Name: Stylus 540 MK II
Brand: Ortofon
SKU: 5705796150049

Ortofon STYLUS 540 MK II Replacement Diamond

The Ortofon Stylus 540 MK II is a replacement diamond designed for the Danish brand’s 500 series phono cartridges. The Stylus 540 MK II features a nude elliptical diamond, a rare configuration for moving magnet cartridges. The stylus tip has a large radius of 8 x 18 µm. This extended elliptical shape, combined with the absence of a support around the diamond (nude configuration), allows the diamond to closely follow the groove of the vinyl record, ensuring precise playback and capturing the maximum amount of information engraved in the groove.

The pure aluminum cantilever provides rigidity and low mass. These properties are essential for the diamond to faithfully follow the high-frequency undulations of the groove without distortion. The reduced mass of the cantilever also promotes dynamic and responsive playback.

The announced compliance is 20 µm/mN, a relatively high value that ensures good groove tracking. This suspension flexibility allows the diamond to adapt to the irregularities of the vinyl. The Stylus 540 MK II is optimally matched with medium to light tonearms. Its weight of 5 g is standard for a moving magnet cartridge.

Sound Qualities

Sonically, the Stylus 540 MK II impresses with its extreme precision and ability to reproduce the finest details engraved in the groove. The large contact surface of the nude elliptical diamond extracts the maximum amount of information, revealing subtle nuances previously drowned in background noise.

The frequency response ranges from 20 Hz to 25 kHz, covering the entire audible spectrum. The highs are very fine, delivering rich harmonics without any harshness. The midrange, crucial for voices and acoustic instruments, is highly realistic with a beautiful presence. The bass, ample and tight, provides a solid foundation for the music.

Soundstage benefits greatly from the precise reading of the nude elliptical diamond. The soundstage widens, gains depth with better definition of the planes. Each instrument is well localized in a three-dimensional space. The separation of the left and right channels is excellent, enhancing the sense of space.

The Stylus 540 MK II demonstrates great musical versatility. Regardless of the music being listened to, from large symphony orchestras to small jazz ensembles to energetic rock, it delivers a captivatingly realistic and natural sound reproduction. The timbres of the instruments are perfectly respected.

Compatibility and Installation

The Stylus 540 MK II is specifically designed for Ortofon’s 500 series phono cartridges. It is therefore compatible with models 510, 520, 530, and 540. Replacing the worn diamond with this Stylus 540 MK II gives these cartridges a new lease on life, bringing a significant gain in precision and musicality.

Installation is very simple and requires no tools. Simply remove the old diamond by gently pulling it forward, then insert the new Stylus 540 MK II until it clicks into place. Cleaning the cartridge with a brush before the operation is recommended.

After replacing the diamond, it is advisable to check and, if necessary, readjust the tracking force setting. Ortofon recommends a force of 2 to 3 g for this diamond, with a nominal value of 2.5 g. Fine-tuning allows for optimal performance depending on the tonearm.