Kuzma 4Points and Lyra carts

@herman thanks for the update. I’m sure that arm is a thing of beauty. I recently decided to go for the 4point 9.  This was ultimately a decision based on simplicity, synergy with my table and price.  $1250 less per inch! I went for the Cardas Clear from gold clips to ETI Kryo RCA. Ordered two extra headshells so I can more easily sway the Etna SL for the Sussurro and the A90.  I have experience with Clear wire so I know what it does in my system. Also, the dealer I’m working with informs me that it is Franc’s favorite tonearm wire. FWIW.
Should receive the arm sometime in mid July. I will also report back! Will be an interesting change from the Mørch DP8 which I have enjoyed for many years. 

FWIW, I tend to prefer 9” arms with advanced shaped styli and 12”+ with conical/spherical types.

The Denon 103(R) is a classic example that can easily “fall off the sibilant cliff” past the 2nd null point on a short arm.

Dear @boothroyd :  The 103R is a low compliance cartridge and what you experienced with could be generated for that compliance and depends too of the tonearm quality in what is mounted and its alignment set up as its playing hours time.

I own some medium/high compliance cartridges ( MM/LOMC ) and comes to my memory the Fulton blue that's a medium complaince LOMC cartridge and never had that problem with 9" tonearms.

So, for me what you posted is not necessary a spherical stylus tip characteristic.

R.

Spherical/Conical tip still in use by professionals because it’s more forgiving to tonearm adjustment errors. This is the only benefit of this type of stylus shape. In other words: if your tonearm (or cartridge in the headshell ) can’t be adjusted properly for some reason then only conical tip is optimal for such arm. 
On any other tonearm (adjusted properly) for specific cartridge , the music flow is much better with advanced stylus profile. Practically it is better, because the life span is at least 4 times longer and record wear factor is so much lower since the weight distributed over the larger groove contact area. The quality is better, resolution is higher, tracking ability is better. 

But personal taste is personal taste, some people enjoy gramophone sound with steel needle.