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 perhaps they are measuring to the oncoming facet of the stylus. I'm measuring from the long axis through the tip of the stylus which I think is easier to eyeball when you set the tonearm up. 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.
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?
Showing 2 responses by mijostyn
1+ Millercarbon. Darn millercarbon, you are starting to make sense! All of the top cartridges are using one form of fine line profile or another and I am beginning to think it is more for marketing than anything, another one of those secret sauces. Regardless of the profile a cartridge has to be set up correctly to minimize distortion and record wear particularly overhang, offset and azimuth. I'm one of those people who think VTA is not so critical. A stylus rake angle around 20 degrees is fine. You can only tell a difference at the extremes and every record is different anyway. I saw from 18 to 23 degrees once. It can actually change through the record with modulation generally going lower with higher modulation. A tonearm without a VTA tower is not a deal breaker for me. But to do it right you need one of these, http://www.analogueartisan.com/Reference.html |