Ortofon Stylus 3E

Ortofon Stylus 3E Replacement Diamond

The Ortofon Stylus 3E is an elliptical replacement diamond specially designed for Ortofon OM 3E and OMP 3E phono cartridges. The Stylus 3E covers a wide frequency range from 20 Hz to 18 kHz, allowing faithful reproduction of bass, midrange, and treble. Its high compliance of 20 µm/mN gives it great flexibility and allows it to accurately follow the grooves of the record.

Compatibility and Replacement

This diamond is specifically designed as a replacement part for Ortofon OM 3E and OMP 3E cartridges. It easily mounts onto the headshell in place of the old worn diamond. Regular replacement (approximately every 1000 hours of listening) is essential to maintain optimal sound quality and avoid damaging records.

The Stylus 3E is part of the Ortofon OM diamond range, which offers models of increasing quality. Thus, it is possible to further improve the performance of your OM 3E cartridge by later opting for a higher-class diamond such as the Stylus 5E, 10, 20, 30, or 40.

Manufacturing Quality

Ortofon is renowned for the high manufacturing quality of its cartridges and diamonds. The Stylus 3E benefits from the Danish brand’s expertise in cutting and polishing stylus tips. Its natural diamond elliptical tip is machined with great precision to best fit the shape of the grooves and extract maximum detail, with minimal distortion and record wear.

Each diamond undergoes quality control before shipment, as evidenced by the certificate provided with each unit. Very strict manufacturing tolerances ensure consistent performance from one diamond to another.

Sound Reproduction

Mounted on an OM 3E cartridge, the Stylus 3E delivers balanced and natural sound across the entire audio spectrum. It reproduces different frequencies without notable coloration, with satisfactory dynamics and good channel separation.

Its elliptical tip radius of 8 x 18 µm allows it to faithfully decode high frequencies and reveal many details, without becoming overly analytical. The bass is firm and the midrange clear and expressive.

Although positioned as an entry-level product at Ortofon, the Stylus 3E significantly outperforms the original diamonds supplied with budget turntables. As such, it represents a very interesting upgrade at a low cost for owners of OM 3E cartridges.

In summary, the Ortofon Stylus 3E diamond offers the following advantages:

• Easy and quick replacement on Ortofon OM 3E and OMP 3E cartridges
• Balanced and natural sound reproduction across the spectrum
• Good detail readability and clear midrange
• Satisfactory dynamics and stereo separation
• Very interesting quality/price ratio in the entry-level range
• Possibility to upgrade to a higher-class Ortofon diamond
• Careful and reliable manufacturing, individual quality control

Technical Specifications

General Specifications

• Diamond: Elliptical
• Diamond Color: Black
• Tracking Angle: 20°

Audio Performance

• Frequency Response: 20-18,000 Hz +2 / -3 dB
• Tracking Ability (315 Hz at recommended tracking force): 60 µm
• Dynamic Lateral Compliance: 20 µm / mN

Physical Characteristics

• Diamond Tip Radius: r / R 8 / 18 µm
• Equivalent Tip Mass: 0.5 mg

Tracking Force

• Tracking Force Range: 1.5-2.0 g (15-20 mN)
• Recommended Tracking Force: 1.75 g (17.5 mN)