Direct Drive vs. Idler Drive vs. Belt drive

agree Lewm!
i should send you a compressor, no? 🤣

best
E.

Our dear member whom we assumed to be an ''former member'' is
back. Welcome back thuchan!
Lew congratulation with your new compressor. 
 

Touche'!!

Re Sony XL88D

Chakster

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. 

This is of course nonsense. Developed around 1980 the Sony XL88D had a "super elliptical" stylus profile. It was much sharper and finer profile than any off the shelf elliptical at the time. This is the danger of speculating about what not you know. How do I know - it was mounted on my turntable, spankers new in 1983. The Sony was developed and released just prior to the development and availability of the microridge profile. Great cartridge.

Sony subsequently used the microridge stylus profile on the XL55ProII released in 1984 and a few other cartridges they released from 84 onwards to the early 90's

By the way the diamond cantilever and stylus on the XL88D are cut from one piece - it is not possible to retip as suggested.

This is of course nonsense. Developed around 1980 the Sony XL88D had a "super elliptical" stylus profile.

@dover
Good point, because advanced cartridge design should not be mated with conventional elliptical stylus, i don’t own 88D, never tried.

Super Elliptical ot Hyper Elliptical is what i have on various cartridges including SONY XL50 MM (on boron pipe cantilever), there was XL70 MM that someone selling on ebay now. Super Elliptical stylus as you can see, same profile as on 88D, good to know.

How would you describe Super Elliptical, it’s LineContact i believe (not MR) ?

By the way the diamond cantilever and stylus on the XL88D are cut from one piece - it is not possible to retip as suggested.

Right, nice to look at (in the display case). When diamond is worn it’s gone (or cut and glue, retippers normally breaking the rules).