MC A Mono

The Ortofon MC A Mono is a true mono moving-coil cartridge for playing mono recordings. It generates a single signal, which is then directed to both channels in the audio system. This gives mono records a more forceful and stable image with a fuller sound.

A stereo cartridge cannot produce the same signal in both channels when playing a mono record. Crosstalk, noise, phase errors, tracking error, antiskating and distortion can create differences between the channels, resulting in an unstable and partially fuzzy image. A mono switch can improve this to some extent, but it cannot provide the same result as a true mono cartridge.

The MC A Mono does not respond to vertical movement. It is therefore essentially impervious to the pinching effect that occurs when the stylus is pushed vertically upwards in very narrow grooves. Response to dust, dirt and record wear is also substantially reduced because the vertical component is not heard. The result is cleaner, quieter reproduction of mono records, which cannot be achieved solely by using a mono switch.

Titanium housing and SLM manufacturing

The cartridge body is made from Titanium using Ortofon’s Selective Laser Melting manufacturing technique, or SLM. Ortofon pioneered this process for the MC A90 and SPU A90 cartridges before refining it for later Exclusive Series models.

SLM welds fine Titanium particles together layer by layer to form a single-piece body without extraneous material. It allows precise control over the density of the body material and provides extremely high internal damping, reducing vibrations within the cartridge body. Titanium also improves the internal damping capability and the overall rigidity of the structure.

Aucurum coils and boron cantilever

Ortofon’s Aucurum coils use gold-plated, 6NX oxygen-free copper. Combined with the boron cantilever, this allows the diamond’s movements to be transmitted without loss while maintaining low moving mass and an extremely high degree of rigidity.

A specially designed armature provides precise control of every coil turn across all layers. This gives the MC A Mono higher channel separation, lower distortion and improved channel balance. The armature is made from a metal alloy that is much less magnetic than normal iron, increasing the dynamic capability of the cartridge.

Protection for the coil wire is made from Ortofon’s proprietary, high-damping TPE, or Thermo-Plastic Elastomer, material. This contributes to the overall damping properties of the cartridge.

Neodymium magnet system

The generator system uses a strong, compact neodymium magnet. Its minimal dimensions make the system both compact and lighter. Inspired by the MC A95 design, the MC A Mono also uses a specially designed armature made from a metal alloy that is much less magnetic than normal iron. As the armature has almost no influence on the magnetic field during movement, it supports the cartridge’s dynamic capabilities. Together with the Aucurum coils, it reproduces the cantilever movements without compromise.

Remaining magnetic influences that could create distortion are controlled by a Field Stabilizing Element, or FSE. This small cylinder of conductive material is positioned strategically inside the magnet system to keep the force field stable regardless of armature movement. The FSE improves channel separation while minimising dynamic distortion and intermodulation.