Turntables, Arms & Cartridges

The MC 90X’s forerunners include the Anna [HFN Oct ’12], the Windfeld Ti [HFN Jan ’18] and Anna Diamond [HFN Oct ’19], although the MC 90X’s design story starts with the MC A90 [HFN Sep ’09] and includes a little of the DNA introduced with the Windfeld Ti and newer MC Verismo [HFN Mar ’22]. Comparisons with the MC A90 are instructive – the latter afforded a 310μV/100ohm output (re. 1kHz/5cm/sec) with a channel balance error of 0.3dB. The MC 90X’s output is only fractionally lower at 290μV and while its stereo response [dashed trace, Graph 1], including the characteristic ±0.5dB ‘wiggle’ at HF, is almost identical, its stereo separation is improved to 35dB through the midrange [see boxout].

The MC 90X’s in-phase response remains slightly ‘brighter’, benefitting performers that sit centre stage, while its superb rail-like tracking brings further confidence to the sound. Holding on to the top 80μm test track at the recommended 2.3g, it realises a low 0.4% distortion at +15dB (315Hz lateral cut, re. 11.2μm) and just 1% on the final +18dB groove modulation (2% from the MC A90 at this point). This is a rare performance from a low-ish compliance MC destined for medium/higher mass arms – incidentally, the MC 90X matches the MC Verismo’s 9.5g bodyweight, both 1.5g up on the original MC A90. New dampers also ensure the MC 90X’s 11/13cu vertical/horizontal compliance is now more symmetrical and the VTA better aligned at 23o VTA (12/16cu and 28o, respectively, in the MC A90). A final word on the distortion vs. frequency trend [see Graph 2] which follows the same ‘shape’ seen with the MC A90 but is now a little lower here at <1% up to 3kHz (re. –8dB re. 5cm/sec). PM