I am probably crazy for jumping into this conversation, but boldly going in; there is a lot conversation with a lot of experience on this subject, but from a engineering perspective, actual analysis can be pretty light, and the accuracy of vendor data often a best guess.
For the mechanical resonance issue, this article that you can download is a good detailed explanation: "On The Mechanics of Tone Arms" Dick Pierce Professional Audio Development, Jan-05. But, it also begs the question - how does each vendor measure and report mechanical compliances. Recently I was reviewing test data for some cartridges, and a noted vendor reported a cartridge compliance of 16, but when tested, it measured 23; that can be a big difference. And, depending on your particular setup, the tonearm compliance can be different from the vendor data. If, you are 9-10Hz calculated, then you have a pretty good margin for error. But, if you are at the margins, maybe not; so a test record to verify is recommended. Unfortunately, electrical can be a bit more complicated.
For the electrical resonance/loading issue, this article on TNT http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/load_the_magnets_e.html; does a closed loop electrical analysis, but then shows by testing that the actual measured results do not follow the simple electrical closed loop model. However, this article "NEW FACTORS IN PHONOGRAPH PREAMPLIFIER DESIGN" TOMLINSON HOLMAN, 1975, clearly addresses multiple pre-amp design factors that can effect the overall cartridge-preamp performance; so the skill of the pre-amp designer and the pre-amp has a lot bearing. Add to this, that the vendor reported cartridge data may not be correct. When I was reviewing test data for some cartridges, a noted vendor reports a cartridge output voltage of 5.5mV, but it measured 10mV; that is a big difference.
In summary, and somewhat amusingly, here we are in the 21st century, all full of metrics and big-data, and we are still trying to predict with accuracy how an over half-century technology will perform. So, with the data we have, we take our best guess as to what will work. But, in the absence of actual integrated data - cartridge-tonearm-cable-preamp, which is surprisingly limited, we are still left just listening to the music; and making adjustments and decisions based on what sounds best. An imperfect system that with patience can produce near perfect sound, one of those "freakin" miracles :).
For the mechanical resonance issue, this article that you can download is a good detailed explanation: "On The Mechanics of Tone Arms" Dick Pierce Professional Audio Development, Jan-05. But, it also begs the question - how does each vendor measure and report mechanical compliances. Recently I was reviewing test data for some cartridges, and a noted vendor reported a cartridge compliance of 16, but when tested, it measured 23; that can be a big difference. And, depending on your particular setup, the tonearm compliance can be different from the vendor data. If, you are 9-10Hz calculated, then you have a pretty good margin for error. But, if you are at the margins, maybe not; so a test record to verify is recommended. Unfortunately, electrical can be a bit more complicated.
For the electrical resonance/loading issue, this article on TNT http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/load_the_magnets_e.html; does a closed loop electrical analysis, but then shows by testing that the actual measured results do not follow the simple electrical closed loop model. However, this article "NEW FACTORS IN PHONOGRAPH PREAMPLIFIER DESIGN" TOMLINSON HOLMAN, 1975, clearly addresses multiple pre-amp design factors that can effect the overall cartridge-preamp performance; so the skill of the pre-amp designer and the pre-amp has a lot bearing. Add to this, that the vendor reported cartridge data may not be correct. When I was reviewing test data for some cartridges, a noted vendor reports a cartridge output voltage of 5.5mV, but it measured 10mV; that is a big difference.
In summary, and somewhat amusingly, here we are in the 21st century, all full of metrics and big-data, and we are still trying to predict with accuracy how an over half-century technology will perform. So, with the data we have, we take our best guess as to what will work. But, in the absence of actual integrated data - cartridge-tonearm-cable-preamp, which is surprisingly limited, we are still left just listening to the music; and making adjustments and decisions based on what sounds best. An imperfect system that with patience can produce near perfect sound, one of those "freakin" miracles :).
