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhere does it sit in the MC X Series?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe MC X50 is the flagship. Ortofon calls it the highest level of performance in the series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWill it fit my tonearm?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eCall us at 800-942-0220. Our team can check your tonearm and phono stage before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhy Audio Advisor?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReal Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eLearn More\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eWant to learn more about phono cartridges? Visit our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learningcenter.audioadvisor.com\/\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eLearning Center\u003c\/a\u003e for guides, tips, and expert advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Ortofon","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":67177775399085,"sku":"NEW-ORMCX50","price":1699.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/ORMCX50_2.jpg?v=1792681559","url":"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/ortofon-mc-x50-phono-cartridge","provider":"Audio Advisor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}