Influence of stylus shapes on distortion

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.

Raul,
please explain...
>>> 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<<<

aisle = gangway, passageway, walkway
aisle factor = ?
What exactly you actually try to say?

As to having --- own "ideas" based on ones knowledge and experience ---- isn't that what gaining 'understanding' is all about?
Unless we subscribe to the higher wisdom of such as the inquisition did. (Even they enquired as their name suggested, whether that added to their knowledge and experience is a story different entirely)
Greetings,
Axel

Dear Axel: That there are other several factors that contribute to distortions related with the stylus shape.

Now, I posted: " 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. "

This coud be the only way to have aisle the stylus shape subject.

+++++ " As to having --- own "ideas" based on ones knowledge and experience ---- isn't that what gaining 'understanding' is all about? " +++++

in this case an according with the thread title it is not enough we have to measure those distortions that comes from the sole stylus shape differences, well at least is the way I understand that: but you are your own boss.

Axel, do you realy want a true precise/absolute answer or only to have an idea?, what do you want?

Anyway that's my point of view.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul..