2. analog
  3. 152318-81

Stylus Profile Discussion

I've been reading a bit lately about different stylus profiles--trying to get a handle on the different shapes, pros and cons, etc. Here is a question I've been pondering: Which stylus shape represents the "sweet spot" between ease of set up and sonic performance? In other words, at what point does the demand for fully optimized alignment (and the difficulty and tedious time commitment involved in obtaining this and the neurotic tendency to fear that you may not have) become such a detriment that you would be better off with a less challenging profile that would be easier to set up correctly?
dodgealum

Showing 3 responses by cleeds

cleeds
6,115 posts
 
mijostyn
Cleeds, yes in many circles you are correct but it does depend on how you look at the angles. At any rate 92 degrees for most profiles is to close to dead vertical 70 to 75 degrees is more like it. Or 15 to 20 degrees if you look at it the way my old brain does, degrees off vertical. I’m not sure where this 92 degree thing came from ... If you put this axis at 92 degrees you’ll almost be dragging the tonearm on the edge of the record. But I will have to review the subject to see what modern convention is.
There are long-standing, widely-recognized definitions for Stylus Rake Angle and Vertical Tracking Angle, and those are the definitions companies such as Shure recognized. There is no "modern convention" that has replaced those clear definitions, and I don’t understand why you seek to reinterpret them. I suggest you read the March, 1981 Audio magazine for the article by Jon Risch that graphically explains these angles and explores why they are critical.
cleeds
6,115 posts
 
glennewdick
I will have to disagree with you about the 20degree rake angle for VTA that’s far too much IMO the cutter was at 3degrees ...
You seem to be confusing SRA (which should be about 92 degrees, or so) and VTA (which should be about 20 degrees, or so.)

And you are simply mistaken that a cutter head would be set at 3 degrees.

Why did Shure call its famous cartridge series the "V-15?"

"V" = Vertical Tracking Angle."15" = Nominal tracking angle, in degrees.
cleeds
6,115 posts
 
mijostyn
A stylus rake angle around 20 degrees is fine. You can only tell a difference at the extremes and every record is different anyway.
You're confusing SRA with VTA - they are two different things. SRA should be set around 92 degrees, VTA around 20 is usually fine.

The main advantage to the "fine-line" type styli shapes is higher frequency response - that's what they were originally developed for.
More to discover