Ortofon Stylus 2M Blue Replacement Stylus

The Ortofon Stylus 2M Blue is the original replacement and upgrade stylus for the cartridges Ortofon 2M Blue and 2MR Blue (Rega) – a nude elliptical diamond as a plug-in unit.

Why the Stylus 2M Blue?

It's two things at once: a replacement, if your Blue stylus is worn – and an upgrade, if you want to move up from the Red (bonded elliptical diamond) to a nude elliptical diamond. "Nude" means less moving mass at the tip, faster response, more calm and detail. Plug on instead of installing: pull off the old stylus, attach the new one, done.

What you'll get

The 2M series' sweet-spot sound: more air and resolution than the Red, with an equally balanced tonal foundation. Voices gain texture, cymbals decay naturally, fine spatial information becomes audible – and a fresh stylus also protects your vinyl.

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

Fits any 2M Blue and 2MR Blue body – and as an upgrade also fits a 2M/2MR Red, since Red and Blue use the same generator. Straight talk: the Blue stylus doesn't belong on Bronze/Black bodies; those play in the Bronze/Black/LVB 250 group.

Our verdict

The series' nude elliptical stylus: noticeably finer than the Red, replacement and upgrade in one. The easiest way to make a 2M Red or Blue sound better.

Technical specifications

• Type: Replacement/upgrade stylus (stylus unit) for Ortofon 2M Blue & 2MR Blue
• Stylus type: Nude Elliptical
• Tip radius: r/R 8/18 µm
• Frequency response: 20–20,000 Hz (+2 / −1 dB)
• Tracing ability (315 Hz): 80 µm
• Stylus compliance: 20 µm/mN
• Equivalent tip mass: 0.5 mg
• Recommended tracking force: 1.8 g (1.6–2.0 g)
• Tracking angle: 20°
• Interchangeable within: 2M Red / 2M Blue (upgrade over Red)

Frequently asked questions

Does the Stylus 2M Blue also fit my 2M Red?

Yes. 2M Red and 2M Blue (and their 2MR versions) use the same generator, so the styli are interchangeable. Plugging a Blue stylus onto a Red body sonically gives you a 2M Blue – without a new cartridge.

What does the Blue bring compared with the Red?

The diamond is nude instead of bonded. That lowers the moving mass, so the stylus reads out the groove more finely and calmly: more detail, cleaner highs, more space – without becoming analytical.

How do I care for the Stylus 2M Blue properly?

Brush the stylus dry with a soft stylus brush from back to front before playback – never touch the diamond with your finger. That keeps the tracking clean, and clean records protect it further. Ortofon states around 1,000 playing hours for the 2M series before a change.

Why buy the Stylus 2M Blue at HD Zürisee?

Because we'll tell you whether the step from Red to Blue is worthwhile for you – and what to watch for when swapping the stylus. Genuine Ortofon, advised by Andy and Mauri, at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.

Goes well with

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