Influence of stylus shapes on distortion

Hi Larryi,
well said, and exactly my very own experience also.
A 0.3mm change in VTA makes a difference (as I mentioned in a reated thread) --- but should that be so critical?!
It makes a case for non-optimal VTA for many another record, depending on thickness.

I have a suspicion that neither elliptical nor round styli will behave that way, plus the possibility of a more 'pleasant' distortion behaviour as eluded to above. Have we pushed the envelope too far in search of ultimate resolution?
What would JC have to say to this heretical thought?

Best regards,
Axel

How does the shape of the diamond affect the amount of surface noise we hear?

Headsnappin,

Often, it is a big factor, particularly with used records. When records are played and damaged by a stylus, that damage tends to be located at a certain depth of groove. Another stylus that rides at a different height may avoid the damaged area.

One would expect that profiles that fit the whole groove more tightly, like the microridge and other narrow profiles with a wide vertical contact patch would be more prone to noise (cover a larger area that could be damaged, reaches toward the bottom of the groove where dirt collects). But, I have found that not to be the case in practice. Most of the better narrow profile styli cartridges I've used are LESS prone to picking up surface noise. Is this because of the profile or is it because better cartridges do a better job of controlling resonance, or some other factor? I have no idea. I just know that noise is less of an issue for me with the micro-ridge type of cartriges I've used.

Hi,
some ideas goes like this:
The SMALLER the stylus the more it would use information deeper down in the groove and more away from the surface damage.

Additionally a smaller stylus has less weight = less inertia = better tracking.

It also goes like this:
A smaller stylus goes deeper into the groove and picks up more debris at the bottom where some less 'pointy' one never gets in the first place and therefore produce less groove noise...

Want to take your pick?

Also, a sharper / fine line et al, stylus seems a lot more critical to set-up than round or elliptical one. BUT it will retrieve more detail to the point where VTA gets more critical in terms of the treble getting more ahead in time by a steeper angle (lifting the arm base) or more delayed in time by lowering it, thereby producing the difference in sound one can hear.

Again I'm sure JC can shine some light on this, since I speak under correction here.

Best regards,
Axel

Dear Axel: Everyone can have its own " ideas " about as are their know-how and experiences on the subject.

In your thread you want to " aisle " the stylus shape against distortion and here like in other audo devices the stylus shape is not an aisle factor, there are several other factors that contribute directly/inderectly to that distortions, so in someways is useless.

IMHO I think that the only way to realy satisfy our curiosity on the subject will be to make distortion measures everything the same but the stylus shape.
From what I know ( maybe I'm wrong ) those kind of " scientific " studie does not exist ( even with cartridge/stylus designers. At least no one that I know publish on the subject. ) yet and IMHO only this precise information realy can help to fulfil our curiosity about.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.