Is elliptical the best stylus profile

Dear tzh21y, I think most of us would agree that cartridges bearing elliptical styli are less fussy to set up and enjoy, but that is not what the hobby is about, for most of us. Most audiophiles want "better".  If X is good, then what is better?  So, there will always be a place for elliptical styli on midrange and budget brand cartridges, but likewise there will always be a market for the more sophisticated stylus shapes, on upscale cartridges.  There really is no conflict.  If you like elliptical styli, you are free to enjoy cartridges that use them.  High end cartridges bearing complex-shaped styli will also continue to be marketed just because audiophiles can be or are convinced that the sound reproduction thereby achieved is at least a little bit better.  That's capitalism.

Dear tzh21y, I think most of us would agree that cartridges bearing elliptical styli are less fussy to set up and enjoy, but that is not what the hobby is about, for most of us. Most audiophiles want "better". If X is good, then what is better? So, there will always be a place for elliptical styli on midrange and budget brand cartridges, but likewise there will always be a market for the more sophisticated stylus shapes, on upscale cartridges. There really is no conflict. If you like elliptical styli, you are free to enjoy cartridges that use them. High end cartridges bearing complex-shaped styli will also continue to be marketed just because audiophiles can be or are convinced that the sound reproduction thereby achieved is at least a little bit better. That’s capitalism.

I agree Lewn.
We all want X , being a good sounding product(system) for the dollars we output.
Difference is many of us will go to our own personal Z to look for the best while it seems more these days seem stuck on the "Y" than in the past when it comes to vinyl playback. I think its the lack of knowledge in general for vinyl playback/setup
compared to digital and the level of quality vs. cost that differs the two.
Vinyl is expensive to get the best and to get it right and to maintain let alone
own a good stock of media. The fact more are getting back, or entering into
vinyl is likely the biggest reason for all the questioning of, and on, all things related
to it, but , it really is the simplicity of capitalism that offers choice.
Choice is good , .............................. knowledge and ability is king

Dear @chakster : The VE information is what theory says and things are not so easy as we can think because what @tzh21y posted:


"  it seems that elliptical shaped stylus track better "   "  tracks amazing on older records ...""

For me cartridge tracking abilities is one of the main desirable characteristic in any cartridge design and depends not exactly on the stylus shape. If it's true that the line contact different versions can pick up more information or at least with more precission it depends to pick up that groove information of the overall tracking abilities of that cartridge and this depends of the cartridge overall design not the stylus shape. Yes, the stylus shape can help a little about but it's not the main premise for those abilities.
The other main subject as some of you already posted is the precision of the cartridge/tonearm/TT set up.

The cartridge quality performance depends on the overall design  where the stylus shape is only one ( not the main. ) characteristic.


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

@rauliruegas i have no problem to use nearly all of them, but for some reason the most impressive carts are not with elliptical diamonds (and not with a conical). Some elliptical are very good like the Pioneer PC-1000 mkII, Victor X-1 IIE or those top Technics we have discussed million times. Nothing really wrong with an elliptical, but it's easy to compare many styli with such carts like Grace Level II or F-14, they made many variations (different cantilevers, different diamonds).