Ortofon MC Diamond Cartridge

Description

The Ortofon’s greatest phono cartridge ever, the MC Diamond delivers recorded music like youve never heard it before.

Ortofon aspires to provide the ultimate musical experience through a mixture of innovation, technical expertise and inspiration.

This new state of the art phono cartridge, representative of numerous Ortofon design elements and ideals, is truly exemplary of the highest degree of performance possible in contemporary analogue playback technology. 

Featuring a titanium body, optimized magnet system, diamond cantilever and a new rubber suspension, the MC Diamond provides an entirely new level of experience for audiophiles. 

This is recorded music like youve never heard it beforethe most authentic vinyl experience in the world,  – said by Leif Johannsen, Ortofons Chief Officer of Acoustics and Research. 

Review quotes and awards 

Hi-Fi news 
January 2023

By Adam Smith

“…I don’t think I’ve heard another pick-up so effortlessly gifted across the board.

…if you really want to hear what’s in your precious vinyl grooves, you should make sure you audition the MC Diamond.”

…the MC Diamond has the gift of generating a wide but incredibly focused soundstage that sets up a huge 3D sonic picture. To call this performance ‘immersive’ would be something of an understatement.

…And the bass? Oh my goodness, the bass. The sheer power and weight that this pick-up offers up had me grinning from ear to ear. 

…the MC Diamond lays just about the best sonic foundation I have encountered.

…With the MC Diamond, Ortofon has advanced the cartridge game once more.

…this Diamond is definitely my new best friend.”

Winner of the Stereo Sound Grand Prix 2023
Stereo Sound Winter 2023 No, 225
December 2022

Ortofon’s quest for Accuracy in sound and Authenticity of experience

For more than a century, Ortofon has been on a quest for accuracy in sound and authenticity of experience.

Driven by our core passions for engineering, innovation and craftsmanship, everything we do is rooted in a desire to create the worlds best phonograph cartridges, so that you can do more than just listen to the music, you love.

At Ortofon, we want you to feel the music: 
every instrument
every voice
every note

Newly enhanced rubber suspension
For the new MC Diamond cartridge, the Ortofon Wide Range Damping System (WRD) has been re-engineered to include an enhanced rubber suspension, specially developed in-house. 

The WRD system was originally introduced in the MC 20 Mk II in 1979 and was also subsequently  used in the MC A90, MC Windfeld, Xpression, MC Anna, MC Anna Diamond and MC Century phono cartridges.

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 new rubber compound formula is based on the Multi Wall Carbon Nano Tube (MWCNT) highly efficient nano filler. The new MWCNT-based compound offers desirable mechanical properties, which allow for optimal interaction between compliance and damping, that improves stability and playback and ensures unparalleled sound quality.

Cartridge Body
The cartridge body of the MC Diamond is made of titanium using our custom Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technique.

This technique allows for precise control of the density of the body, which provides extremely high internal damping, and results in a significant reduction in vibrations and enhanced sound quality.

Magnet System
The MC Diamonds magnet system combines choice materials, optimized geometry, and unrivaled consistency that deliver unmatched performance.

Together with the non-magnetic armature, the result is vivid, highly-accurate audio reproductions defined by nearly boundless dimensionality.

Replicant 100 Diamond
The MC Diamond makes use of Ortofon Replicant 100 diamond.

This Line Contact type stylus distinguishes itself by having a narrow and long contact surface, which is as close as possible to the original cutting stylus. This ensures the most accurate reproduction, lowest distortion and extended frequency range.

NB: The stylus guard provided for the MC Diamond is designed to be easily replaced and removed without risking contact to the fragile stylus assembly.

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. The stylus guard should also be attached during mounting or removal of the cartridge.

Diamond cantilever
The MC Diamond uses a solid Diamond Cantilever that, in combination with Ortofon Replicant 100 diamond, offers extreme transparency, speed, and responsiveness beyond any other combination.

A solid Diamond cantilever provides the best possible interface between the stylus and armature, owing to its hardness and crystal structure.

The improvements found in the use of a Diamond cantilever have redefined the boundaries of analogue reproduction, presenting greater inner detail, subtlety, and depth like never before.

MC Diamond Technical data

• Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5cm/sec. – 0.2 mV
• Channel balance at 1 kHz – 0.5 dB
• Channel separation at 1 kHz – 25 dB
• Channel separation at 15 kHz – 20 dB
• Frequency response – 20 Hz-20 kHz +/- 2 dB
• Tracking ability at 315 Hz at recommended tracking force – 80 µm
• Compliance, dynamic, lateral – 11 µm/mN
• Stylus type – Special polished Nude Ortofon Replicant 100 on Diamond Cantilever
• Stylus tip radius – r/R 5/100 µm
• Tracking force range – 2.5-2.8 g (25-28 mN)
• Tracking force, recommended – 2.6 g (26 mN)
• Tracking angle – 23°
• Internal impedance, DC resistance – 6 Ohm
• Recommended load impedance – > 10 Ohm
• Coil wire material – Ultra pure oxygen free copper
• Cartridge body material – SLM Titanium
• Cartridge colour – Silver/Black
• Cartridge weight – 17.5 g