Is elliptical the best stylus profile

mijostyn

Any 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. 

mijostyn

In 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.

Surely the best stylus profile is the stylus profile you like best.  Hard to see any reason to make it more complicated than that.
Sure, tracking *might* be a slight factor, but like mijostyn says above it's hard to find a modern cartridge which doesn't track quite well or better.  I suppose if you play the Telarc 1812 every other day it could conceivably be a significant issue, but I'd happily put a good few quid on 95%+ of all tracking problems being down to bad set-up or a mismatched tonearm/cartridge combination.

agrippa

Sure, tracking *might* be a slight factor, but like mijostyn says above it's hard to find a modern cartridge which doesn't track quite well or better.

That depends on what you mean by "doesn't track quite well." If you're stating that most modern cartridges will stay in the LP groove, I'd agree with you. If you mean most modern cartridges can sail through things like all six tracking bands on the Shure V15 Type V Audio Obstacle Course LP, I'd disagree, based on my own experience.

In fact, Shure pressed those LPs specifically to show the tracking limitations of its competition, and some have not improved much - or at all - since.