The Ortofon MC Vertex is a reference-class moving coil phono cartridge conceived as a unified system — every element engineered in direct relation to the others. From the newly developed Vertex diamond to the SLM titanium body, each component is optimized for precision, consistency, and musical truth.
The Vertex Diamond Stylus
At the heart of the MC Vertex is a proprietary diamond developed exclusively by Ortofon, featuring an advanced line contact geometry with a scanning radius of 4 μm and an exceptionally large contact radius of 110 μm. This combination traces fine groove structures with high precision while distributing contact forces more effectively across the groove surface — reducing distortion and preserving fine detail.
Solid Diamond Cantilever
The Vertex diamond is mounted in a laser-polished solid diamond cantilever — an extremely rigid, lightweight structure that maximizes energy transfer from stylus to generator. The diamond-to-cantilever interface is formed via laser-cut micro-bore with extremely tight tolerances, ensuring accurate alignment, repeatability, and a mechanically stable connection.
SLM Titanium Body with DLC Coating
The cartridge housing is produced using Ortofon's Selective Laser Melting (SLM) titanium technology, enabling complex internal architectures — including a purpose-built damping cavity — that are impossible with conventional manufacturing. The body is finished with a Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) surface treatment for durability, with logos laser-engraved directly into the titanium. The result is a mechanically inert structure that suppresses unwanted resonances and lets the musical signal emerge with clarity and purity.
Wide Range Damping System
Ortofon's patented Wide Range Damping technology uses a platinum disc positioned between two rubber compounds with distinctly different mechanical properties. This dual-behavior structure provides precise resonance control across the full audible frequency range while maintaining dynamic responsiveness. Rubber compounds are developed and produced in-house by Ortofon for consistent quality and fine-tuned damping performance.
Generator System
The MC Vertex features a refined MC generator built around a non-magnetic armature, precision-wound high-purity silver coils, and a highly optimized magnet configuration. The non-magnetic armature eliminates unwanted magnetic interaction within the moving system, contributing to stable signal generation, strong channel separation, and a natural, coherent musical presentation.
Key Specifications
- Stylus type: Vertex Diamond (line contact, r/R 4/110 μm)
- Cantilever: Laser-polished solid diamond
- Coil system: High-purity silver
- Output voltage (1 kHz, 5 cm/sec): 0.3 mV
- Frequency response (20 Hz–20 kHz): ±1 dB
- Channel separation at 1 kHz: 30 dB
- Channel balance at 1 kHz: 0.1 dB
- Compliance, dynamic lateral: 9 μm/mN
- Tracking force (recommended): 2.5 g
- Tracking angle: 23°
- Internal impedance (DC resistance): 19 Ω
- Recommended load impedance: >100 Ω
- Cartridge body: SLM Titanium with DLC coating