The Ortofon MC A90 made history

Ortofon MC A90 - a world class moving coil cartridge carries with it the culmination of decades of research in the field of analog sound reproduction along with the world's best engineering, materials and manufacturing techniques. Using expensive Aucurum coils of gold-plated 6NX oxygen-free copper allows for zero-loss transmission of the diamonds movements via its boron cantilever. This combination, which has also been used in the by now legendary MC Windfeld, combines a low moving mass with an extremely high degree of rigidity.

Of course, an especially designed armature had to be created to achieve extreme precision in each coil turn in many layers. This enables the A90 to achieve a higher degree of channel separation while simultaneously offering a lower distortion and a better channel balance. With optimal weight and compliance to suit the vast majority of modern medium-mass tonearms, the A90 is easily compatible with a seemingly endless array of modern contemporary high-end turntable equipment.

Raising the standard

The MC A90 not only celebrated the 90th anniversary of Ortofon, but first and foremost it also made history by significantly raising the standard by which sound reproduction is measured.

Those who choose to adopt the A90 will experience the lifelike, open sound, with exceedingly clear midrange for a presentation that is unparalleled. The MC A90 remains extremely musical while paying close attention to micro dynamic detail, with its delicate but also analytical nature. Music lovers will take note of a truly organic and encapsulating experience that transcends the limits of recording and undeniably blurs the distinction between what is live and what is recorded.

The Fields Stabilising Element

The magnet configuration that graces the A90 takes its inspiration from the acclaimed MC Windfeld, known throughout the world for its remarkably neutral and honest character. This superb generator system is not only lighter and more compact, but throughthe Field Stabilising Element (FSE) it can ensure that the force field remains stable regardless of movements of the armature.

The FSE consists of a small cylinder of silver-plated copper placed inside of the magnetic system. Sonically, the FSE has substantial benefits in particular by reducing the dynamic distortion and the intermodulation to an absolute minimum. The FSE plays a tremendous part in the remarkable dynamics of the A90 by ensuring that every detail will be delivered with striking accuracy and plenty of space between each instrument in the recording.This simply results in more drama and a greater breadth, height, and depth of the sound and stereo image.

Wide Range Damping system

Adding to the list of important components is Ortofon’s Wide Range Damping system (WRD). In this system, a small, heavy platinum disc is sandwiched between two rubber absorbers, both with different properties. This not only ensures that an exceptional tracking performance is maintained but also ensures perfect damping through the entire frequency spectrum. Because of this, the distortion and resonance are virtually eliminated entirely.

The WRD system, which was originally introduced in the MC 30 in 1979 and was also used in the MC Windfeld and many of Ortofon’s other top-tier cartridges, is one significant reason why the MC A90 tracks a fantastic 100 µm at a vertical tracking force of 2.3 grams while simultaneously achieving the most linear frequency response and the highest upper frequency limit ever.

MC A90 Technical data

Output voltage at 1 kHz, 5cm/sec.  -  0,27 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 - 3dB   - 10 Hz - 80 kHz
Frequency response  -  20 Hz - 20 kHz + / - 1 dB
Tracking ability at 315 Hz at recommended tracking force  -  100 µm
Compliance, dynamic, lateral  -  16 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)
Tracking force, recommended  -  2,3 g (23 mN)
Tracking angle   - 23°
Internal impedance, DC resistance  -  4 Ohm
Recommended load impedance  -  > 10 Ohm
Cartridge body material  -  SLM Stainless Steel
Cartridge colour  -  Black
Cartridge weight   -    8 g