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Influence of stylus shapes on distortion

Hi,
since we do all things analogue, I think stylus-shape, round, eliptical, fine-line, etc. is yet another salient subject.
At least according to some experts it has quite some influence on play-back distortion --- as well as related criticality of 'the perfect' alignment set-up.

I'm sure Raul with his experience of MMs from some earlier vintage might be of help to gain some insight on this subject.

Greetings,
Axel
axelwahl
axelwahl OP
788 posts
 
Hi Raul,
you say:
>>> Axel, do you realy want a true precise/absolute answer or only to have an idea <<<

This sounds like bad some rhetoric to me, as you know that we can't have any enquiry -- "true precise/absolute" -- according to scientific method proper in this forum, or?

So then I say: I just want to have an idea... so then that's just pie in the sky.
I might as well have a cup of coffee rather, hm.

In any event, experiment (listening in this case) always precedes scientific explanation(s). Part of my method, go call me on it.
So there might just be some members that have experiences to share, which might be helpful.
I trust my ears first, and scientific examinations after that. This by the way includes all kinds of measurements. Measurements are facts, but facts seldom tell the whole truth. Measurements need to be interpreted, that's where the truth often misses out.

So, in case your question was truely NOT rhetorical, and you want to share your own listening experiences --- this was the place meant to do it.
Could get interesting for some 'end-user' sharing his impressions with e.g. a 'cart-designer'.

Greetings,
Axel
rauliruegas
13,129 posts
 
Dear Axel: No it is not rhetorical. I already posted my " ideas ".

The point, I think must be critical for cartridge/stylus designers. I can tell you that when we ( Guillermo and I ) will in deep in our cartridge design ( we are on the first steps now. ) some way or the other we will make the research about till our resources permit.
Maybe some one already do it and I hope that could share with the audio community.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
axelwahl OP
788 posts
 
Hi Raul,
thanks, I'm genuinely relieved. But as you can see, the way to ask a question can create a sort of "idea" already.
So, I guess you are on the same page, that useful findings (trial & error, experiment, listening) CAN help, as in your case with a design. In some other case to help make up your mind on which cart to spend your money. We still will have to synthesise different inputs, but at lease we precede from a more informed position, that's my idea.

I just had a case were some SPICE model of frequency / impedance behaviour of a crossover tells a 'scientific' fact. As it turned out there where yet some more facts not considered i.e. not known/noted/perceived. Now we add those into the mix and EVERYTHING changed, so we a a new fact.
I'm not going to bother you with the details. But the ear was NOT fooled, it was in fact the one that made use look everything over. So once again scientific explanation followed experiment i.e. the listening experiment.

I guess you are not a liberty to share your design ideas, that is a pity, but I guess understandable.

Thanks,
Axel
PS: I have a notion that some of this bantering that went on some other related threads, ticked off some valuable contributor, that would be a great pity. So let's see what gives...
emailists
923 posts
 
I have posted about this briefly in another thread. The Soundsmith Strain Gauge cart system allows one to interchange different stylus profiles within a few seconds. Changing between the Optimized Contour and Nude Line contact styli with the same cart is extremely revealing of the different ways the stylus contact the groove wall.

Now before I continue, I must state that I have now transitioned from mere audiophile hobbyist, to being a dealer for a few brands, the Strain Gauge being one of them.

With the Optimized contour, you literally feel like you are riding down that canyon of LP groove - there is so much information and intimacy.

But this is obviously for LP's in good shape. Groove damage is evident.

Switching to the nude line contact glosses over some of the information, but sometimes this is quite a blessing. With less than ideal LP's (both noisy used LP's and poorer recordings) at times this profile can be more musical.

So to answer the question posed by this thread, I feel that on certain LP's yes, going to less of an extreme profile can result in lower distortion. But on the majority of LPs in good shape, I prefer the Optimized Contour and am not getting distortion.
axelwahl OP
788 posts
 
Excellent Emailists!

Thank you. That's the sort of feedback that is of interest.

You mention stylus swapping, which sounds like MM, is that the case - just to know for interest?

Raul, his holding some of this information off, I think :-)
He has loads of MM experience and with these styli, swapping is quite easy. I hope he is going to give us some of this sort of insight as well.

Many thanks,
Axel
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