Audio T Verdict
The Ortofon Stylus 20 is where the OM upgrade path starts becoming particularly interesting. It moves beyond the conventional Elliptical diamond of Stylus 10 and introduces a Nude Elliptical stylus, reducing unnecessary moving mass while retaining a relatively straightforward 8/18µm groove-contact profile.
It is also far more versatile than simply being a spare needle for an OM 20. Ortofon supports it across a sizeable selection of OM, Super OM, OMP, OMB, LM, TM and older Concorde cartridge bodies, while current OM 5 Series and Concorde 5 owners can use it as a genuine performance upgrade.
If your compatible cartridge body is already correctly mounted, fitting Stylus 20 can therefore provide a meaningful upgrade without replacing or realigning the complete cartridge. Reset the tracking force to 1.5g, check anti-skate and you're ready to rediscover what the cartridge body is capable of.
Ortofon Stylus 20
The Ortofon Stylus 20 is a genuine replacement and upgrade stylus featuring a Nude Elliptical diamond for compatible Ortofon moving magnet cartridge bodies.
It provides a substantial step beyond basic replacement styli, combining a lower-mass nude diamond with 25µm/mN dynamic compliance, 70µm tracking ability and a light 1.5g recommended tracking force.
- Genuine Ortofon replacement and upgrade stylus
- Nude Elliptical diamond
- r/R 8/18µm stylus radii
- 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response
- 70µm tracking ability at 315Hz
- 25µm/mN dynamic lateral compliance
- 1.25 to 1.75g tracking-force range
- 1.5g recommended tracking force
- 20-degree tracking angle
- Black stylus assembly
- Replacement for OM 20 family cartridges
- Upgrade option for current OM 5 Series cartridges
- Upgrade option for current Concorde 5 Series cartridges
- User-replaceable design
Will Ortofon Stylus 20 Fit My Cartridge?
Stylus compatibility is the most important thing to establish before ordering. The Stylus 20 fits a broad range of Ortofon cartridges, but it is not a universal replacement for every Ortofon cartridge ever made.
Ortofon specifically recommends Stylus 20 for:
- Super OM 20
- OM 20
- OMP 20
- OMB 20
- LM 20
- Concorde 20
- LM 20H
- TM 20U
- TM 20H
Ortofon also confirms Stylus 20 as an interchangeable upgrade for the current OM 5 Series:
The current Concorde 5 Series is also compatible with Stylus 20, including:
If you're not certain which cartridge is fitted to your turntable, contact Audio T before ordering. A photograph of the cartridge is often enough for us to help identify it.
A Direct Replacement for the OM 20 Family
If your cartridge was originally supplied as an OM 20, Super OM 20, OMP 20 or OMB 20, Stylus 20 is the natural genuine Ortofon replacement when the original stylus becomes worn or damaged.
The stylus assembly can be changed independently from the cartridge generator, which means there is usually no need to disconnect the cartridge wires or remove the cartridge body from the tonearm.
A Serious Upgrade for OM 5 Series Owners
Stylus 20 isn't limited to cartridges originally sold with a number 20 stylus.
Ortofon specifically designed the OM platform so owners could improve performance by replacing only the stylus assembly rather than the complete cartridge.
Current OM 5S, OM 5E and Super OM 5E cartridge bodies can all accept Stylus 20.
Already Have an OM 5E?
If your OM 5E cartridge body is in good condition and properly aligned, Stylus 20 provides a substantial upgrade without changing the cartridge body. You move from the original Elliptical stylus to a Nude Elliptical diamond with higher 25µm/mN compliance.
Particularly Interesting for Super OM Owners
The Super OM range is especially upgrade-friendly.
Ortofon states that Super OM models share the same cartridge body, construction and magnetic circuitry, with the interchangeable stylus unit providing the difference between Super OM 10, 20, 30 and 40 models.
This means fitting Stylus 20 to a compatible Super OM body allows you to take advantage of the Super OM 20 stylus configuration without replacing the main generator body.
Super OM Body Already Fitted?
This is one of the most cost-effective uses for Stylus 20. If your Super OM cartridge body is already correctly installed, the stylus assembly is the key component that moves the cartridge to the next performance level.
Compatible With the Current Concorde 5 Series
Ortofon also designed the current Concorde 5 Series with an upgrade path in mind.
Concorde 5S and Concorde 5E can accept Stylus 5S, 5E, 10, 20, 30 and 40.
This means a Concorde 5 owner can move to the Nude Elliptical Stylus 20 without replacing the complete bayonet-mount cartridge.
Reset the Tracking Force
The original Concorde 5E stylus is specified at 1.8g. Stylus 20 is specified at 1.5g. If you upgrade a Concorde 5 cartridge to Stylus 20, reset the tracking force to the specification of the new stylus.
Nude Elliptical Diamond
The biggest technical step from Stylus 10 to Stylus 20 is the move from a conventional Elliptical stylus to a Nude Elliptical diamond.
Ortofon specifies the same basic r/R 8/18µm groove-contact radii, but the construction of the diamond itself changes.
What Does Nude Elliptical Mean?
With a nude stylus, the diamond itself forms the complete stylus rather than using a small diamond tip attached to a separate mounting shank.
Removing that extra material reduces moving mass at the end of the cantilever assembly.
The stylus can therefore respond more readily to small changes in groove modulation.
Same Shape, Different Construction
Stylus 10 and Stylus 20 both use an 8/18µm Elliptical profile. The important distinction is that Stylus 20 uses a Nude Elliptical diamond. The shape may look similar on the specification sheet, but the moving assembly is more sophisticated.
Why Lower Moving Mass Matters
The stylus has to change direction extremely quickly as it follows the tiny modulation cut into a record groove.
Reducing unnecessary mass makes it easier for the stylus assembly to respond to those movements.
In a suitably capable turntable system, this can help improve fine-detail retrieval, transient definition and tracking precision.
70µm Tracking Ability
Ortofon specifies tracking ability at 70µm at 315Hz.
This is higher than the 60µm figure specified for Stylus 10 and reflects the more capable stylus and suspension assembly.
Tracking ability describes how successfully the stylus can remain in stable contact with demanding groove modulation without mistracking.
25µm/mN Dynamic Compliance
Stylus 20 has a dynamic lateral compliance of 25µm/mN.
Compliance describes the flexibility of the stylus suspension as it responds to movement within the record groove.
Because the suspension forms part of the removable stylus assembly, changing from Stylus 10 or 5E to Stylus 20 alters the mechanical behaviour of the cartridge even though the main generator body remains unchanged.
1.5g Recommended Tracking Force
Ortofon specifies the Stylus 20 tracking-force range as:
- Minimum: 1.25g / 12.5mN
- Recommended: 1.5g / 15mN
- Maximum: 1.75g / 17.5mN
For normal setup, use the recommended 1.5g.
Use the Stylus 20 Setting, Not the Old Stylus Setting
If Stylus 20 is being used as an upgrade, don't assume the existing tracking-force setting remains correct. OM 5E, Super OM 5E and Concorde 5E all use different recommended forces with their original styli. Once Stylus 20 is fitted, reset the tonearm to 1.5g.
Check Anti-Skate After the Upgrade
Where the tonearm provides adjustable anti-skate, check it after resetting tracking force.
The correct method varies between tonearms, so follow the manufacturer's setup procedure for the particular turntable rather than assuming one universal anti-skate value.
20-Degree Tracking Angle
Ortofon specifies a tracking angle of 20 degrees.
If you are replacing only the stylus on a compatible cartridge body that is already correctly aligned, the body itself normally remains undisturbed.
This is one of the big advantages of a user-replaceable MM stylus.
20Hz to 20kHz Frequency Response
The dedicated Stylus 20 specification gives a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz at +2 / -3dB.
This is the specification for the replacement stylus itself and is the figure we recommend using on this page rather than importing the electrical performance of one particular cartridge body.
Stylus 10 or Stylus 20?
The two styli share the same 8/18µm Elliptical geometry and 1.5g recommended tracking force, but the Stylus 20 is the more sophisticated design.
Stylus 10
- Elliptical diamond
- r/R 8/18µm
- 60µm tracking ability
- 20µm/mN compliance
- 1.5g recommended tracking force
Stylus 20
- Nude Elliptical diamond
- r/R 8/18µm
- 70µm tracking ability
- 25µm/mN compliance
- 1.5g recommended tracking force
The Nude Elliptical construction, increased compliance and higher specified tracking ability are the main reasons to choose Stylus 20 over Stylus 10.
Stylus 20 or Move Further Up?
Stylus 20 is not the end of the OM upgrade path.
Compatible OM bodies can also accommodate Stylus 30 and Stylus 40, which move to increasingly sophisticated line-contact diamond profiles.
The right choice depends on the quality of the turntable, tonearm and the rest of the system. A more advanced stylus can retrieve more information, but also rewards increasingly accurate setup.
Stylus 20
- Nude Elliptical
- Excellent step-up upgrade
- Relatively straightforward alignment
- 1.5g recommended tracking force
Further OM Upgrades
- Stylus 30
- Stylus 40
- More advanced groove-contact profiles
- Greater emphasis on precise setup
Replacing a Worn Stylus
A stylus is a mechanical wear component.
As the diamond traces hundreds of metres of record groove over time, both the stylus and suspension experience repeated movement.
A damaged or badly worn stylus can increase distortion, compromise tracking and potentially increase record wear, so replacing it when necessary is an important part of turntable maintenance.
Upgrade Instead of Like-for-Like Replacement
If your existing stylus needs replacing, you don't necessarily need to buy exactly the same model again.
One of the original design objectives behind the OM platform was to allow owners to upgrade sound reproduction simply by fitting a better stylus.
Stylus replacement can therefore be both maintenance and an upgrade opportunity.
Replacing an OM 5E Stylus?
If the cartridge body is still in good condition, compare the price of a replacement 5E stylus with Stylus 10 and Stylus 20. Moving up the stylus range may make more sense than simply returning the cartridge to its original specification.
How to Fit Ortofon Stylus 20
The Stylus 20 is designed to be replaced independently from the compatible cartridge body, but the stylus and suspension remain delicate.
- Switch off the turntable and amplifier.
- Secure the tonearm so it cannot move unexpectedly.
- Hold the cartridge body securely.
- Carefully remove the existing stylus assembly without pulling on the cartridge or tonearm wires.
- Fit Stylus 20 squarely and gently into the compatible cartridge body.
- Check that the assembly is fully seated.
- Reset tracking force to 1.5g.
- Check anti-skate where adjustable.
- Inspect the stylus position before playing a record.
If you're not comfortable handling the stylus, Audio T can supply and fit it for you.
Do I Need to Realign the Cartridge?
If you're replacing only the stylus and the compatible cartridge body remains securely mounted in its original correctly aligned position, there is normally no reason to remove the complete cartridge.
That means overhang and offset angle remain unchanged.
Tracking force and anti-skate should still be checked because those settings relate to the stylus assembly that has just changed.
Old Cartridge? Check the Model First
Stylus 20 supports several Ortofon models that may now be decades old.
Labels can fade, turntables change hands and older cartridges aren't always immediately recognisable.
If you're trying to find a replacement for an LM, TM, OMP, OMB or older Concorde cartridge and aren't completely certain of the model, ask Audio T to confirm compatibility before ordering.
Don't Buy on Appearance Alone
Several Ortofon replacement styli can look broadly similar but belong to different cartridge families. Stylus 20 should only be fitted to a cartridge body Ortofon identifies as compatible.
Manufacturer-Recommended Applications
OM and Super OM
- Super OM 20
- OM 20
- OM 5S upgrade
- OM 5E upgrade
- Super OM 5E upgrade
OMP, OMB and LM
- OMP 20
- OMB 20
- LM 20
- LM 20H
Concorde
- Concorde 20
- Concorde 5S upgrade
- Concorde 5E upgrade
Key Features
- Ortofon Stylus 20
- Genuine Ortofon replacement stylus
- Nude Elliptical diamond
- r/R 8/18µm stylus radii
- 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response
- +2 / -3dB response tolerance
- 70µm tracking ability at 315Hz
- 25µm/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
- OM 20 replacement
- Super OM 20 replacement
- OMP 20 replacement
- OMB 20 replacement
- Current OM 5 Series upgrade option
- Current Concorde 5 Series upgrade option
- Compatible with selected legacy Ortofon bodies
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ortofon Stylus 20 still current?
Yes. Ortofon continues to maintain Stylus 20 within its current replacement stylus range.
What type of stylus is the Ortofon Stylus 20?
It uses a Nude Elliptical diamond with r/R 8/18µm stylus radii.
What does Nude Elliptical mean?
The diamond itself forms the stylus rather than using a small diamond tip bonded to a separate mounting shank. This reduces unnecessary moving mass.
Will Stylus 20 fit an OM 20?
Yes. OM 20 is one of the cartridge models specifically recommended by Ortofon for Stylus 20.
Will Stylus 20 fit a Super OM 20?
Yes. Super OM 20 is specifically listed by Ortofon.
Will Stylus 20 fit an OM 5E?
Yes. Ortofon lists Stylus 20 among the interchangeable upgrade styli for the current OM 5 Series.
Will Stylus 20 fit a Super OM 5E?
Yes. It is an officially supported interchangeable stylus for the Super OM 5E body.
Will Stylus 20 fit OM 5S?
Yes. Ortofon includes Stylus 20 among the upgrade options for OM 5S.
Will Stylus 20 fit a Concorde 5E?
Yes. Ortofon states that current Concorde 5 Series cartridges are fully compatible with Stylus 20.
Will it fit Concorde 5S?
Yes. The current Concorde 5 Series accepts Stylus 5S, 5E, 10, 20, 30 and 40.
Will Stylus 20 fit the older Concorde 20?
Yes. Concorde 20 is specifically included in Ortofon's recommended cartridge list for Stylus 20.
Will Stylus 20 fit OMP 20?
Yes. Ortofon specifically recommends Stylus 20 for OMP 20.
Will Stylus 20 fit OMB 20?
Yes. OMB 20 is included in Ortofon's current recommended application list.
Will Stylus 20 fit LM 20?
Yes. Ortofon recommends Stylus 20 for both LM 20 and LM 20H.
Is Stylus 20 compatible with every Ortofon cartridge?
No. It belongs to the OM-related stylus family and selected compatible Concorde designs. Always identify the cartridge body before ordering.
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.
What is the tracking ability?
70µm at 315Hz.
What is the dynamic compliance?
25µm/mN.
What is the tracking angle?
20 degrees.
What is the frequency response?
Ortofon specifies 20Hz to 20kHz at +2 / -3dB.
What colour is Stylus 20?
Black.
What is the difference between Stylus 10 and Stylus 20?
Stylus 10 uses an Elliptical diamond, while Stylus 20 uses a Nude Elliptical design. Stylus 20 also has higher 70µm tracking ability and 25µm/mN compliance.
Can I fit Stylus 20 myself?
Yes. It is designed as a removable MM replacement stylus. The diamond and suspension are delicate, so handle it carefully or ask Audio T to fit it for you.
Do I need to realign my cartridge after fitting Stylus 20?
If the existing compatible cartridge body remains correctly mounted and hasn't moved, you normally don't need to remove and realign the complete cartridge. You should reset tracking force to 1.5g and check anti-skate.
Can I upgrade further after Stylus 20?
Yes. Compatible OM cartridge bodies provide further upgrade routes through Stylus 30 and Stylus 40.
Related Ortofon Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy an Ortofon Replacement Stylus From Audio T?
Replacement stylus compatibility can be surprisingly confusing, particularly with Ortofon cartridge bodies that may have been fitted twenty or thirty years ago. Audio T can help identify your cartridge, confirm whether Stylus 20 fits and advise whether it represents the best replacement or whether another OM stylus would be a more worthwhile upgrade.
- Cartridge identification
- Stylus compatibility checking
- OM and Super OM upgrade advice
- Concorde 5 stylus upgrade advice
- Legacy Ortofon cartridge identification
- Replacement stylus fitting
- Tracking-force setup
- Anti-skate checking
- Cartridge alignment checks
- Stylus 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 20 is the correct replacement or upgrade for your cartridge.