Introducing the New MC A MONO: The Latest Addition to the Ortofon Exclusives Series!

The MC A MONO is a true mono cartridge for playback of mono recordings.

When you play a mono record with a stereo cartridge, you will not achieve the same signal in both channels due to imperfections such as crosstalk, noise, phase errors, tracking error, antiskating, and distortion. This difference between the channels results in an unstable and partially fuzzy image. A mono switch can improve this to some extent.

Playing a mono record with a true mono cartridge eliminates the aforementioned problems, as this cartridge produces only one signal, which is then directed to both channels in the system. This results in a much more forceful and stable image with fuller sound.

Another significant advantage of using a true mono cartridge for mono records is the absence of response to vertical movement. This means that a true mono cartridge is essentially impervious to the pinching effect that occurs when the stylus is pushed vertically upward in very narrow grooves. Additionally, the response to dust, dirt, and wear is substantially reduced, as the vertical component will not be heard. The final result is a much cleaner and noiseless reproduction of the mono record. These effects simply cannot be achieved by merely using a mono switch.

The Ortofon MC A MONO Technical Data:

• Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec: 0.2 mV

• Frequency range at -3dB: 10 Hz - 50 kHz

• Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz +2 dB / -1 dB

• Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force: 90 µm

• Compliance, dynamic, lateral: 13 µm/mN

• Stylus type: Special polished Nude Ortofon Replicant 100 on Boron Cantilever

• Stylus tip radius: r/R 5/100 µm

• Tracking force range: 2.0 - 2.5 g (20 - 25 mN)

• Recommended tracking force: 2.3 g (23 mN)

• Tracking angle: 23°

• Internal impedance, DC resistance: 7 Ohm

• Recommended load impedance: > 10 Ohm

• Coil wire material: Aucurum

• Cartridge body material: SLM Titanium

• Cartridge color: Silver

• Cartridge weight: 6 grams

High-End Materials

The housing of the cartridge is made from Titanium using the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) manufacturing technique. This technique was pioneered by Ortofon for the MC A90 and SPU A90 cartridges and refined in subsequent Exclusives series models.

The SLM process welds fine particles of Titanium together, layer by layer, to construct a single-piece body devoid of extraneous material. This technique allows for precise control of the material density, resulting in extremely high internal damping. The final result provides freedom from vibrations within the cartridge body.

The use of Titanium has further improved internal damping capabilities and overall rigidity of the structure.

Extremely High-End Materials Benefit New Coil Technology

Using Ortofon’s Aucurum coils made of gold-plated, 6NX oxygen-free copper allows for zero-loss transmission of the diamond’s movements via its boron cantilever. This combination achieves low moving mass with an extremely high degree of rigidity.

A specially designed armature is employed to achieve extreme precision in each coil turn across all layers. This enables the MC A MONO to achieve a higher degree of channel separation while simultaneously offering lower distortion and better channel balance. The armature is made from a metal alloy that is much less magnetic than normal iron, which enhances the dynamic capability of the cartridge.

Coil wire protection is constructed from our special high-damping proprietary TPE (Thermo-Plastic Elastomer) material, which enhances the total damping properties of the cartridge.

The Magnet System

The magnet system is based on an extremely strong, compact neodymium magnet, which makes the generator system both compact and lighter through its minimal dimensions. Inspired by the design elements of the MC A95, the MC A MONO utilizes a specially designed armature comprised of a metal alloy that is much less magnetic than normal iron. This provides a notable benefit to the dynamic capabilities of the cartridge, as the armature has almost no influence on the magnetic field during movement. When combined with the Aucurum coils, it delivers perfect reproduction of the cantilever movements without compromise.

Any residual magnetic influences that could create distortion are eliminated by the use of a Field Stabilizing Element (FSE). Ortofon’s FSE, a small cylinder of conductive material strategically placed inside the magnet system, ensures that the force field remains stable regardless of the movement of the armature. The FSE improves channel separation while minimizing dynamic distortion and intermodulation.

Enhanced Damping Capabilities

Adding 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 with different properties. This ensures exceptional tracking performance and creates perfect damping across the entire frequency spectrum. As a result, distortion and resonance are virtually eliminated.

The WRD system, originally introduced in the MC 20 Mk II in 1979 and subsequently used in the entire Exclusives series of cartridges, is a significant reason why the MC A MONO achieves the most linear frequency response and the highest upper frequency limit ever while tracking a fantastic 90 μm at a vertical tracking force of 2.3 grams.

Ortofon Replicant 100 - The Finest Diamond in the World

One of the preconditions for linear reproduction with a wide frequency range and optimal tracking performance is a diamond whose shape closely resembles the original cutting stylus. As in the entire Exclusives series of cartridges, the MC A MONO utilizes Ortofon’s Replicant 100 diamond, known for its thin and light profile and extraordinarily large contact surface.

Since the Replicant 100 is closest to the shape of the cutting stylus, it can trace with accuracy unparalleled by any other needle in existence. Special polishing of the diamond, along with the use of a Boron cantilever, offers remarkable transparency, speed, and responsiveness beyond that of any other combination.

Stylus Protection Guard

The stylus guard provided for the MC A MONO is designed to be easily replaced and removed without risking contact with the fragile stylus assembly.

To avoid accidental damage to the stylus or cantilever, please mount the enclosed stylus guard onto the cartridge whenever it is not in use. The stylus guard should also be attached during the mounting or removal of the cartridge.

As illustrated in the drawing below, the stylus guard can be easily removed by grasping the sides with your thumb and forefinger, tilting down, and pulling straight along the orientation of the cartridge. Affixing the stylus guard is accomplished by the reverse movement: hold the stylus guard obliquely, push it into place, and tilt it up as indicated by the arrows.

Set-Up and Alignment

To attain maximum channel separation, it may be necessary to adjust the azimuth. If the cartridge is not perfectly perpendicular to the record’s surface, the tonearm or headshell may need to be tilted a few degrees. Correct azimuth is established by observing the reflected image of the two parallel cartridge front lines. The cartridge’s front lines must form a straight line with the reflected lines. A flat mirror may also be used to facilitate this process.

Four sets of screws are included for mounting the cartridge to your tonearm. It is crucial to choose the correct length of screws when mounting the cartridge. Using screws that are too long may cause them to bottom out inside the cartridge, resulting in insufficient mounting in the headshell. The choice of screw length depends on the thickness of the headshell, with a maximum of 2.5 mm of free screw length beneath the headshell. Mount the cartridge loosely to the headshell during this procedure.

Stylus Rake Angle (SRA)

With a complex stylus shape like the Replicant 100, special attention must be paid to positioning the diamond in the groove.

The Stylus Rake Angle (SRA) is critical to the performance of the Replicant 100 stylus. The long contact surface (the sharp edge) of the diamond should be almost perpendicular to the record surface when viewed from the side. The angle between the record surface and the cantilever is close to 23 degrees when the SRA is 90 degrees.

A good starting point is to set the tonearm parallel to the record surface and use the recommended tracking force. This setting will position the contact surface close to perpendicular to the record surface. The SRA can then be gradually and carefully adjusted by changing the vertical tracking force (VTF) and, if necessary, the tonearm height. The target should be an SRA around 92 degrees, determined by listening experience. In other words, the point of the stylus should point slightly toward the tonearm base.

Performance with a Range of Compatibility

With optimal weight and compliance suitable for the vast majority of modern tonearms, the MC A MONO is easily compatible with a seemingly endless array of contemporary high-end turntable equipment. Low internal impedance makes the MC A MONO less sensitive to load, ensuring compatibility with the Ortofon ST-80 SE transformer and a wide range of preamps and transformers.

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