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Is elliptical the best stylus profile

In my experiences, it seems that elliptical shaped stylus track better and pretty much have the same amount of detail that a line contact has, maybe a little less.  The difference, again in my experience is that the line contact needs to be set up perfectly for good performance.  How many of us are experts at setup.  Cartridge manufacturers, Why not just use elliptical shape and give everybody a break? 
tzh21y

Showing 2 responses by agrippa

agrippa
160 posts
 
Surely the best stylus profile is the stylus profile you like best.  Hard to see any reason to make it more complicated than that.
Sure, tracking *might* be a slight factor, but like mijostyn says above it's hard to find a modern cartridge which doesn't track quite well or better.  I suppose if you play the Telarc 1812 every other day it could conceivably be a significant issue, but I'd happily put a good few quid on 95%+ of all tracking problems being down to bad set-up or a mismatched tonearm/cartridge combination.
agrippa
160 posts
 
That depends on what you mean by "doesn't track quite well." If you're stating that most modern cartridges will stay in the LP groove, I'd agree with you. If you mean most modern cartridges can sail through things like all six tracking bands on the Shure V15 Type V Audio Obstacle Course LP, I'd disagree, based on my own experience.
I meant the latter, though not so specifically.  However, I too own the same record and every cartridge I've owned or borrowed over the last 12 to 15 years (which is quite a few...) has passed said tracks no bother.  A suitable arm and proper adjustments was all it required.

The HFN test record presents rather more of a challenge, as only a handful has passed its +18dB track.
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