Ortofon Xpression
The Xpression cartridge bridges the gap between SPU-type cartridges and High-End cartridges like the MC A90 and the MC Windfeld, which are designed for headshell mounting. The result is a high-performance moving coil cartridge with the convenience of a standard headshell connector. This method of connection provides a simple and elegant method of directly connecting the generator and tonearm via the Xpression’s one-piece body.
Superb sonic balance, powerful dynamics and fluid body
Cartridge length and height identical to SPU
SME mount type
Internal coils from the famous Ortofon Aucurum wire, which is a gold plated 6NX copper wire
SLM Stainless Steel and Special Proprietary TPE Compound body
Nude Ortofon Replicant 100 (Special Polished Version) stylus profile with Boron cantilever
DESCRIPTION
NEODYMIUM MAGNET
The magnet system is based on the designs used in such acclaimed cartridges as the MC Windfeld and the MC A90. It is based on an extremely strong, compact neodymium magnet, which makes the generator system both compact and lighter through its minimal dimensions.
Ortofon’s Field Stabilizing Element (FSE), a small cylinder of conductive material strategically placed inside the magnet system, guarantees that the force field remains stable regardless of the movement of the armature. FSE improves the channel separation, while at the same time minimizing dynamic distortion and intermodulation. The result is seen in the Xpression's fantastic dynamics and even more elbow room between the musicians.
DAMPING
Adding to the list of important components is Ortofon’s patented Wide Range Damping (WRD) system. In this system, a small, heavy platinum disc is sandwiched between two rubber absorbers, both with different properties.
This ensures not only an exceptional tracking performance, but also creates a perfect damping through the entire frequency spectrum. Because of this, distortion and resonance are virtually eliminated entirely.
The WRD system, which was originally introduced in the MC 20 Mk II in 1979 and was also used in the MC A90, the MC Windfeld and many of Ortofon’s other top tier cartridges, is one significant reason why the Xpression, while achieving the most linear frequency response and a high upper frequency limit, at the same time tracks a fantastic 90 μm at a vertical tracking force of 2.6 grams.
THE FINEST DIAMOND IN THE WORLD
Another precondition for linear reproduction with a wide frequency range and optimal tracking performance is a diamond - the shape of which is as close as possible to the original cutting needle. To achieve this, the Ortofon Xpression uses an ultra-fine and extra polished version of the unique Ortofon Replicant Stylus 100.
This diamond, which is already known from products such as the famous MC Windfeld and the MC A90 cartridges, is incredibly small and light, but has an extraordinarily large vertical contact surface despite its minimal radius of rounding. Correctly fitted at a vertical angle of 23 degrees, an Ortofon Replicant Stylus 100 will read the musical information in the grooves of a record with a greater degree of accuracy than any other kind of needle.
EXREMLEY HIGH END MATERIALS BENEFIT NEW COIL TECHNOLOGY
Using expensive Aucurum coils of gold-plated, 6NX oxygen free copper allows for zero-loss transmission of the diamonds movements via its boron cantilever. This combination, which has also been employed for use in the MC A90 and the legendary MC Windfeld, combines low moving mass with an extremely high degree of rigidity.
The specially designed armature, created for the MC Windfeld and the MC A90, achieves an extreme precision in each coil turn in all layers. This enables the Xpression to obtain a higher degree of channel separation, while simultaneously offering lower distortion and better channel balance.
A low output impedance of 4Ω and a medium output voltage of 0.3mV make the Ortofon Xpression a perfect partner for most step-up transformers as well as active MC pre-amps.
DIAMOND AND COIL TECHNOLOGY
The Xpression features a Boron Cantilever and Ortofon's Replicant 100 diamond, found also in the MC A90 and the MC Windfeld cartridges, providing more responsive and transparent sound reproduction.
STYLUS GUARD
The Xpression ships with a newly engineered stylus guard which is designed to be easily replaced and removed without risking contact to the fragile stylus assembly.
The new stylus guard design offers a safe and effective functionality. To avoid accidental damage to the stylus or cantilever please mount the enclosed stylus guard onto the cartridge whenever the cartridge is not in use.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
OUTPUT VOLTAGE (AT 1KHZ, 5CM/SEC)
0.3mV
CHANNEL BALANCE AT 1KHZ
< 0.2dB
CHANNEL SEPARATION AT 1KHZ
> 28dB
CHANNEL SEPARATION AT 15KHZ
> 22dB
FREQUENCY RANGE (AT -3DB)
10Hz - 60kHz
20HZ - 20KHZ FIM DISTORTION
+0.5 / -1.5dB
TRACKING ABILITY AT 315HZ
Typically 90μm
COMPLIANCE, DYNAMIC, LATERAL
11μm / mN
STYLUS TYPE
Nude Ortofon Replicant 100
Special Polished Version
CANTILEVER
Boron
STYLUS TIP RADIUS R / R
5 / 100μm
TRACKING FORCE RANGE
2.3 - 2.8g (23 - 28mN)
RECOMMENDED TRACKING FORCE
2.6g (26mN)
TRACKING ANGLE
23º
INTERNAL IMPEDANCE / DC RESISTANCE
4Ω
RECOMMENDED LOAD IMPEDANCE
> 10Ω
CARTRIDGE BODY MATERIAL
SLM Stainless Steel And Special Proprietary TPE Compound
CARTRIDGE COLOUR
Black / Black
CARTRIDGE WEIGHT
13.0g