1. Stylus and record care, Stylus lifetime and Styli types.
2. General cartridge mounting: leads connections, azimuth, VTA, overhang, antiskating, phono preamp, break-in.
3. Malfunctions
4. How to replace stylus in MM cartridge
5. How to select the right cartridge for your particular record player.
6. Why should you use a dedicated mono cartridge for playing vinyl mono records?
7. Why use a transformer?
8. Principles of operation: Moving Magnet vs Moving Coil

1. Stylus

1.1. Stylus and record care

To maintain optimal sound reproduction and to minimize wear on your record as well as on your stylus, we recommend the following procedure before and after each playback:

• Remove dust carefully from record surfaces by using Ortofon antistatic Record brush before every use. Use Ortofon Stylus fiber brush a few times along the cantilever in the direction of the stylus tip, whenever you play a new record or change sides. Use the brush in the forward direction from the rear of the cartridge towards the stylus tip and never from stylus tip to the rear of the cartridge and never from side to side. This will take all normal dust and most of the slick release agent from new records. Following this treatment there will normally be no need for further stylus cleaning.

Watch this video that explains how to clean your stylus:

• Ortofon do not recommend the use of solvents of any kind for cleaning of either record surface or stylus. If necessary, records may be washed in lukewarm demineralized water with a dash of sulphonic soap. The detergents should be allergy- & environmental friendly, without perfume or as little as possible: a few drops to a few liters of waters, no lather. Occasional use of record washing machine can be recommended.

• The use of solvents on the stylus and cantilever may damage stylus cement. Also, interior parts of the cartridge can be affected seriously by the intrusion of solvents. The Ortofon warranty service will not be valid in cases where such treatment has caused malfunction of your cartridge.
NB: Ortofon do not recommend the use of the Onzow Zerodust stylus cleaner.
Review quote from Analog Planet, Jul 25, 2012, by Michael Fremer: "...The Onzow Zerodust is recommended only if you can prevent your platter from moving when you lower the stylus into the mound of gel, and only occasionally, unless you exercise extreme caution each and every time..."

• Please mount the stylus guard onto the cartridge whenever the cartridge is not in use in order to avoid accidental damage to the stylus or cantilever. The stylus protection guard provided for the cartridge is designed to be easily replaced and removed. A new stylus protection guard can be purchased on the Ortofon webshop https://www.ortofon.com/hifi/products/styli-guards .

• Please remember to remove dust from the diamond tip before and after playback of each record.

In order to keep electrical contacts clean and to lubricate the knurled nut on the tonearm, Ortofon recommends occasionally a light spray of contact cleaner like DeoxIT ®Gold G-Series into the tonearm socket.

 
1.2. Stylus lifetime

With proper care we find that up to 1000 hours is possible without degradation of performance.
You can learn more about stylus lifetime and how to get the most out of your records here. 

Proper care comprises the following:

• Cleaning of record by means of fibre brush before and after every use. Cleaning of record by using record cleaning machine once in a while. 
• Cleaning of stylus by means of a fine antistatic brush. Please remember to remove dust from the diamond tip before and after playback of each record. Use the brush in the forward direction from the rear of the cartridge towards the stylus tip and never from stylus tip to the rear of the cartridge and never from side to side.
• Proper adjustment of antiskating, azimuth and tracking force.

Concerning DJ systems used for "scratching" and "back cuing", we have experienced stylus lifetime to be substantially less because of their unique application. As a consequence DJ`s will have to consider about 500 hours at the most.
 
1.3. Styli types

There are several different diamond shapes with various properties, and each of them are crucial factors for sound quality.


For more information about Diamonds and Styli types please here.

2. General cartridge mounting

Watch this comprehensive video that explains how to set-up your cartridge:

2.1. Leads connections

All Ortofon cartridges have a colour coding of the terminals, indicating red and green for right channel respectively hot and ground terminal. White and blue for left channel respectively hot and ground terminal. Green terminal will always be used for grounding the cartridge housings or motor-system, whenever connected inside the cartridge.

We recommend to connect lead wires to the cartridge and head-shell before mounting the cartridge on the head-shell.

NB: Please remember correct orientation of the leads because of cartridge terminal PINs dimensions of 1.2 mm and headshell PINs normally only 1.0 mm. If shifted around, it may cause over-tightening of the assembly.  Being aware about this detail, you will avoid the risk of having the cartridge's terminal PINs fall out.

Moving magnets (2M Series and OM Series) connector PINs principal drawing:

    
Moving Coils and SPU N Series connector PINs principal drawing:

 

2.2. Stylus position to record centre, overhang and alignment

For alignment of overhang please follow record player instructions. Where no instructions or cartridge alignment protractor available, we recommend 16 mm as a general position of the stylus in front of the spindle centre for having almost zero tracking error on two stylus positions, one at about  30mm inwards from the starting groove and again near the end of playing.
 
2.3. Azimuth, vertical alignment

Azimuth adjustment or vertical alignment of the cartridge is very important for optimal channel separation.
The checking is easily done by lowering the cartridge onto a thin mirror placed on the record surface and examining whether the reflection lines up square with the cartridge, when viewed from the front. During this test tonearm must still be parallel to the record surface. If not obtainable because of mirror thickness, remove record and work directly on the mat. If alignment is still incorrect and not adjustable because of fixed headshell,  the only solution is to resort to packing on one side of the head-shell.

Watch this video that explains how to check and adjust Azimuth:

2.4. Tonearm level, Vertical Tracking Angle (VTA)

Cartridges are constructed so that cantilever angle corresponds to the 20 deg. record cutting angle, when the cartridge is loaded with recommended tracking force and the cartridge base is parallel with the tonearm and this again is parallel to the record surface.

0.5 mm clearance between the cartridge base line and record surface is the acceptable minimum. 

2.4.1. Compatibility with Rega brand TT/TA:

The Rega tonearms are installed for the height of the Rega cartridges, these cartridges’ height from stylus tip to the top of the cartridge mounting surface is lower than standard. Since it is vital to ensure that the cartridge base is parallel with the tonearm and the tonearm is parallel with the record surface, you will need spacers to ensure the correct setup of your Ortofon cartridge.

The OM series, the 2M series and the Cadenza series needs the tonearm to be raised 4 mm and the Quintet series need the tonearm to be raised by 5,2 mm.

We do not offer spacers for the Rega tonearms.

Rega offers the following options:

https://www.rega.co.uk/accessories/2mm-three-point-arm-height-adjustment-spacer-stainless

https://www.rega.co.uk/accessories/2mm-arm-height-adjustment-spacer-universal

Both will raise the arm by 2 mm. If using this set, we recommend raising the tonearm 4 mm when using The OM series, the 2M series, and the Cadenza series and 6 mm when using the Quintet series.

Acoustic signature offers the following option:

Rega Spacer Set - Acoustic Signature accessories (acoustic-signature.com)

These spacers raise the tonearm in 0,5 mm increments. If using this set, we recommend raising the tonearm 4 mm when using The OM series, the 2M series, and the Cadenza series and 5 mm when using the Quintet series.
 
2.5. Phono preamp settings

For Moving Magnet cartridges both resistive load (47 Kohm) and the capacitive load (typically a few hundred pF) are important.
Resistive loading for Moving Magnets is the same as load impedance for Moving Coils.

For Moving Coil cartridges is only the resistive loading vital (unless the capacitive load is unrealistically high), and it is not more important than that we can just specify Recommended load impedance interval. The reason for the Moving Coil is so "insensitive" is that it has a low internal/generator resistance, which makes the MC cartridge more "immune" to what we load it with.

The sound character is influenced by the input/load impedance. The lower the load impedance, the higher the current and the more dynamic the sound will be.

2.6. Anti-skating, bias compensation adjustment

Correct bias or anti-skating adjustment is important in order to achieve optimal tracking ability and thereby minimum record wear and distortion. A number of players have a device which, related to the tracking force, will give an anti-clockwise force needed to the tonearm. Correct bias has to compensate for the inwards directed torque on the tonearm caused by the friction between stylus and groove. But this again is influenced by stylus type and amplitudes in the record.

A simple recommendation for a rather precise bias: if you hear distortion in say right channel when using recommended tracking force, increase the biasscale and vice versa. This is for normal cartridge use. But when working like the DJ´s, where the record is turned forwards and backwards, bias has to be reduced otherwise stylus will easily jump in the groove.

2.7. Tonearm/cartridge combination

When choosing either MC or MM cartridges for your record player, total mass of tonearm including cartridge and headshell has to be taken into account in relation to the mechanical compliance (elasticity) of the cartridge cantilever system. Find more information here.

Meaning that high mass of the combination needs low mechanical compliance, otherwise record warps can easily provoke tonearm vibrations at frequencies around 4 to 6 Hz, that will bring degradation of performance. At least 8 Hz is advisable.

To choose the right cartridge for your turntable/tonearm please see our Replacement cartridges for Turntables/tonearms selector.

2.8. Break-in

A "break-in" period of up to 20 hours of normal playback has to be allowed in order to get the best performance.

3. Malfunctions

3.1. Contact problems

One channel missing can arise for several reasons. For cartridges mounted in head-shells check cable shoes for not being short circuited or wires inside the insulation being disconnected from the cable shoe.

It is our experience that dirt is the main reason for missing contact in systems using the SME-type tonearm connection. Dirt or some sort of oxidation, if contacts are not gold-plated or if gold plated contacts have been exposed to abrasive cleaning, can happen on all contacts involved and especially when systems are often taken in and out as the case will be for DJ`s.

For cleaning contacts, we recommend using a dedicated contact spray.

3.2. Distortion

Correct tracking force is very important for optimum performance as well as for reduction of wear in the record caused by mistracking. Tracking force should rather be too high than too low to overcome high amplitudes in the record and should be adjusted together with the anti-skating.

4. How to replace stylus in the Moving Magnet cartridge?

Firstly lock the turntable tone arm, unscrew the cartridge, gently remove the stylus from the cartridge body and insert a new stylus. A stylus is changed usually by pulling straight out and in the opposite direction of the turntable's arm. If the stylus doesn't come with direction, try these: with one hand, hold the cartridge to steady it. With the other hand grasp the stylus from both sides and pull. Install the new stylus. Holding the stylus from the top, press it gently into the space at the tip of the cartridge where the old stylus had been. Don't force it.

5. How to select the right cartridge for your particular record player?

Begin by determining:

a. The mounting system of the tonearm on your turntable
-    A headshell (or mounting bracket) with two screws holes on /2” spacing
-    A TP4 socket
-    A universal Ortofon/SME mount socket, found on many S-shaped arms

b. The mass of the arm
When selecting either MC or MM cartridges for your record player, the total effective mass of tonearm (including tonearm effective mass, cartridge and headshell) has to be taken into account in relation to the mechanical compliance (elasticity) of the cartridge cantilever system.

The rule of the thumb regarding the match between toneram mass and cartridge compliance goes like this: High mass requires low compliance, low mass makes it possible to benefit from high compliance.

Read more about cartridge and tonearm systems resonance frequency and learn how to calculate compatibility of the system here.

6. Why should you use a dedicated mono cartridge for playing vinyl mono records?

On a mono record the signal is cut only in the lateral dimension whereas a stereo record is cut at +/- 45 degrees into the opposing groove-walls, see the below figure:

A stereo cartridge will be able to replay stereo and mono records, because mono is a special version of stereo where the right and left channels are identical. While a stereo cartridge can play mono records it can’t achieve the same signal precision between the two channels. A mono cartridge produces one signal that is directed to both channels in the system. A mono cartridge playing a mono record produces a more forceful and stable image with a fuller, more impactful sound.

Another big advantage in using a mono cartridge to play mono records is the absence of response to vertical movement. This means that a mono cartridge is basically immune to the pinching effect which comes into action when the stylus is pushed vertically upward in very narrow grooves. Also the response to dust, dirt and wear is reduced substantially. The final result will be a clean and noiseless reproduction of the mono record.

The listening experience will be significantly improved when using a high quality True Mono cartridge for the replay of your mono records.

How to counteract ground loop when using dual-mono type phono stages:
1. Use only one side of the phono stage input, and put a Y-cable on a single one of the phono stage’s outputs, so that the mono signal can be split into 2 channels. That way, there’s only 1 path to ground.
2. If the phono stage has a ground lift setting, then use it.
3. Use a phono stage which is not dual mono topology.

Read more about Ortofon Mono cartridges range here.

7. Why use a transformer?

Step-Up Transformers (SUT) are a serious option for anyone who owns a Moving Coil (MC) cartridge, one that can significantly improve both the sound quality and sonic character.  Quite simply, a good transformer is the best way to audition an MC cartridge with the highest performance possible.

Since the output of MC cartridges is lower than that of a Moving Magnet (MM), higher gain is required to utilize them, such as that provided by SUTs or MC phono preamplifiers.  Although both devices provide this requirement, both are fundamentally different in function and in sonic character.  This is where SUTs are frequently seen as superior; they are completely passive and offer exceptional noise performance and sound quality.

This is due to the fact that the structure of harmonic and intermodulation distortion is fundamentally different between MC-preamps and SUTs. While an MC pre-amplifier has a constant resistive input impedance, an SUT has an input impedance that is frequency dependent. The harmonic distortion produced by SUTs is highest at the lowest frequencies and drops as the frequency rises, whereas in most MC preamps the distortion increases as the frequency rises.  Combined with significantly lower Intermodulation Distortion (IMD), the sound produced with an SUT will be much more open, dynamic, spacious, and natural.

Offering compatibility with most Moving Coil cartridges, Ortofon transformers will enhance the performance of any low output, low impedance MC cartridge.

8. Principles of operation: Moving Magnet vs Moving Coil

The Moving Magnet fundamental principle of operation comprises the effect caused by the movements of the stylus in a magnetic field, generating a current in the nearby coils. Here, the magnetic field emanates from a tiny, fixed magnet that is fastened to the remote end of the cantilever.
When the magnet is set into motion, which occurs when the stylus follows the modulations of the record groove, the magnetic field through the coils changes, and electrical voltages are generated in these coils. 
Although a moving magnet cartridge uses tiny, powerful magnet on the cantilever, the weight of the magnet will still be a strain on the cantilever, increasing its mass and reducing its ability to react precisely to transients in the music.

The reverse principle is applied to the Moving Coil cartridges. Here, a powerful fixed magnet is used and the coils are mounted on the cantilever itself. When the coils move in the field of the magnet, they cut the flux lines of the magnet and voltages are generated in the coils.
Moving Coil cartridges provide greater linearity and lower distortion.