It's the stylus...


After 60 (not a typo) years of fooling around with audio I have finally come to the absolute conclusion that the stylus is the most critical part of any vinyl setup. I don't think this is in any way a revolutionary thing to say. It's just that I haven't personally seen anyone say it before. This is by no means saying that all the other elements are not critically important as well but without a superb stylus all the rest is almost completely meaningless. 

This is the place where you cannot afford to spend less or budget. Over the years an astonishing number of different terrific performing cartridges have been produced but without a truly superb stylus they really don't give anything to an otherwise exceptional vinyl setup.

Only because people may ask I currently have in my collection 14 turntables, 4 phono stages, an unknown number of preamps and integrateds with phono sections, countless cartridges and lots more. After that, as to what's most important, I could make the argument for phono stage, cartridge, preamp in that order but I really don't have a dog in that hunt. The stylus is king, all else follows. I do absolutely realize that having something crappy anywhere down the line will throw everything off and make what I am saying .meaningless. 
skywachr

Showing 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

advanced stylus definitely produces audible improvement, but it must be said: I/we can beat a CD with an Elliptical Stylus. Even on a ’not too special’ TT.

AFTER all alignments/adjustments are done right. Alignment is the primary route to success IMO. Personally having the few tools and acquiring alignment skills should be a vinyl lovers goal. Or a nearby friend with those skills, as I am to my friends. I can also set a clock in a VCR!

NEXT, Stylus Shape, with comment: the cantilever stiffness, and cartridge innards/performance make a fundamental difference to what it is given by an advanced stylus profile.

THEN mc/mm phono stage

FINALLY off to the races with the amp and speakers that you already love.

IOW: Advanced; Elliptical; Conical - ON WHAT, IN WHAT BODY?
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I have got 5 cartridges in active duty:

MC Audio Technica AT33PTG/II MC ML on Boron
MM Shure V15VxMR body with aftermarket Jico SAS on Boron
(had original ML on Beryllium till it shattered)
MM Audio Technica AT440ML, alum tube
MM Shure 97xe Elliptical on aluminum
MM Grado Mono Elliptical on Aluminum

The 3 advanced stylus profiles are superior to elliptical for modern lps, They differ in performance. I keep yapping about the wider separation and tighter channel balance producing improved imaging.

Now I am concentrating on frequency response/involving presentation differences, not as readily apparent.

I recently heard some faint tinkling from my first MC ML: at the end of a track that I never heard before. I need to investigate/compare that to my prior favorite Shure MM SAS, and AT440.

I have favorite tracks that reveal dynamics, imaging, ... Now I will look for tracks that reveal extended highs from my horn tweeters for my 72 year old ears, as well as tighter bass from my 15" woofers.

The tightest bass I remember, was from the Shure’s Beryllium shaft until I dropped/shattered it. SME arm on Thorens TD124. Sadly the Thorens amazing bearing was susceptible to vertical vibrations from my springy floor.

TABLE/ARM. Certainly important, but again, I could beat a CD with the readily available AT120 using MY Cartridges, Shure 97xe elliptical or either of my MM Microlines.



$250. from Adorama

(https://www.adorama.com/aulp120xsbbk.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA5vb-BRCRARIsAJBKc6IkvDSu4qFotx7x94fsLakubP2B...

$500. for some reason from Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120XUSB-Direct-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Skate/dp/B07N3S4X3P...

I think I paid $250. years ago, it’s downstairs waiting to give to a friend when I visit him after covid. Happily he lives near McIntosh in Binghamton, NY. Unhappily he and Binghamton just got 42" of snow, his photos are ridiculous.

You definitely need to replace the AT120’s provided cartridge: elliptical, separation only 20db; balance 2.0 db.

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??What tracks do you use to reveal frequency extensions/tightness??

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MONO: If you have Mono LP's, or will acquire some along the way, as I learned here, there is a definite improvement using a true mono cartridge. All my life I used Stereo Cartridge vis McIntosh Mode Switch, MONO position. This Grado Mono Elliptical is better, sometimes slightly, sometimes seriously better, and everything in between.