Ortofon chooses Metal Injection Molding for latest MC X turntable cartridge range
Electronic audio equipment manufacturer Ortofon, based in Nakskov, Denmark, has released its new MC X range of phono cartridges, using Metal Injection Molding (MIM) to produce the frame structure.
A phono cartridge is the small, stylus-containing device mounted at the end of a turntable’s tonearm. Its main function is to convert the mechanical vibrations from a record’s grooves into an electrical signal that can be amplified and played through speakers.
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Traditionally, Ortofon used an extruded aluminium core followed by machining. With the MC X series, however, the company has turned to Metal Injection Moulding to improve precision and design flexibility.
The new MC X series features honeycomb-structured stainless steel fabricated via MIM. According to the company, this refined structure ensures superior mechanical stability, providing the basis for precise and accurate sound reproduction.
After the molding and sintering processes, the cartridges are surface treated by Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) to enhance appearance and extend material integrity.
“With this production method, new shapes and ways of designing the structure open up the possibilities,” Peter Wieth Hjordt, Ortofon Product Director, told What Hi-Fi?.
The cartridges also include coils wound with silver wire and a newly developed system that integrates a pole cylinder into the rear magnet yoke. These enhancements are designed to optimise the signal path and improve clarity.
The MC X range consists of four cartridges, each offering a different stylus and price point. The cartridges are designed to be compatible with a large number of tonearms and turntables.
