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Questions for you John

Posted by Thomas_A (A) on December 8, 2007 at 04:23:31

In Reply to: Thanks for all your responses.... posted by John Elison on October 14, 2007 at 17:38:41:

Hi John,

I saw this old thread, but I am not sure whether it will be visible anymore. I think it is interesting but there are a few things I don't understand.

1. What is the recorded VTA on the DIN 45-542 test record? It appears to be, if the numbers are correct, around 24 degrees. If it is 15 degrees, there must be a mismatch between the VTA and SRA of the DL-303 cartridge (?). For example if the nominal VTA of the cartridge is 17 degrees, the stylus is bonded incorrectly, so that a VTA of 24 degrees makes the stylus fit the groove more accurately.

2. What is the nominal VTA of the DL-303 cartridge?

3. You state "With conical styli VTA was the same at both frequencies." Do you mean distortion curves were the same? Otherwise I do not understand. How was the distortion figures with a conical stylus?

4. There is no distortion figures for the shibata stylus in Table 1, why?

5. The Shure V15 etc should have a VTA around 15 degrees, therefore the "V15" in its name. Ideally it should fit the CBS test record VTA. The Denon should also have the old 15 degrees VTA.I have read that most cartridges, although specified a certain VTA, have individual differences of up to +/- 5 degrees VTA at nominal VTF. That means that SRA also may vary, and it may vary independentlu of VTA because of QC problems. It is complexed by the differences in recorded VTA also. I wonder whether cartridges with conical stylus, not sensitive to SRA, may have better distortion curves because of the variations observed between actual VTA/SRA in cartridges with fine stylus + record differences?

So while cartridges with fine stylus may have potentially better numbers, this is in practice difficult to achieve. One may be lucky, having a cartridge made with good QC that follows the spec more accurately, including VTA/SRA. Using a conical stylus, there will be a less problem, although one have to sacrifice the possibility of lowest possible distortion.

What do ya think?

Best regards,

Thomas

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