Ortofon
World leader in the cartridge industry

Ortofon has always been a leading company in the field of sound reproduction.
Founded in Copenhagen in 1918, Ortofon started by creating technology which
served as the basis for adding a soundtrack to the silent movies of the early 1920s.
In 1948, the company developed the first moving coil cartridge, and since thenOrtofon has developed and manufactured more than 300 different cartridges.
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Xpression
Today Ortofon is the world leader in cartridges. This is the result of combining
design with technology and the highest level of engineering in the audio industry.
Acoustics, materials technology and micro mechanics are key competences inOrtofon´s technological prowess. Ortofon has its research and manufacturing
facilities in Denmark; the production of cartridges and components is carried out atthe company's factory in Nakskov, Denmark.
Production is based on experienced workers with a high level of craftsmanship.
This assures the high uniform quality of Ortofon products. The cartridges are soldworldwide through a network of more than 60 importers and sales subsidiaries in
the USA and Japan. Ortofon is today recognized among consumers and industry
professionals as a quality brand.

4The Ortofon Xpression is a modern high-end cartridge with a standard headshellconnector. This state of the art product combines Ortofon’s cutting edge SLM
materials technology, pioneered by the MC A90 and SPU 90th Anniversary
products, along with applied research from the generator system introduced withthe MC A90 and the MC Windfeld. Finally, the Xpression preserves Ortofon’s
signature design tradition.
The Xpression cartridge bridges the gap between SPU-type cartridges andHigh-End cartridges like the MC A90 and the MC Windfeld designed forheadshell mounting. The result is a high-performance moving coil cartridge withthe 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.

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MagnetNeodymium magnet with FSE
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.

Since the cartridge length is identical to that of an SPU, the Xpression can easily
be fitted onto these arms without additional concern for proper alignment. The
cartridge height is also identical, making further VTA adjustments unnecessary.
Additionally, the mass and compliance properties of the Xpression ensure that aproper match will be achieved with any SPU-compatible arm. Finally, the Xpression
features a Boron Cantilever and Replicant 100 diamond, found also in the MC A90
and the MC Windfeld cartridges, providing more responsive and transparent soundreproduction.

6Ortofon’s Field Stabilizing Element, a small cylinder of conductive material
strategically placed inside the magnet system, guarantees that the force fieldremains stable regardless of the movement of the armature. FSE improves thechannel separation, while at the same time minimizing dynamic distortion andintermodulation. The result is the fantastic dynamics and even more
elbow room between the musicians.
You simply experience more
drama and greater breadth,height and depth in thesound scenario!

7Damping

SLM manufacturing

WRD system

An engineering feature adding to the damping capability of the Xpression cartridgeis the recently developed Selective Laser Melting process in which fine particles ofAdding to the list of important components is Ortofon’s 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 theentire frequency spectrum. Because of this, distortion and resonance are virtuallyeliminated entirely.
The WRD system, which was originally introduced in the MC 20 Mk II in 1979 andwas 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, whileachieving the most linear frequency response anda high upper frequency limit, at thesame time tracks a fantastic
90 μm at a vertical tracking
force of 2.6 grams.

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stainless steel are welded together, layer-by-layer, to construct a single piece body
devoid of unnecessary material. Using this technique the density of the body canbe precisely controlled, allowing for extremely high internal damping.
The final result provides absolute freedom from resonances existing in the cartridge
body material and allows for the Xpression to be perfectly matched with anextremely wide array of different tonearms. Because of the nature of SLM-based
construction, each cartridge body is cosmetically unique and will show small
dimples or lines under close examination.

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DiamondMaterial
The finest diamond in the world

Extremely high end materials benefit new coil technology

Another precondition for linear reproduction withUsing expensive Aucurum coils of gold-plated, 6NX oxygen free copper allows

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 anultra-fine and extra polished version of the uniqueOrtofon Replicant Stylus 100.

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 thelegendary MC Windfeld, combines low moving mass with an extremely high degreeof rigidity.

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 anextraordinarily 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 ofaccuracy than any other kind of needle.

10The 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 theXpression to obtain a higher degree of channel separation,
while simultaneously offering lower distortion and betterchannel balance. A low output impedance of4 ohm and a medium output voltageof 0.3 mV make the Ortofon
Xpression a perfect partner for
most step-up transformers aswell as active MC pre-amps.

11DesignThe presentation of the Ortofon Xpression
is a continuation of the new paradigm inFinally, the bottom cover has been constructed from a special proprietary TPE(Thermo-Plastic Elastomer) material, which provides extremely high damping. Also

engineering and manufacturing introducedby the MC A90. Because total freedom fromresonance in the audible frequency range is aprecondition for optimal sound quality, the designof the Xpression has been dictated by the complete
elimination of unwanted resonance. Arguably the most
exciting development in the Xpression is the introduction ofour custom SLM manufacturing process.

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

By combining the utilization of this SLM process and our WRD
system, we are confident that the perfect mechanical integration of thiscartridge 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. The Xpression, althoughderived from the materials and techniques employed with the A90 cartridge, finds
a superb sonic balance between the literal precision of the A90 and the powerful
dynamics and fluid body of its SPU predecessors.

12When combined with Ortofon’s world-class knowledge in analogue soundreproduction, the Xpression will undoubtedly provide sound which is literallyunsurpassed and simply has to be experienced. Of course, aesthetically, theXpression has a distinctive, elegant design which makes no compromises.

SetupAntiskating
For the Xpression stylus type, just set normal antiskating, according torecommended tracking force.

Warning
This phono cartridge is only for mounting on tonearms and must not be used forother purposes.
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Protection
Stylus Guard
The Xpression ships with a newly engineered stylus guard which is designed to beThis also includes whenever the cartridge is being mounted or removed from theeasily 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.

headshell. As illustrated by the drawing, the stylus guard is simple removed bytaking hold of the sides using the thumb and forefinger, and pulling straight along
the orientation of the cartridge. Affixing the stylus guard is of course accomplishedby the reverse movement, but still using a straight movement as indicated by theguidelines.
A new stylus protection guard can bepurchased on the Ortofon webshop
www.ortofon-shop.com.

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MaintenanceStylus care

Cartridge break-in

Ortofon does not recommend the use of solvents of any kind for cleaning ofAlthough the Xpression will provide top reproduction right out of the box, theeither record surface or stylus. If necessary, records may be washed in lukewarm
demineralized water with a dash of sulphonic soap. Remove dust carefully fromrecord surfaces by using a fine antistatic brush or cloth before every use. The useof solvents on the stylus and cantilever may damage stylus cement; interior parts ofthe cartridge can be affected seriously by the intrusion of solvents.

cartridge may slightly change character during the first tens of hours of use. This iscompletely normal and you may, in fact, find that this adds further refinement to yourlistening experience.

The Ortofon warranty will not be valid in cases where such treatment has causedmalfunction. For cleaning the stylus, use the enclosed fiber brush a few times along
the cantilever in the direction of the stylus, whenever you play a new record orchange sides. This will take all normal dust and most of the slick release agent fromnew records.

Owing to the design of the Ortofon moving coil cartridge, the stylus is not partof a replaceable assembly and therefore Ortofon offers, through its dealers, anExchange service, please contact your dealer if you need this service.

Ortofon exchange service

Ortofon also offers Special Repair service for the Xpression cartridge, pleasecontact your local Ortofon Authorised dealer if you need this service.
Special Repair service is also available on the Ortofon webshop:
www.ortofon-shop.com.

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Xpression Technical Data

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Technical Data

Xpression

Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5 cm/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 range at - 3 dB

10 – 60 kHz

Frequency response

20 Hz - 20 kHz + 0.5 – 1.5 dB

Tracking ability at 315 Hz
at recommended tracking force

90 µm

Compliance, dynamic, lateral

11 μm/mN

Stylus typeSpecial polished Nude Ortofon Replicant 100
on Boron Cantilever

Stylus tip radiusr/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

Cartridge weight28 g

Date:

Approved by:Ortofon A/S | Stavangervej 9 | DK-4900 Nakskov | Denmark | www.ortofon.com

20-07/2014-5-800138-12

Get more information about
the Xpression cartridge.