Arguable the ''best shape'' is Van den Hul (aka Gyger I). Van den
Hul designed this stylus for Gyger but with stipulation to sell
them also under his own name. Hoever his first design was very
difficult to produce (polishing) so he designed Gyger II and
Gyger S(?) ; the latest Gyger stylus. The respective dimensions
are published by van den Hul. He claimed 5000 hour use for the
Gyger I.
|
I think rauliruegas has the best handle on this subject. Any cartridge is going to sound better when it is set up properly. Tracking is paramount. The overall sound quality is determined by the design of the cartridge and the manufacturer’s attention to detail. Very tiny detail.
Setting up a turntable is not rocket science. Some of us do not want to be bothered so hopefully they have a tech who can do it for them. But I think nobody does it better with more loving care than yourself.
|
mijostynAny cartridge is
going to sound better when it is set up properly. Obviously!Tracking is
paramount. Oh no, I couldn't disagree more.
I often read user comments here about phono cartridges that proclaim, "excellent tracker!" when, in fact, the cartridge can objectively be shown to be a poor tracker.
Tracking performance is properly assessed using a test record. That a cartridge will play an LP while also remaining in the groove is not sufficient evidence that the cartridge is a "good tracker." Any cartridge should be able to stay in the groove; it's low-distortion HF performance that defines the best tracking cartridges.
Some of the best tracking phono cartridges of all time are also considered by many to have mediocre sound quality. The Shure V-15 V is a good example of that. Yes, some audiophiles love that cartridge! But there are good reasons why many audiophiles don't, and perhaps that explains (in part) why Shure left the cartridge business even as many of its cartridge competitors have thrived.
|
I forgot. In terms of record wear there are other variables than stylus profile like compliance and tracking force. Styli with larger contact patches are a benefit given the same VTF. SRA and azimuth have an influence but not as much as you would think as long as they are within reason. I think they are more important for separation and high frequency performance. Today’s cartridges are significantly superior to the ones we had in the 60s and 70s particularly when it comes to build quality. It is hard to find one that is objectionable. We really are talking about nuances.
|
mijostynIn terms of record wear there are other variables than stylus profile like compliance and tracking force. How could a phono cartridge's compliance have any affect on record wear? I don't see any correlation between the two at all.
|
