Audio T Verdict
The Ortofon Stylus 5E might be one of the more affordable ways to refresh a turntable, but don't underestimate how important it is. The stylus is the only part of the system actually sitting in the record groove, so replacing a worn or damaged one can restore tracking, clarity and musical enjoyment without changing the complete cartridge.
It is also more versatile than simply being a spare stylus for the OM 5E. Ortofon supports it across several generations of OM cartridge bodies, while current OM 5 Series and Concorde 5 owners can use it as an interchangeable replacement or upgrade.
Its Elliptical diamond offers a useful balance between accurate groove tracing, sensible setup requirements and everyday record playback. If your compatible cartridge body is already properly fitted, swapping the stylus is straightforward and avoids removing and realigning the whole cartridge.
Ortofon Stylus 5E
The Ortofon Stylus 5E is a genuine replacement and upgrade stylus for compatible Ortofon moving magnet cartridge bodies.
It uses an Elliptical diamond with r/R 8/18µm radii and is designed to provide accurate groove tracing while maintaining straightforward setup and broad compatibility across the long-running OM cartridge family.
- Genuine Ortofon replacement stylus
- Elliptical diamond
- r/R 8/18µm stylus radii
- 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response
- 60µm tracking ability at 315Hz
- 20µm/mN dynamic lateral compliance
- 1.5 to 2.0g tracking-force range
- 1.75g recommended tracking force
- 20-degree tracking angle
- 1g stylus assembly weight
- Black stylus assembly
- Direct replacement for OM 5E family cartridges
- Compatible with current OM 5 Series cartridge bodies
- Compatible with current Concorde 5 Series cartridge bodies
- User-replaceable design
Will Ortofon Stylus 5E Fit My Cartridge?
Always identify the cartridge body before ordering. Stylus 5E fits a wide range of Ortofon cartridges, but it is not a universal replacement for every Ortofon design.
Ortofon specifically recommends Stylus 5E for:
- OM 5E
- Super OM 5
- OMP 5E
- OMB 5E
- OMT 5E
It is also officially interchangeable with the current OM 5 Series:
The current Concorde 5 Series is also compatible with Stylus 5E:
If the model fitted to your turntable isn't clear, contact Audio T before ordering. A clear photograph of the cartridge is often enough for us to help identify it.
The Natural Replacement for OM 5E
If your turntable already uses an Ortofon OM 5E cartridge, Stylus 5E is the genuine manufacturer replacement for the original stylus.
The cartridge generator remains mounted to the tonearm while only the stylus assembly is replaced.
This avoids disconnecting the cartridge wires, removing the fixing screws or repeating a complete cartridge alignment simply because the stylus has worn out.
Compatible With Super OM 5E
The current Super OM 5E uses the same interchangeable OM stylus concept.
Ortofon confirms that the OM 5 family can use Stylus 3E, 5E, 10, 20, 30, 40, 78 and D 25 M, allowing the cartridge body to remain in service while different stylus assemblies are fitted.
Stylus 5E therefore provides a straightforward Elliptical replacement for a Super OM 5E as well as the standard OM 5E.
Already Have a Super OM Body?
If your Super OM cartridge body is in good condition, replacing only the stylus is often the simplest route. You can fit Stylus 5E as an affordable replacement or consider Stylus 10, 20, 30 or 40 if you want to use the opportunity to upgrade.
Compatible With OM 5S
Stylus 5E can also be fitted to the current OM 5S cartridge body.
The OM 5S is originally supplied with a Spherical diamond, while Stylus 5E introduces an Elliptical profile.
This makes Stylus 5E a useful first upgrade for an OM 5S owner who wants improved groove tracing without replacing the complete cartridge.
Compatible With Concorde 5
Ortofon has also made its current Concorde 5 Series compatible with the OM-style upgrade path.
Both Concorde 5S and Concorde 5E can use Stylus 5S, 5E, 10, 20, 30 and 40.
This allows a Concorde 5 owner to replace or upgrade only the stylus while retaining the convenient bayonet-mount cartridge body.
Concorde 5E Owner?
Stylus 5E is a compatible replacement for the current Concorde 5E. If you want more performance rather than simply replacing like-for-like, Stylus 10, 20, 30 and 40 are also supported by the Concorde 5 platform.
Elliptical Diamond
Stylus 5E uses an Elliptical diamond with radii of r/R 8/18µm.
An Elliptical stylus has different radii across its front-to-back and side-to-side axes rather than the simple rounded profile of a Spherical stylus.
This enables it to follow smaller changes in the record groove and trace fine modulation more accurately.
Why Elliptical?
The groove modulation carrying music becomes extremely small, particularly at higher frequencies and towards the inner grooves of a record.
An Elliptical profile uses a narrower tracing radius to follow those variations more accurately than a basic Spherical diamond.
It provides a useful balance between detail retrieval, tracking and relatively uncomplicated setup, making it a very popular choice for everyday Hi-Fi playback.
Is Stylus 5E Nude?
No nude construction is claimed by Ortofon for Stylus 5E.
The current manufacturer specification describes it simply as Elliptical.
If you want to move to a Nude Elliptical design within this cartridge family, Stylus 20 is the significant step further up the range.
Elliptical vs Nude Elliptical
A Nude Elliptical stylus removes the additional mounting shank used by a conventional diamond assembly, reducing moving mass. Stylus 5E uses an Elliptical diamond, while Stylus 20 moves to Nude Elliptical construction.
60µm Tracking Ability
Ortofon specifies tracking ability at 60µm at 315Hz.
Tracking ability describes how successfully the stylus can remain in stable contact with demanding groove modulation without mistracking.
Correct tracking force, anti-skate and cartridge alignment all contribute to achieving the intended performance.
20µm/mN Dynamic Compliance
Dynamic lateral compliance is specified at 20µm/mN.
Compliance describes the flexibility of the stylus suspension as it responds to movement within the groove.
The suspension is part of the removable stylus assembly, which is why fitting a different compatible OM stylus can change the mechanical characteristics of the cartridge even though the generator body remains the same.
1.75g Recommended Tracking Force
Ortofon's dedicated Stylus 5E specification gives the following tracking-force range:
- Minimum: 1.5g / 15mN
- Recommended: 1.75g / 17.5mN
- Maximum: 2.0g / 20mN
For this replacement stylus, we recommend starting with Ortofon's stylus-specific 1.75g setting.
Why Do Some Ortofon Pages Say 1.8g?
Ortofon's current complete OM 5E and Concorde 5E cartridge specifications quote 1.8g, while the dedicated Stylus 5E specification gives 1.75g. Both sit comfortably inside the Stylus 5E's specified 1.5 to 2.0g range. This page follows the dedicated replacement stylus specification of 1.75g.
Reset Tracking Force After Fitting
Do not assume that the setting used by the previous stylus is automatically correct.
This is particularly important if Stylus 5E is being used to replace a different stylus model, such as an OM 5S or a higher-grade OM stylus.
Once the new stylus is fitted, reset tracking force according to the Stylus 5E specification.
Check Anti-Skate Too
If your tonearm has adjustable anti-skate, check that setting after changing the tracking force.
The adjustment method varies between turntable manufacturers, so follow the tonearm manufacturer's setup procedure.
20-Degree Tracking Angle
Ortofon specifies a tracking angle of 20 degrees.
If you are replacing only the stylus and the existing compatible cartridge body remains securely mounted and correctly aligned, the cartridge geometry normally remains undisturbed.
20Hz to 20kHz Frequency Response
The dedicated Stylus 5E specification gives a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz at +3 / -3dB.
This page uses the specification of the stylus assembly itself rather than copying electrical performance figures from one particular cartridge generator.
1g Stylus Assembly
Ortofon specifies the Stylus 5E assembly itself at 1g.
This is not the complete cartridge weight. The final cartridge mass depends on which compatible OM or Concorde body the stylus is fitted to.
Why Replace a Worn Stylus?
The stylus is a mechanical wear component and spends its working life tracing the record groove under constant pressure.
As it wears, playback can become less clean and tracking performance may deteriorate.
A badly worn or damaged stylus can produce increased distortion and potentially increase groove wear, so replacing it when necessary helps protect both sound quality and your record collection.
Replacement or Upgrade?
One of the strengths of Ortofon's OM system is that you don't necessarily have to replace a worn stylus like-for-like.
If your compatible cartridge body is still in good condition, stylus replacement can also become an upgrade opportunity.
The OM platform gives you several choices:
- Stylus 5E for an affordable Elliptical replacement
- Stylus 10 for a different Elliptical stylus and suspension specification
- Stylus 20 for Nude Elliptical construction
- Stylus 30 for a more advanced groove-contact profile
- Stylus 40 for the highest-performance option in the family
Replacing an OM 5E?
If the original 5E stylus has reached the end of its life, compare the cost of replacing like-for-like with the next few OM upgrade options. Keeping the existing body and putting more of the budget into the stylus can be a very effective turntable upgrade.
Stylus 5E or Stylus 10?
Both use an Elliptical 8/18µm profile, but the manufacturer gives them different tracking-force specifications.
Stylus 5E
- Elliptical diamond
- r/R 8/18µm
- 60µm tracking ability
- 20µm/mN compliance
- 1.75g recommended tracking force
- 1.5 to 2.0g force range
Stylus 10
- Elliptical diamond
- r/R 8/18µm
- 60µm tracking ability
- 20µm/mN compliance
- 1.5g recommended tracking force
- 1.25 to 1.75g force range
The two are closer on paper than their model numbers might suggest, although Stylus 10 operates at a lighter tracking force. If you're looking for a more substantial performance step, Stylus 20 is where Ortofon moves to a Nude Elliptical diamond.
Stylus 5E or Stylus 20?
Stylus 5E
- Elliptical diamond
- r/R 8/18µm
- 60µm tracking ability
- 20µm/mN compliance
- 1.75g recommended tracking force
Stylus 20
- Nude Elliptical diamond
- r/R 8/18µm
- 70µm tracking ability
- 25µm/mN compliance
- 1.5g recommended tracking force
Stylus 20 is the more significant upgrade because the diamond itself becomes Nude Elliptical, reducing unnecessary moving mass while tracking ability and compliance also increase.
How to Replace an OM Stylus
Stylus 5E is designed to be user replaceable, but the diamond and cantilever assembly remain delicate.
- Switch off the turntable and amplifier.
- Secure the tonearm so it cannot move unexpectedly.
- Hold the cartridge body securely without pulling on the cartridge wires.
- Carefully remove the existing stylus assembly.
- Fit the new Stylus 5E squarely and gently into the compatible cartridge body.
- Check that the assembly is fully seated.
- Reset tracking force to 1.75g.
- Check anti-skate where adjustable.
- Inspect the stylus position before playing a record.
If you're not comfortable handling the stylus yourself, Audio T can supply and fit it for you.
Do I Need to Realign the Cartridge?
If you are replacing only the stylus and the compatible cartridge body stays securely mounted in its original correctly aligned position, you normally don't need to remove and realign the complete cartridge.
Overhang and offset angle should therefore remain unchanged.
Tracking force and anti-skate still need to be checked because those settings relate to the stylus and suspension now fitted.
Older Ortofon Cartridge?
Stylus 5E is officially recommended for several older Ortofon cartridge variants including OMP 5E, OMB 5E and OMT 5E.
If your turntable has been in service for many years, the exact cartridge model may no longer be immediately obvious.
Check the markings carefully or ask Audio T to identify the cartridge before purchasing a replacement.
Not Every Ortofon Stylus Is Interchangeable
Don't assume compatibility simply because another Ortofon stylus looks similar. The company has produced numerous cartridge families with different fitting arrangements. Match the stylus to the cartridge body rather than choosing by appearance alone.
Compatibility at a Glance
Current Concorde 5 Series
Direct Ortofon Applications
- OM 5E
- Super OM 5
- OMP 5E
- OMB 5E
- OMT 5E
Future Upgrade Options
- Stylus 10
- Stylus 20
- Stylus 30
- Stylus 40
Key Features
- Ortofon Stylus 5E
- Genuine Ortofon replacement stylus
- Elliptical diamond
- r/R 8/18µm stylus radii
- 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response
- +3 / -3dB response tolerance
- 60µm tracking ability at 315Hz
- 20µm/mN dynamic lateral compliance
- 1.5 to 2.0g tracking-force range
- 1.75g recommended tracking force
- 20-degree tracking angle
- 1g stylus assembly
- Black stylus assembly
- User replaceable
- OM 5E direct replacement
- Super OM compatible
- OMP 5E compatible
- OMB 5E compatible
- OMT 5E compatible
- Current OM 5 Series compatible
- Current Concorde 5 Series compatible
- Simple future stylus upgrade path
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ortofon Stylus 5E still current?
Yes. Ortofon continues to maintain Stylus 5E as a current replacement stylus.
What cartridge is Stylus 5E designed for?
Ortofon specifically recommends it for OM 5E, Super OM 5, OMP 5E, OMB 5E and OMT 5E, while it is also compatible with current OM 5 Series and Concorde 5 Series cartridge bodies.
Will Stylus 5E fit an OM 5E?
Yes. Stylus 5E is the genuine Ortofon replacement stylus for OM 5E.
Will Stylus 5E fit a Super OM 5E?
Yes. Ortofon lists Stylus 5E among the interchangeable styli for the current OM 5 Series, including Super OM 5E.
Will Stylus 5E fit OM 5S?
Yes. Stylus 5E is an officially supported interchangeable option for the OM 5S cartridge body.
Is Stylus 5E an upgrade over OM 5S?
Yes. OM 5S is supplied with a Spherical stylus, while Stylus 5E uses an Elliptical diamond.
Will Stylus 5E fit Concorde 5E?
Yes. Ortofon confirms that the current Concorde 5 Series is fully compatible with Stylus 5E.
Will Stylus 5E fit Concorde 5S?
Yes. The current Concorde 5 platform accepts Stylus 5S, 5E, 10, 20, 30 and 40.
Will Stylus 5E fit OMP 5E?
Yes. OMP 5E is specifically included in Ortofon's recommended cartridge list.
Will Stylus 5E fit OMB 5E?
Yes. Ortofon specifically recommends Stylus 5E for OMB 5E.
Will Stylus 5E fit OMT 5E?
Yes. OMT 5E is included in Ortofon's current recommended application list.
Does Stylus 5E fit every Ortofon cartridge?
No. Always check the exact cartridge family before purchasing.
What stylus profile does it use?
An Elliptical diamond with r/R 8/18µm radii.
Is Stylus 5E a Nude Elliptical stylus?
No. Ortofon describes it simply as Elliptical. Stylus 20 is the Nude Elliptical option further up the compatible OM range.
What tracking force should I use?
The dedicated Ortofon Stylus 5E specification recommends 1.75g.
Why do some Ortofon cartridge pages say 1.8g?
The current OM 5E and Concorde 5E complete-cartridge pages quote 1.8g, while the dedicated Stylus 5E page specifies 1.75g. Both are within the official 1.5 to 2.0g stylus range. This page follows the dedicated Stylus 5E specification.
What is the tracking-force range?
1.5 to 2.0g, or 15 to 20mN.
What is the tracking ability?
60µm at 315Hz.
What is the dynamic compliance?
20µm/mN.
What is the tracking angle?
20 degrees.
What is the frequency response?
20Hz to 20kHz at +3 / -3dB.
How much does Stylus 5E weigh?
Ortofon specifies the stylus assembly itself at 1g.
What colour is Stylus 5E?
Black.
Can I replace Stylus 5E myself?
Yes. It is designed as a user-removable moving magnet stylus. Handle the diamond and cantilever carefully, or ask Audio T to fit it for you.
Do I need to realign my cartridge afterwards?
If the existing compatible cartridge body remains securely mounted and correctly aligned, replacing only the stylus does not normally require complete cartridge realignment. Tracking force and anti-skate should still be checked.
Can I upgrade beyond Stylus 5E?
Yes. Compatible OM and Concorde 5 cartridge bodies provide upgrade options including Stylus 10, Stylus 20, Stylus 30 and Stylus 40.
Related Ortofon Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy an Ortofon Replacement Stylus From Audio T?
Finding the correct stylus can be more complicated than it first appears. Ortofon has produced many cartridge families over the years, and several older designs remain compatible with current replacement styli.
Audio T can help identify the cartridge fitted to your turntable, confirm whether Stylus 5E is the correct replacement and advise whether it makes more sense to replace like-for-like or move further up the compatible stylus range.
- Cartridge identification
- Stylus compatibility checking
- OM and Super OM upgrade advice
- Concorde 5 stylus compatibility advice
- Older Ortofon cartridge identification
- Replacement stylus fitting
- Tracking-force setup
- Anti-skate checking
- Cartridge alignment checks
- Stylus 5E, 10, 20, 30 and 40 comparison
- Turntable and tonearm advice
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you're unsure whether Ortofon Stylus 5E is the correct replacement or upgrade for your cartridge.