Ortofon

Ortofon

The oldest brand we stock and the name most vinyl listeners already trust. Cartridges spanning a first serious upgrade through to genuine high end, still made in Denmark.

About Ortofon

Est. 1918
Nakskov, Denmark
107 Years
Continuous Production
Since 2019
Stocked by FutureShop
50+
Products
First Cartridge
1948
Cartridges . Styli . Headshells . Accessories
Product Types

A century of Ortofon, from film sound to cartridges

Ortofon started in 1918 as Fonofilm Industri, working on sound for cinema. The move into record playback came later, and in 1948 the company produced the first commercially available moving coil cartridge. The MC principle is now used by most high-end cartridge makers, and it originated here.

That continuity is the point. Very few audio companies have been making the same category of product, in the same country, for more than a hundred years. It shows in how the range is laid out: methodically, with each step doing one identifiable thing, and with replacement styli and parts supported far longer than the industry norm.

Manufacturing is still in Nakskov. Cartridge assembly is close work, done by hand under magnification, and Ortofon train their own assemblers rather than buying finished generators in. Alongside that hand work sits Selective Laser Melting, a process Ortofon pioneered for cartridge bodies, welding fine particles of titanium or steel layer by layer into a single piece with no joints and precisely controlled density. The stylus profiles are their own too, including the Replicant 100, a line contact diamond cut to approximate the shape of the lathe stylus that cut the record in the first place.

Ortofon also make headshells, headshell leads, step-up transformers, alignment tools and cleaning products, which between them cover most of what sits around a cartridge.

4.95/5 from 20,702+ reviews Award Winning Dealer Since 2013 UK Specialist since 2005

24 of 58 products

  • Ortofon

    Ortofon Premium Libelle Spirit Level

    SKU: PREMIUMORTALIBELLE

    £45.83
    Ex. VAT

    The Ortofon Premium Libelle is a precision spirit level for turntables, offering a full 360-degree view with 1-degree accuracy, crafted from anodised aluminium with a wave-pattern grip surface and individually tested for measurement consistency.

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  • Ortofon

    Ortofon Record Stabilizer Heavy

    SKU: ORTARESTABH

    From
    £54.17
    Ex. VAT
    The Ortofon Record Stabilizer enhances vinyl playback by reducing vibration and improving sound clarity. Available in the Heavy version, it suits a wide range of turntables. With a satin matte anodized finish in Silver or Black and Ortofon’s signature textured wave-grip, it offers both performance and style. Simply place it on your record for a more refined listening experience.
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  • Ortofon

    Ortofon 2M Screws

    SKU: ORTASCREWS2M1

    £54.17
    Ex. VAT
    Secure your 2M cartridge with this premium screw set, designed for precise headshell mounting. Made from durable materials, these screws ensure stability, accurate alignment, and clear sound reproduction. Perfect for replacing worn hardware or installing a new cartridge, this set offers quick installation and reliable performance for vinyl lovers who want the best from their turntable.
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  • Ortofon

    Ortofon LH-2000 Headshell

    SKU: ORTAHSHLH2000A

    £58.33
    Ex. VAT

    The LH-2000 is a basic high quality headshell designed specifically for HiFi applications. Providing a clean, minimalist aesthetic, the LH-2000 is great for a wide variety of cartridges, e.g. the 2M Series.

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  • Ortofon

    Ortofon APJ-1 Optional Weight and Adaptor

    SKU: ORTAAPJ1A1

    £58.33
    Ex. VAT

    One of the main benefits of the APJ-1 is its ability to extend the length of an SPU A-shell model to the length of a standard SPU G cartridge model. This allows for a wider range of cartridge compatibility and versatility, as it can be used with various turntable models without the need for purchasing additional cartridges. This not only saves time and money but also ensures a seamless integration into any setup.

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  • Ortofon

    Ortofon Super OM 5E Moving Magnet Cartridge

    SKU: ORTOOM5SUPER1B

    £62.50
    Ex. VAT
    The Ortofon Super OM 5E is a high-precision moving magnet cartridge with superior tracking and clarity. Featuring an elliptical stylus, it follows grooves accurately, reducing distortion. The split-pole pin generator system extends frequency response for a balanced, natural sound. Its removable weight ensures compatibility with both standard and low-mass tonearms. With multiple stylus upgrade options, the Super OM 5E is a long-term solution for audiophiles seeking an enhanced vinyl experience.
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  • Ortofon

    Ortofon 2M Red Hi-Fi Turntable Cartridge

    SKU: ORTO2MRED1B

    (1 reviews)
    £70.83
    Ex. VAT

    Ortofon's 2M Red is an all-purpose cartridge designed to deliver an open, dynamic sound with a slight touch of warmth. The weight and dimensions of the 2M Red are optimised for the most common turntables, offering a wide range of compatibility. The 2M Red cartridge is built with ‘Hopelex’, an environmentally-friendly material ensuring high-rigidity while eliminating unwanted resonances. The cartridge stylus is a tipped elliptical diamond connected to split pole pins with copper wire. This offers a high level of sonic accuracy at an affordable price.

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  • Ortofon

    Ortofon 2MR Red Hi-Fi Turntable Cartridge

    SKU: ORTO2MREDR1

    £70.83
    Ex. VAT

    The new 2MR range of cartridges boasts all the features of the standard 2M range, but with a reduced ride height, making it compatible with popular tonearms and turntables that require a lower-profile cartridge.

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  • Ortofon

    Ortofon LH-4000 Headshell

    SKU: ORTAHSHLH4000A

    £70.83
    Ex. VAT
    The Ortofon LH-4000 headshell offers a minimalist design and dependable performance for HiFi turntables. Ideal for the MC Quintet series, it features color-coded terminals for easy installation and a secure fit with 1.0 mm pins. Perfect for audiophiles who want clean aesthetics and precise sound reproduction.
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  • Ortofon

    Ortofon LW-800S Headshell Wires - Pack of 4

    SKU: ORTAHEADSHELLCABLELW800S1

    £79.17
    Ex. VAT

    The LW-800S are the most sophisticated lead wires composed of pure silver and silver-coated wire. The nature of silver wire, silver-coated wire transmits the very clear high tone signals, it brings the brilliant tonality. The end of the wire is fastened by rhodium-plated terminal.

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  • Ortofon

    Ortofon LH-6000 Headshell

    SKU: ORTAHSHLH6000A

    £87.50
    Ex. VAT

    The LH-6000 is a high quality headshell is recommended for the MC Windfeld Ti and the Cadenza Series. Its rounded front portion facilitates proper mounting and compliments each of these cartridges.

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  • Ortofon

    Ortofon 2M 78 Hi-Fi Turntable Cartridge

    SKU: ORTOO2M78A1

    £99.17
    Ex. VAT

    Ortofon's 2M 78 allows for true mono playback of 78rpm shellac records on any stereo playback system. No requirement for mono-specific equipment when using Ortofons Mono cartridges. This is due to a strapped output within the cartridges that delivers the same output signal from both pole pins, resulting in a truly mono reproduction.

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Ortofon’s legacy spans over 100 years, and the brand is recognised for combining heritage with continuous innovation. Unlike many cartridge manufacturers, Ortofon designs and manufactures its products entirely in-house, ensuring precise tolerances and consistent quality. From entry-level to reference models, Ortofon cartridges are known for their musicality, reliability, and the ability to extract fine detail from vinyl records.

The Ortofon 2M Red is the ideal starting point for vinyl enthusiasts. Affordable yet highly capable, it delivers a lively, detailed sound that sets the benchmark at its price point. Its replaceable stylus makes upgrading or maintenance simple, making it a popular choice for first-time turntable owners.

In many cases, yes. The 2M series allows you to upgrade by simply changing the stylus. For example, a 2M Red owner can upgrade to a 2M Blue stylus on the same cartridge body, unlocking higher performance without replacing the full cartridge.

Proper alignment is key to getting the best from your Ortofon cartridge. Using a protractor or alignment tool ensures the stylus tracks the groove accurately, reducing distortion and record wear. Ortofon supplies alignment guides, and Future Shop also offers specialist tools to help achieve precise setup.

Most Ortofon cartridges follow the standard ½-inch mount, making them compatible with the majority of tonearms and turntables. However, some DJ-focused Ortofon Concorde cartridges use an integrated SME connector for direct plug-in compatibility with specific tonearms. Always check your tonearm type before choosing.

Yes. Like many high-fidelity components, Ortofon cartridges typically benefit from 20–50 hours of playback before they reach their optimal performance. During this period, the suspension loosens, improving tonal balance, dynamics, and detail retrieval.

Ortofon produces both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges. MM designs, like the 2M Series, are affordable, durable, and offer stylus replacement. MC cartridges, such as the Cadenza or Quintet ranges, deliver even higher fidelity but require specialist phono stages and cannot be user-retipped.

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