Direct Drive vs. Idler Drive vs. Belt drive

Addendum. Some examples can illustrate some ''state of
affairs''. Say the question why Russians think that Hegel is
the most important philosopher? Because of his (dialectic)
Logic? Well he wrote an big book (in two parts) with more
than 1000 pages with the title '' The science of logic'' in
which there is no on single sentence relevant for modern
logic. 
 

What has Hegel and Aristoteles to do with our forum?
We have seen Aristoteles  ''essential properties'' but need
to add Hegels ''logical invention'' called ''the unity of the
contradictory''.
According to chakster  the micro ridge stylus is ''essential''
while our eloquent member from Australia was so impressed
with his Sony XL 88 D that he declared the precious  to be the
best ever (in his) collection. He ascribed this ''quality'' to the 
(diamond) cantilever but the case is that this cart has  elliptical
 stylus. Aluminum cantilevers? Are you joking ? Never heard about 
beryllium or ,at least, boron or ruby cantilevers ? But the same
person ''confessed'' that among his darlings belong FR-7 fz as
well Takeda's Miyabi. Both with aluminum cantilevers. 
Such, according to modern logic inconsistent statements, can be
found in nearly each thread. That is the ''connection''. 
 
. 

lewm,
i love complexity! It needs to be handled and somehow in price not overloaded. Without complexity in the turntable/tonearm/headshell/cart/SUT/phonopre issues what would we do in our hobby?
Also a compressor is something you can handle easily today, nevertheless I understand people not getting into it.

best
E

Nandric you hoping for enlightenment in this industry is interesting.  You have more self appointed experts who can not agree on anything.  The basic hasty generalization is also king.  So I guess the questions are:

1. Rigid or flexible
2. Light vs heavy
3. Drain or reflect
4. Damped vs undamped
5. Resistance vs No resistance
6. Silver vs copper
7. Wood vs metals vs carbon fiber vs etc..
8. Arm pods vs direct connection
9. Motor pods vs direct connection
10. Sand vs rubber vs springs vs air vs etc.
11.  Straight vs curved
12.  Over hang vs under hung
13.  Antiskate vs no antiskate
14.  Vta adjustment vs no vta adjustment
15.  Azimuth vs no azimuth adjustment
16. Etc...................

Anyone that is good with numbers realizes how many possibilities there are just with the above variables.  Throw into the mix how many of the judges have any musical background and we're any good to start with.  Do you think the reviewers where hired because they could hear or write.  Magazines survived because of ad revenue or educational awards.  

I will leave you with a question.  If Miles Davis was alive would he be interested in the tone and feel of the instrument or the detail and air???

Enjoy the ride
Tom

According to chakster the micro ridge stylus is ’’essential’’
while our eloquent member from Australia was so impressed
with his Sony XL 88 D that he declared the precious to be the
best ever (in his) collection. He ascribed this ’’quality’’ to the
(diamond) cantilever but the case is that this cart has elliptical
stylus. Aluminum cantilevers? Are you joking ? Never heard about
beryllium or ,at least, boron or ruby cantilevers ? But the same
person ’’confessed’’ that among his darlings belong FR-7 fz as
well Takeda’s Miyabi. Both with aluminum cantilevers.
Such, according to modern logic inconsistent statements, can be
found in nearly each thread. That is the ’’connection’’.

Very interesting, indeed @nandric

One of the simplest stylus (Elliptical on one of the most exotic cantilever (Diamond, gemstone cantilever) - this is SONY

On the other side is pretty simple Aluminum cantilever with advanced stylus tip such as Refined Contact (on FR-7fz) and PH Semi Line Contact tip (on Miyabi MCA).

What we have here is an extreme on both ends:

1) better cantilever, but simplest diamond
2) better diamonds, but simplest cantilever

But both cartridges as LOMC, so we have something in common here. But at the same time we’re comparing apples to oranges, because those cartridges are different and designed by different people with different concept in mind.

I think people who love to "upgrade" their LOMC with help of some re-tippers could change cantilever on FR or Miyabi, they could also change stylus tip on SONY.

What i can do with my MM cartridges like my favorite Grace LEVEL II or f14 is to swap all kind of original styli designed with different cantilevers and diamons by Grace in the 80’s

I can compare simples and advanced design on the same cartridge body as LEVEL II LC-OFC , i could add nearly all combinations in existence such as Aluminum/Elliptical, Aluminum/LineContact, Aluminum/MicroRidge or Ruby/Elliptical, Sapphire/Elliptical or BoronPipe/MicroRidge .... also some great styli with Beryllium and even with Ceramic cantilevers with stylus tip i can’t describe accurately, because i’m not sure. But all these coming from one manufacturer for one particular MM cartridge model (Grace LEVEL II). This is wonderful for our own research and testing at home, isn’t it ?

P.S. sorry guys for off-topic, it was just the answer