Is elliptical the best stylus profile

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). 

My favorite mc cartridge for years was the GAS Sleeping Beauty Super Elliptical ($200 in 1977!). Great sound for years until the suspension failed! I recently purchased a Coral 777 (used) to replace it (same cartridge as the SB). Still one of the best overlooked bargains!

After the SB died I bought a Fidelity Research FR1mk3F (line contact stylus). Again, great sound (and a forgotten classic -$230 in 1980!).

The problem with all MC pickups is that you can't quickly check the same cartridge with a different stylus profile for comparison like you can do with MM to make sure what is the best sounding stylus shape. It's important to listen to the same cartridge on the same toneam, but with different stylus profile (or maybe even different cantilevers). Surely we can retip MCs with a beter profiles, but how can we actually compare them after it was away for 5 month at least (typical turnaround with any retiper) ?  

P.S. the FR-1 mk3F is not forgotten, dealers still fooling people around with a statement that it is a non integrated version of the venerable FR-7F, but it's not true.