Stylus Rake Angle

None of you explained the mechanism, only why it is a good thing. I agree it is a good thing. After thinking about it last night (what I do in the dark before sleep), I decided maybe it has to do with how music is encoded in the groove vis how the stylus contacts the groove and is thus able to translate physical undulations in the groove into an audio signal. The relation between the stylus geometry and those undulations might be the critical factor. I could imagine how that might effect what some would call "timing". But I don't think it's really timing by the formal definition of same.

Also, I commend you (plural) and anyone else who can confidently distinguish first order harmonic tones from the fundamental. As a (part-time amateur) singer, I can tell you that is no easy thing even in a live venue. The brain doesn't really care a lot about that first octave of tonal difference. (Why sometimes if my pianist starts out an octave too high, I will go right along with him, until I realize that the high notes are going to be out of my vocal range.)

Good 'transient' performance is always easily distinguishable from poor transient performance. It really is the final goal and distinguishable difference we hear when successfully correcting set-up errors. It's not a matter of our ability to isolate first order harmonics when timing is right. It's a matter of the natural ability of our brain to recognize when it's not. It's when we hear the difference that we then recognize correct timing in comparison.

Yes, but "timing" per se is the job of the turntable. The turntable provides the "X-axis" for the music, which is time. Who could argue that correct time is not important? Not me.

Stringreen. I know what your problem is. It's the Vandersteens!

Mr. M.... what is the problem that is caused by the Vandersteens?