Replacement Styli Cartridges

he's trying to set you up for the purchase of a cartridge that he sells. other than that he's full of ..........

Well, I wouldn't necessarily agree with the $150 figure, but there are inherent drawbacks with a replaceable stylus assemembly. Vibrations of the smallest magnitude, such as high frequency detail, can be lost in the "sliding fit" of the replaceable stylus assembly, especially where the 2 sections of the cantilever/magnet tube fit together. Also they will always be heavier in the moving mass of the cantilever. This may not be critical if the cartridge is in a class where other carts have similar characteristics, or fit is exceptionally good. But, generally, you can get better results from a non-replaceable type. This is why the ultra cartridges are always sporting non-replaceable styli.

There are some benefits to replaceable styli also. The stylus is easily replaced without need to send it out for re-tipping. And with some cartridges, such as Goldring, the styli are interchangeable, so you can move up in the line, to the Gyger Line-contact types, without buying a whole new cartridge.

IMO, if you find a cart you like, at a price you like, and it has a replaceable stylus, don't worry about it. But if you are looking for a true high performance cart, then the non-replaceable stylus is the way to go.

The Ortofon OM-Super series features the same cartridge body, with 4 different stylus options. The OM-10 Super lists for $90; the OM-20 Super $195; the OM-30 Super $285. There is also a 40 stylus ($225 stylus only). Not sure you can get it with the body. It may only be an upgrade to the stylus.

Now the interesting thing is: if you buy the OM-10 Super for $90 and a 30 stylus for $155. (Total $245.); it is $40 cheaper than the OM-30 Super with the body. You end up with the same thing for less, with an extra 10 stylus as a bonus. I did this, and use the 10 stylus for situations and LPs where I care less about fidelity, and more about not damaging the more expensive stylus.

There is also a OM-3 and OM-5 really cheap, but the body is a lower spec than the OM-Super. Might be similar to what Grado does between Black, Green, Blue, Red, etc.

Ortofon also makes a special 78 RPM stylus that fits this body.

BTW, Garage-a-records.com sells Ortofon at a discount to these prices.

Sugar, that was a kick-ass bit of info you just shared with us. THANK YOU for making us aware of such a situation. Sean
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I guess I should add to the above that the Ortofon OM 78-RPM stylus is about $40, so you can get it also along with the OM-10 Super and Stylus 30, for the price of the OM-30 Super only.

If you buy on the web make sure it is the "Super" body. You could end up with the old OM body if you see an OM-10, (20, 30, etc), for sale.

What is the difference between the standard OM series and the OM super series ? Sean
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The OM "Super" is just the new improved model (the body, not the stylus). They look the same as the OM; use the same stylus, etc. They will say Super (slanted) before the OM on the side (see pic).

The new Super OM cartridges have been designed on the basis of Ortofon’s lightweight moving magnet system – originally introduced in the OM (Optimum Match) Series – with two major refinements.

By means of computer simulation methods, it has been possible to define the natural pivot point of the system with unprecedented accuracy while achieving an optimum oscillation balance. This translates into improved linearity, higher channel separation, and reduced distortion.

In addition, Ortofon has succeeded in developing a technique by which to “slit” the less than 1 mm diameter hollow pole pins, thus ignificantly reducing “eddy current” losses caused by magnetic hysteresis. This extends the frequency range and improves phase linearity.

Choose between a nude, fine line stylus (Super OM 30), a nude, elliptical stylus
(Super OM 20), or an elliptical stylus (Super OM 10).