Thanks for the answers. In my opinion, irrespective of the tracking error, which can be minimized with a linear arm, the difference in diameter should have an effect on the sound. We have the same amount of information stored in a shorter span. In my case, my analog system was improving in quality over the years and from a point onwards I began to hear differences as it entered the last two tracks of the album. May be due to better system resolution. Which bothers me a little. I am thinking of buying a linear tracking arm in the future to see if the differences can be minimized.