Ortofon Hi-Fi Super OM 5 E Moving Magnet Cartridge

More Music from Your Records

The Ortofon Super OM 5E is the refined version of the OM 5E, sharing the same elliptical stylus and easy-fitting OM design but adding a better body and Ortofon's split pole pins. The result is cleaner treble, tighter imaging and lower distortion, a worthwhile step up for anyone who wants more from a budget turntable without changing tonearms.

Why You'll Love It

• A cleaner, more refined sound: An optimised body and split pole pins extend the treble and tighten the imaging over the standard OM 5E, so records sound clearer and more open for not much more money.

• Same easy OM fit: The lightweight OM body mounts on top- and bottom-mount headshells, and a removable weight-plate matches it to a standard or low-mass tonearm, dropping to just 2.5g.

• Upgrade the stylus, not the cartridge: Like the rest of the OM range, it takes styli from the 3E up to the OM 40, so you can keep improving the sound later without replacing the whole cartridge.

Under the Hood

• Split pole pins: Ortofon's split pole pin design, shared with the pricier 2M series, reduces treble losses and improves phase linearity for a more even, extended response.

• Optimised body geometry: A computer-refined pivot point and a rigid, resonance-free Noryl body give better linearity and lower distortion than the basic OM 5E.

• Elliptical diamond stylus: The elliptical tip tracks the groove more accurately than a spherical stylus, for better detail and less distortion.

CHT Insider Verdict

The Super OM 5E is the pick of the OM range for anyone who wants a real step up from a basic cartridge without moving to the 2M series. The better body and split pole pins clearly improve the sound over the OM 5E, and it keeps the OM's tool-free fitting and stylus-upgrade path. If your turntable takes a standard half-inch cartridge and you want more still, the 2M Red is the next move.

Pro Tip: Because the OM stylus range is interchangeable, you can fit an OM 10, 20 or 30 stylus to this body later for a big lift in sound, at a fraction of the cost of a new cartridge. It's one of the cheapest ways to keep improving your vinyl over time.