The Ortofon Xpression High-End cartridge

The state of the art product, the Ortofon Xpression represents a combination of three elements very characteristic for Ortofon:

The cutting edge SLM materials technology pioneered by the MC A90 and SPU 90th Anniversary
Modification of the generator system introduced with the MC A90 and the MC Windfeld
Ortofon design tradition

Utilising these three elements we created a new product in order to support our customers of the SPU cartridges and Ortofon tonearms.

The Xpression cartridge bridges the gap between the SPU-type cartridges and High-End cartridges like the MC A90 and the MC Windfeld designed for headshell mounting. The result is a high-performance moving coil cartridge with the convenience of a standard headshell connector, which provides a simple and elegant method of directly connecting the generator and tonearm via the Xpression’s one-piece body.


Since the cartridge length is identical to that of an SPU, the Xpression can easily be fitted onto tonearms without additional concern for proper alignment.

The cartridge height is likewise identical to the SPU height, which makes further VTA adjustments unnecessary.
The length of the cartridge ensures proper match with the SME-mount type tonearms, e.g. SME, Grace, Fidelity Research, SAEC and Micro Seiki brands. Additionally, the mass and compliance properties of the Xpression ensure that a proper match will be achieved with any SPU-compatible arm.
The Xpression can ideally be combined with the TA-110 and TA-210 tonearms. The combination of Xpression, TA-110/TA-210 and ST-80 SE MC transformer gives a supreme experience!


Special features

By combining the utilization of this SLM process and our WRD system, we are confident that the perfect mechanical integration of this cartridge with your tonearm will result in a significant and breathtaking increase in dynamics, staging, resolution and richness.

Also helping to achieve the Xpression’s accuracy and sonic purity the ultrahigh purity silver is used for the internal wiring between generator and standard headshell connector.

Finally, the bottom cover has been constructed from a special proprietary TPE (Thermo-Plastic Elastomer) material, which provides extremely high damping.

Also included is an easy-to-grab finger lift as well as a simple to use stylus guard.


The Ortofon Xpression Technical data

Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. - 0.3 mV
Channel balance at 1 kHz - < 0.2 dB
Channel separation at 1 kHz - > 28 dB
Channel separation at 15 kHz - > 22 dB
Frequency response - 20 Hz-20 kHz +0.5 /- 1.5 dB
Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force - 90 µm
Compliance, dynamic, lateral - 11 µm/mN
Stylus type - Special polished Nude Ortofon Replicant 100 on Boron Cantilever
Stylus tip radius - r/R 5/100 µm

Tracking force range - 2.3 -2.8 g (23-28 mN)
Tracking force, recommended - 2.6 g (26 mN)
Tracking angle - 23°
Internal impedance, DC resistance - 4 Ohm
Recommended load impedance - > 10 Ohm
Cartridge body material - SLM Stainless Steel and Special proprietary TPE-compound
Cartridge colour - Black