Ortofon Super OM 5
Ortofon MM cartridge with elliptical stylus, fitted with an adjustable weight to suit standard or low-mass tonearms.
Description
The Super OM 5 is a moving magnet (MM) cartridge from Ortofon, designed for turntables fitted with a standard headshell or cartridge mount. It is fitted by means of a body designed to suit different types of tonearms.
The elliptical stylus of the Super OM 5E follows the groove oscillations with greater precision than a spherical stylus, thanks to its profiled shape, resulting in improved groove tracing and reduced distortion. The system's pivot point was defined by computer simulation to achieve optimal oscillation balance, improving linearity and channel separation and reducing distortion. The split-pole pins also limit magnetic losses in the treble, which extends the frequency range and improves phase linearity. The body, made of Noryl (a plastic and glass compound), provides high rigidity that limits unwanted resonances.
A removable weight plate is housed in the mounting support: it can be left in place for a standard tonearm, or removed for a low-mass tonearm, with the cartridge weight then dropping to 2.5 g. This system makes it compatible with a wider range of turntable configurations.
This cartridge is aimed at vinyl enthusiasts seeking balanced, low-distortion playback on a system fitted with a standard or low-mass tonearm, without aiming for a high-end cartridge.
Technical specifications
| Output level | 4 mV |
| Channel separation | 22 dB (15 dB at 15 kHz) |
| Channel balance | 1.5 dB |
| Frequency response at 3 dB | 20 - 25,000 Hz |
| Frequency response (20 20,000 Hz) | +2/-3 dB |
| Intermodulation distortion | <1% |
| Tracking ability at 315 Hz | 65 µm |
| Lateral compliance | 20 µm/mN |
| Cartridge weight | 5 g |
| Equivalent mass | 0.5 mg |
| Internal inductance | 580 mH |
| Recommended load | 47 kohms / 200 to 500 pF |
| Tracking angle | 20° |
| Tracking force | 1.5 to 2 g |
| Recommended force | 1.75 g |
What to check before buying used
The elliptical stylus is the main wear part: check its condition under a magnifier or lens, as a worn tip or a bent cantilever significantly impairs groove tracing. Also check the presence and condition of the removable weight plate, which determines compatibility with a standard or low-mass tonearm. The recommended tracking force values (1.5 to 2 g, ideally 1.75 g) should be observed when setting up, to preserve the stylus and the records.
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