Audio T Verdict
The Ortofon Stylus 10 is far more useful than the words 'replacement stylus' might suggest. Yes, it is the natural replacement for an OM 10, but it can also breathe new life into a surprisingly wide range of Ortofon cartridge bodies and provides a straightforward upgrade for current OM 5 Series owners.
Its Elliptical diamond is a sensible step for anyone wanting better groove tracing than a basic Spherical stylus without moving immediately into the more expensive Nude Elliptical and line-contact profiles further up Ortofon's range.
Best of all, if your compatible cartridge body is already fitted and correctly aligned, changing the stylus lets you improve or restore performance without removing the complete cartridge from the tonearm. Just remember to reset the tracking force to the Stylus 10's recommended 1.5g after fitting it.
Ortofon Stylus 10
The Ortofon Stylus 10 is a genuine replacement and upgrade stylus for a wide selection of Ortofon OM, Super OM, OMP and related cartridge bodies.
It uses an Elliptical diamond profile with r/R 8/18µm radii and is designed to provide accurate groove tracing, balanced playback and a simple route to restoring or improving a compatible Ortofon moving magnet cartridge.
- Genuine Ortofon replacement stylus
- Elliptical diamond profile
- r/R 8/18µm stylus radii
- 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response
- 60µm tracking ability at 315Hz
- 20µm/mN dynamic lateral compliance
- 1.25 to 1.75g tracking-force range
- 1.5g recommended tracking force
- 20-degree tracking angle
- Black stylus assembly
- Direct replacement for OM 10 family cartridges
- Compatible upgrade for current OM 5 Series cartridge bodies
- Simple user-replaceable design
Will the Ortofon Stylus 10 Fit My Cartridge?
Compatibility is the first thing to check before ordering a replacement stylus. The Stylus 10 is not a universal replacement for every Ortofon cartridge.
Ortofon officially recommends the Stylus 10 for the following cartridge models:
- Super OM 10
- OM 10
- OMP 10 / OMP P-Mount 10
- OMB 10 / OMB Bulk 10
- OMT 10
- LM 10
- Concorde 10
- Concorde EC 10
- Concorde STD
- TM 10H
- LMB 12
- SMB 12
- LMA 12
Ortofon also confirms Stylus 10 as an interchangeable option for its current OM 5 Series cartridge bodies, including OM 5S, OM 5E and Super OM 5E.
If the model number on your existing cartridge is unclear, contact Audio T before ordering and we can help identify it.
A Replacement for OM 10
If you already own an Ortofon OM 10 cartridge, Stylus 10 is the obvious replacement when the existing diamond has become worn or damaged.
Because the cartridge body remains mounted to the tonearm, replacing only the stylus avoids disturbing the cartridge's existing position and alignment.
This makes routine stylus replacement considerably easier than removing and reinstalling an entire cartridge.
An Upgrade for OM 5 Series Cartridges
Stylus 10 isn't restricted to cartridges originally sold as OM 10.
Ortofon deliberately designed the OM family so owners could change performance level simply by changing the stylus assembly.
The manufacturer currently lists Stylus 10 among the interchangeable options for:
That makes Stylus 10 a useful upgrade route if your turntable currently has one of these cartridge bodies fitted.
Already Have an OM 5E?
You don't necessarily need to replace the complete cartridge. If the existing OM body is in good condition and correctly fitted, changing to Stylus 10 gives you the Stylus 10's own tracking and compliance characteristics while leaving the cartridge body in place.
Elliptical Diamond
The Stylus 10 uses an Elliptical diamond with tip radii of r/R 8/18µm.
An Elliptical stylus differs from a simple Spherical profile by using different radii across its two axes.
This allows the stylus to follow smaller changes in the record groove and provides more accurate tracing of fine modulation.
Why Choose an Elliptical Stylus?
A record groove contains incredibly small variations, particularly at higher frequencies and towards the centre of an LP where the available groove distance becomes shorter.
The narrower tracing dimension of an Elliptical stylus enables it to follow those variations more accurately than a basic Spherical design.
That makes the Stylus 10 a sensible middle ground between an entry-level replacement and the increasingly sophisticated nude and line-contact profiles available further up the OM range.
Stylus 10 vs Stylus 5E
Both Stylus 5E and Stylus 10 use an Elliptical 8/18µm profile, but they have different mechanical specifications and recommended tracking forces.
Stylus 5E
- Elliptical diamond
- r/R 8/18µm profile
- 20µm/mN compliance on OM 5E
- OM 5E recommended tracking force: 1.8g
- Standard replacement for OM 5E
Stylus 10
- Elliptical diamond
- r/R 8/18µm profile
- 20µm/mN dynamic lateral compliance
- 1.5g recommended tracking force
- Upgrade option for OM 5 Series bodies
The important point is that fitting Stylus 10 changes the setup requirements. Do not simply leave the tonearm at the previous stylus's tracking-force setting.
60µm Tracking Ability
Ortofon specifies a tracking ability of 60µm at 315Hz.
Tracking ability describes how well the stylus can remain in stable contact with demanding groove modulation without mistracking.
Correct tracking force and anti-skate remain important even when only the stylus has been changed.
20µm/mN Compliance
Dynamic lateral compliance is specified at 20µm/mN.
Compliance describes the flexibility of the stylus suspension as it responds to groove movement.
Because the suspension is contained within the replaceable stylus assembly, changing to a different OM stylus can alter the mechanical behaviour of the cartridge even though the cartridge body itself remains unchanged.
1.5g Recommended Tracking Force
Ortofon specifies the Stylus 10 tracking-force range as:
- Minimum: 1.25g / 12.5mN
- Recommended: 1.5g / 15mN
- Maximum: 1.75g / 17.5mN
For normal setup, start at the manufacturer's recommended 1.5g.
Reset Tracking Force After Fitting
This is particularly important if you are using Stylus 10 as an upgrade from OM 5E or Super OM 5E. Those cartridges use different tracking-force settings with their original 5E styli. Once Stylus 10 is fitted, use the Stylus 10 specification and reset the tonearm to 1.5g.
Check Anti-Skate Too
If the tonearm provides adjustable anti-skate, it is sensible to check that setting whenever the tracking force changes.
The exact method varies between turntable manufacturers, so follow the instructions for your tonearm rather than relying on a universal setting.
20-Degree Tracking Angle
Ortofon specifies a vertical tracking angle of 20 degrees.
When replacing the stylus on an already correctly mounted compatible OM cartridge body, the body itself normally remains undisturbed, making the upgrade much simpler than fitting a complete new cartridge.
20Hz to 20kHz Frequency Response
Ortofon specifies the Stylus 10 at 20Hz to 20kHz, +3 / -3dB.
This is the current specification published for the stylus itself and is the figure we recommend using rather than importing specifications from an older complete-cartridge listing.
Why Replace a Worn Stylus?
A stylus is a wear component. Over time, the diamond and suspension experience repeated mechanical movement as records are played.
A badly worn or damaged stylus can lead to increased distortion, reduced tracking performance and unnecessary wear to records.
If playback has become noticeably less clean, more distorted or less secure than it once was, the stylus is one of the first parts of the turntable worth checking.
Replacing the Stylus Instead of the Cartridge
Moving magnet cartridges such as the OM family have a major practical advantage: the stylus assembly can be removed independently from the generator body.
This means there is usually no need to disconnect the delicate cartridge wires, undo the cartridge screws or repeat a complete alignment simply to replace a worn stylus.
It also opens the door to genuine upgrades rather than like-for-like replacements.
A Tiny Change Can Make a Big Difference
The stylus is the part physically tracing the record groove. Changing its profile, suspension and mechanical characteristics can alter what the cartridge is capable of retrieving, even when the main cartridge body remains exactly where it was.
How to Replace an OM Stylus
Replacing a removable Ortofon OM stylus is relatively straightforward, 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 tonearm wires.
- Carefully remove the existing stylus assembly from the cartridge body.
- Fit the new Stylus 10 squarely and gently into position.
- Reset tracking force to 1.5g.
- Check anti-skate where adjustable.
- Confirm the stylus assembly is fully seated before playing a record.
If you're uncomfortable handling the stylus or aren't certain which cartridge is fitted, your local Audio T store can help.
Current and Older Cartridge Compatibility
The Stylus 10 is interesting because it bridges several generations of Ortofon cartridge design.
Current OM 5 Series owners can use it as an interchangeable upgrade, while Ortofon also continues to recommend it for a number of earlier cartridge models.
Current OM 5 Series Upgrade
Official Stylus 10 Applications
- Super OM 10
- OM 10
- OMP 10
- OMB 10
- OMT 10
- LM 10
- Concorde 10
- Concorde EC 10
- Concorde STD
- TM 10H
- LMB 12
- SMB 12
- LMA 12
OM, OMP and Older Ortofon Bodies
Some of the cartridge models supported by Stylus 10 are now considerably older than the current OM 5 Series.
That makes correct cartridge identification particularly important. A cartridge may have been fitted to a turntable many years ago, and the model name isn't always immediately obvious when viewed from above.
If you aren't certain whether your cartridge is an OM, OMP, LM, TM or older Concorde design, send us a clear photograph or bring the turntable into your local Audio T store before ordering.
Not Every Ortofon Stylus Is Interchangeable
Don't choose a replacement simply because another Ortofon stylus looks similar. Ortofon has produced several different cartridge and stylus families over the years. Match the replacement to the cartridge body rather than the brand name alone.
What Comes After Stylus 10?
One of the strengths of the OM platform is that Stylus 10 does not have to be the end of the upgrade path.
Ortofon's OM family includes progressively more sophisticated options such as Stylus 20, Stylus 30 and Stylus 40.
These move beyond the basic Elliptical profile and can provide a worthwhile future upgrade where the turntable, tonearm and rest of the system justify it.
Stylus 10
- Elliptical
- r/R 8/18µm
- 20µm/mN compliance
- 1.5g recommended tracking force
Upgrade Path
- Stylus 20
- Stylus 30
- Stylus 40
- Progressively more advanced stylus profiles
Key Features
- Ortofon Stylus 10
- Genuine Ortofon replacement stylus
- Replacement for OM 10 family cartridges
- Upgrade for current OM 5 Series bodies
- Elliptical diamond stylus
- 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
- 1.25 to 1.75g tracking-force range
- 1.5g recommended tracking force
- 20-degree tracking angle
- Black stylus assembly
- User replaceable
- No need to replace the complete compatible cartridge body
- Suitable replacement or upgrade option
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ortofon Stylus 10 still current?
Yes. Ortofon continues to maintain Stylus 10 as a current replacement stylus with a dedicated product page.
Which cartridge is Stylus 10 designed for?
Its principal applications include Super OM 10, OM 10, OMP 10, OMB 10, OMT 10 and LM 10, together with several older Concorde, TM, LMB, SMB and LMA cartridge bodies.
Will Stylus 10 fit an Ortofon OM 5E?
Yes. Ortofon specifically lists Stylus 10 as an interchangeable stylus for the current OM 5 Series, including OM 5E.
Will Stylus 10 fit a Super OM 5E?
Yes. Ortofon lists Stylus 10 as an interchangeable upgrade option for the Super OM 5E body.
Will Stylus 10 fit an OM 5S?
Yes. It is included in Ortofon's interchangeable stylus options for the OM 5 Series.
Will Stylus 10 fit an OM 10?
Yes. OM 10 is one of the cartridge models specifically recommended by Ortofon for Stylus 10.
Will Stylus 10 fit OMP 10?
Yes. Ortofon specifically lists the OMP, or P-Mount, 10 among its recommended cartridge applications.
Will it fit older Ortofon Concorde cartridges?
Ortofon currently recommends Stylus 10 for Concorde 10, Concorde EC 10 and Concorde STD. Do not assume compatibility with every cartridge carrying the Concorde name.
Is Stylus 10 compatible with every Ortofon cartridge?
No. It belongs to a specific family of Ortofon replacement styli and should only be fitted to a manufacturer-compatible cartridge body.
What stylus profile does it use?
Elliptical, with r/R 8/18µm stylus radii.
Is the Stylus 10 nude?
Ortofon's current specification describes Stylus 10 simply as Elliptical and does not describe it as a Nude Elliptical stylus.
What tracking force should I use?
Ortofon recommends 1.5g.
What is the tracking-force range?
1.25 to 1.75g, or 12.5 to 17.5mN.
Do I need to reset tracking force after fitting it?
Yes. Always set tracking force according to the new stylus specification rather than assuming the setting used by the previous stylus is correct.
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?
Ortofon specifies 20Hz to 20kHz at +3 / -3dB.
What colour is Stylus 10?
Black.
Can I fit Stylus 10 myself?
It is designed as a removable replacement stylus and can be changed without replacing the complete cartridge. The stylus and cantilever remain delicate, so handle the assembly carefully or ask Audio T to fit it for you.
Do I need to realign the complete cartridge?
If you are only changing the stylus and the existing compatible cartridge body remains correctly mounted and undisturbed, the cartridge body does not normally need to be removed and realigned. Tracking force and anti-skate should still be checked.
Can I upgrade beyond Stylus 10?
Yes. Compatible OM cartridge bodies provide a route to higher-grade Ortofon styli including Stylus 20, Stylus 30 and Stylus 40.
Related Ortofon Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy an Ortofon Replacement Stylus From Audio T?
Buying the correct replacement stylus isn't always as straightforward as matching the logo on the front. Ortofon has produced many cartridge families over the years, and several older models remain compatible with current replacement styli.
Audio T can help identify the cartridge already fitted to your turntable, confirm whether Stylus 10 is the correct replacement or upgrade and make sure the tracking force is reset correctly once it is installed.
- Cartridge identification
- Stylus compatibility checking
- OM and Super OM upgrade advice
- Replacement stylus fitting
- Tracking-force setup
- Anti-skate checking
- Cartridge alignment checks
- Stylus 10, 20, 30 and 40 upgrade guidance
- Turntable and tonearm advice
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you're unsure whether Ortofon Stylus 10 is the correct replacement for your cartridge.