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Re: Stylus Shape: Spherical vs Elliptical?

"Conventional audiophile wisdom dictates that an elliptical stylus extracts more from the record groove than a spherical stylus. If you look at a micrograph of each stylus type in the groove, this makes sense."

Yes it does. There is a big difference. Some people can't hear the difference or prefer not to hear the details. Maybe the details bring out something in thier system they don't like hearing. Maybe thier system isn't capable of showing the difference. Who knows.

"However, since the performance of an elliptical stylus is directly dependent on VTA (or rather SRA), you encounter variablitiy in performance from records of different thicknesses. The elliptical stylus will emphasize highs in some cases (thin records) and bass in others (thick records). Some here on the forum actually note optimal VTA for each record they own, and set VTA when playing any record."

This is called obsessive compulsive disorder. Just kidding. I had this problem with my Goldring 1042. It seemed like every album I put on didn't sound quit right until I messed with the VTA. I think if someone has this problem they should try a new cart. My 10x5 and my retipped 103r is not like this. I set the VTA and don't feel a need to mess with it anymore. All my records sound good. If one doesn't it's because it's a bad pressing. When your talking about 120, 180 or 200g effecting the VTA or RA.. I don't think it's very much. As an experiment, take your arm and point your finger down at an angle as if it were a stylus. Now move your elbow up and down. You will see a significant change in the rake angle of you finger. Now move the other end of rour arm where your finger is instead. Try to imagine what the difference in thickness would be from a 120 to 200g record might be. If you move your hand that small space, you can see there is hardly much difference in rake angle. Plus who knows how each manufacturer sets up thier records. theres probably some variance from record to record regardless of the thickness. Who has time to mess with VTA on every record. It's not necessary.

"I am wondering if one of the big reasons so many members on the forum are enjoying the Denon DL-103 and 103R is because the spherical stylus on these cartridges provides consistant playback results regardless of the record thickness. As John Elison pointed out recently, you don't need to adjust VTA with a spherical stylus."

I know John is known as a local expert. But he is plain wrong about not needing to adjust the rake angle on a spherical stylus. The sweet spot is there just like on elipticles etc.

"Another reason is that I think users of the Denon's are enjoying great mid-range performance without the sometimes bloated lows and shrill highs experienced with records where VTA has not been calibrated specifically to record thickness. I also suspect that you get better phasing with a spherical stylus but I don't have a technical argument to support my suspicions."

What?

"I have owned only cartridges with elliptical stylii. However, based on great reviews here by people who I trust, I am now jumping into a spherical world. Maybe there is something to "retro" afterall..."

I hope you like it. If your used to elipticle you may find the denon lacking in some ways. It is a laid back cartrigde. It has it's charms. It's worth a shot for the money.

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