Home Vinyl Asylum

Welcome Licorice Pizza (LP) lovers! Setup guides and Vinyl FAQ.

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ Vinyl Asylum ]
[ Alert Moderator ]

RE: mm cartridges..elliptical stylus replacement

In general, yes, the more advanced types do potentially sound quieter etc. However, the caveat is that you get the HTA and SRA "optimally" aligned. If anything is "off" including azimuth and antiskate, then you may find them disappointing. The longer the contact line (e.g Paratrace or Replicant 100), the more critical the alignment. If you don't have VTA optimally set, then during mistracking, you are likely to do more damage to the groove than with an elliptical even taking into account the increase in pressure with an elliptical cut. Shibata tips have a curving contact line and can be very tricky to optimally align for SRA since the cut is made such that the shank/tip axis is NOT the same as the actual effective rake angle. You have to take it on faith somewhat that the tip was correctly mounted. Personally I wouldn't choose a Shibata tip. However, others on the forum seem to like it.

If you do have the tools to accurately set up your alignment and ensure your records are clean before play, then a line contact stylus is the way to go - a SoundSmith OLC will sound wonderful (I had a DL160 retipped with this). However, it is EXTREMELY fussy of alignment!
Personally I like Microline or Paratrace (which is similar if not the same cut as a VdH).

Regards Anthony

"Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty.." Keats

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  Kimber Kable  

Follow Ups Full Thread
Follow Ups
FAQ

Post a Message!

 Forgot Password?
Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
  Remember my Moniker & Password  (What's this?)    Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:
Message:   (Posts are subject to Content Rules)
Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:  Automagically notify you when someone responds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]