Ortofon Stylus 2M 78 Replacement Stylus

The Ortofon Stylus 2M 78 is the original replacement stylus for the shellac cartridges Ortofon 2M 78 and 2MR 78 (Rega) – a spherical stylus as a plug-in unit, made for 78 rpm shellac records.

Why the Stylus 2M 78?

Shellac records have a noticeably wider groove than vinyl. The spherical stylus with its large tip radius (R 65 µm) sits correctly in it and picks up the music instead of the groove floor – together with the body's mono generator, that means less rumble and crackle. If the stylus is worn, this stylus unit brings your 2M 78 back to factory condition without any tool drama.

What you'll get

Shellacs that sound like music again instead of a frying pan: body, directness and a quieter background. And a fresh, correctly sized stylus protects your historic pressings from unnecessary wear.

Who's the Stylus 2M 78 for – and who isn't it for?

Fits the 2M 78 and 2MR 78 body and requires a turntable that spins at 78 rpm. Straight talk: for normal 33/45 rpm vinyl it's the wrong stylus – the thick 65 µm tip doesn't run cleanly in the fine vinyl groove. For mono vinyl, the Stylus 2M Mono (R 18 µm) is the one you want; both belong to the same mono group but are ground differently.

Our verdict

The right stylus to keep a shellac collection sounding good on the 2M 78 – as a pure stylus replacement. A specialist with a clear job, easily reordered.

Technical specifications

• Type: Replacement stylus (stylus unit) for Ortofon 2M 78 & 2MR 78 (shellac)
• Stylus type: Spherical
• Tip radius: R 65 µm
• Frequency response: 20–20,000 Hz (+3 / −1 dB)
• Tracing ability (315 Hz): 70 µm
• Stylus compliance: 18 µm/mN
• Recommended tracking force: 1.8 g (1.6–2.0 g)
• Tracking angle: 20°
• Related group: 2M Mono / 2M 78 (different tip radius)

Frequently asked questions

Does the Stylus 2M 78 fit my 2M or 2MR 78?

Yes. The Stylus 2M 78 fits the 2M 78 and the 2MR 78 (Rega). It uses the body's mono generator and is ground specifically for the wide groove of 78 rpm shellac records.

Do I need a special turntable for the 78 rpm stylus?

You need a deck that spins at 78 rpm – not every modern turntable can do that. Without 78 rpm speed, even the best shellac stylus is useless. Tell us your model and we'll tell you whether it's 78-capable.

Does the stylus wear faster with shellac?

Yes, shellac is more abrasive than vinyl and stresses the stylus more. Brush it dry from back to front with a soft brush and keep your records as clean as possible. Check the tip regularly – a worn stylus damages your often rare 78s irreversibly.

Why buy the Stylus 2M 78 at HD Zürisee?

Because shellac playback demands experience – from the right deck to a mono-capable preamp. Genuine Ortofon, with advice from Andy and Mauri, at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.

Goes well with

Goes well with: matching Turntable Accessories, the right Record Cleaning, and everything around Vinyl.