What you are buying
One complete Ortofon MC X20 cartridge with its fixed stylus assembly. Headshell and phono preamp are sold separately.
Ortofon MC X20 Moving Coil Cartridge
Low-output moving-coil cartridge
A nude elliptical diamond distinguishes X20 from X10 while retaining an aluminium cantilever.
- Nude Elliptical diamond
- Aluminium cantilever
- 0.4 mV output · 2.0 g tracking
- $539.99
- $539.99
- Unit price
- per
In stock — available to order
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Cutoff: 1 PM ET Monday–Friday; noon Saturday. No shipping Sundays or federal holidays. Exceptions may apply.MC phono stage required · half-inch mount · fixed stylus
Will this fit my setup?Ortofon MC X20 Moving Coil Cartridge$539.99
Check compatibility and the refund policy before opening or installing. Return restrictions
Need help checking fit? Ask Audio Exchange · Shipping details
The Ortofon MC X20 moving coil cartridge steps up from X10 with a nude elliptical diamond. It retains the aluminium cantilever and shared silver-coil platform, with higher specified channel separation and a tighter frequency-response tolerance than X10.
The nude elliptical step
Choose X20 when you want the next diamond grade without moving to the Fine Line profile of X30. Its stainless-steel honeycomb frame gives the generator a stable foundation, while the MC X magnet system and custom rubber dampers manage signal generation and mechanical movement. The distinction is in the stylus and measured performance, rather than a different output or tracking-force requirement.
Choosing an Ortofon cartridge or stylus? Our Ortofon cartridge buying guide explains fit, model differences and supported upgrade paths so you can choose the right assembly for your setup.
Compatibility & setup
Check compatibility
Half-inch mounting and 8.6 g cartridge weight. Check tonearm fit and counterweight capacity. Requires suitable low-output MC gain and loading above 50 Ω, or a correctly matched step-up transformer into an MM phono stage.
Installation
Mount and align using your turntable and Ortofon instructions, keeping the stylus protected while handling. Balance the arm and verify 2.0 g tracking force with a gauge; set anti-skate and arm height as instructed. Ask Audio Exchange if you need help with alignment or MC gain and loading.
Specifications
- Cartridge type
- Low-output moving coil
- Diamond profile
- Nude Elliptical
- Cantilever
- Aluminium
- Stylus tip radius
- r/R 8/18 µm
- Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec
- 0.4 mV
- Recommended tracking force
- 2.0 g
- Mounting
- Half-inch
- Cartridge weight
- 8.6 g
- Channel balance at 1 kHz
- 0.5 dB
- Channel separation at 1 kHz
- > 25 dB
- Frequency response, 20 Hz–20 kHz
- ±1 dB
- Dynamic lateral compliance
- 15 µm/mN
- Internal impedance / DC resistance
- 6 Ω
- Recommended load resistance
- > 50 Ω
- Coil wire material
- High-purity silver
- Body construction
- MIM stainless steel with honeycomb core
Compare your options
Ortofon MC X10 Moving Coil Cartridge
$329.99 In stock
- Elliptical diamond
- Aluminium cantilever
- 0.4 mV output · 2.0 g tracking
An accessible starting point in the MC X range with an elliptical diamond and aluminium cantilever.
Ortofon MC X20 Moving Coil Cartridge
$539.99 In stock
- Nude Elliptical diamond
- Aluminium cantilever
- 0.4 mV output · 2.0 g tracking
A nude elliptical diamond distinguishes X20 from X10 while retaining an aluminium cantilever.
Ortofon MC X30 Moving Coil Cartridge
$779.99 In stock
- Nude Fine Line diamond
- Aluminium cantilever
- 0.4 mV output · 2.0 g tracking
A nude Fine Line diamond is the step beyond the elliptical profiles of X10 and X20.
Ortofon MC X40 Moving Coil Cartridge
$1,149.00 Sold out
- Nude Shibata diamond
- Boron cantilever
- 0.4 mV output · 2.0 g tracking
A nude Shibata diamond and boron cantilever distinguish X40 from the aluminium-cantilever models.
Questions before ordering
Will this work with my phono preamp?
The MC X output is 0.4 mV. Use a phono stage with suitable low-output MC gain and loading above 50 Ω, or a correctly matched step-up transformer feeding an MM phono input. An MM-only input by itself is not the intended match. Send us your phono-stage model if you would like help checking gain and loading.
Will it fit my turntable and tonearm?
These cartridges use a standard half-inch mount and weigh 8.6 g. Check your headshell mounting, counterweight range, cartridge height and tonearm compatibility. This cartridge requires mounting and alignment; it does not plug directly into an SME/bayonet socket like a Concorde.
Can I replace or upgrade the stylus myself?
The MC X stylus assembly is not user-replaceable. Changing grades means changing the cartridge, rather than fitting a 2M or Concorde replacement stylus. Contact Audio Exchange about current Ortofon exchange options for a worn or damaged cartridge; eligibility and pricing must be confirmed.
What changes between MC X10, X20, X30 and X40?
MC X10 uses an elliptical diamond; X20 uses a nude elliptical; X30 uses a nude Fine Line; X40 uses a nude Shibata on boron. X10, X20 and X30 use aluminium cantilevers. All four have 0.4 mV output and a recommended 2.0 g tracking force. Compare the individual specifications on these product pages.
Shipping & returns
Shipping and availability
Dispatch depends on current stock of the exact item ordered. Replenishment estimates are not guaranteed shipping dates. See our shipping policy for rates, eligible destinations, and processing times.
Before opening or installing
Review the full refund policy and confirm compatibility before opening or installing a cartridge or stylus. Contact us if you need clarification about return eligibility.
Ask Audio Exchange Check compatibility / Restock update
Send a request to Audio Exchange. Our team will reply by email. A restock request does not reserve stock or place an order.
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