The former, for sure. The problem is that most people are focused on the primary resonance of the cartridge/tonearm system. If too far off the primary resonance can either be excited by record warps on the one end and the lowest tones of the music on the other. However most modern cartridges are of medium compliance and most modern arms of medium mass, minimizing these problems. Although this is a tracking issue, the problems don’t fall within the audio range.
On the other hand, what does fall well within the audio range are the secondary arm/cartridge resonances. These have a much greater effect on the sound that you hear. Then why all of this focus on primary resonance? Because it is easy to calculate and to measure. Secondary resonances are quite hard to measure. It’s a case of measuring the less important thing.
Which brings us to the uncomfortable truth that, unless there is a gross mismatch in the primary resonance, the only way to know what cartridges work well is which arms is by anecdotal evidence or trial and error.
On the other hand, what does fall well within the audio range are the secondary arm/cartridge resonances. These have a much greater effect on the sound that you hear. Then why all of this focus on primary resonance? Because it is easy to calculate and to measure. Secondary resonances are quite hard to measure. It’s a case of measuring the less important thing.
Which brings us to the uncomfortable truth that, unless there is a gross mismatch in the primary resonance, the only way to know what cartridges work well is which arms is by anecdotal evidence or trial and error.