Stylus options

Strangely enough there hasn't been much mention on this blog about records as in playing them apart from one from around 2013 which mentioned my then current turntable and the device that takes  the low output of your cartridge which tracks the groove to convert that to something that comes out of your amplifier and speakers.

These days a Marantz direct drive turntable used used with Ortofon Concorde SME bayonet twist and lock cartridges for all record playing duties being easy to replace the stylus - the bit that goes in the groove wall - when they wear out.

 

Basically it's the same internally as the regular screw in the headshell version and you would adjust the height so it sits correctly for the best sound.

Like a few people I tend to have a number about because the sharp bit that goes in the groove comes with a variety of different options such as models for mono lps made before the late nineteen sixties when stereo lathes were used to cut all regular records because the groove wall was wider.

You can get less noise on such a record if well played by using a wider tip.

Ever since the advent of stereo discs hifi as a hobby had taken off the battle was always about getting the most information from  from the groove so we moved from broadly speaking rounded tips to tips of an elliptical nature to go further down into the groove and more closely follow what was cut.

Generally that means the highest notes can be better reproduced because the stylus is more able to trace them which is fed into the generator system of the cartridge  and often this is a great thing on newer, well cared for discs.

Because it does go that much into it, it requires more care in keeping your records clean to avoid hearing any pops and ticks.

 

That is one reason perversely I did get a traditional spherical stylus for playing records that while not be scratched had been played on less exacting equipment such as the record player I had when I was young.

The Ortofon 5S is a high quality spherical stylus that tracks at a lower weight around 1.75 grams so it won't wear records but because it sits up in the groove a bit more tends to play those singles better for not seeing the slight wear.

It is offered in starter turntables with a cartridge because it does offer much better sound than many disco type models and causes little wear for little expense while allowing if a person chooses to fit more exacting styli just by pushing off the fitted one and adding a replacement.

Mr Hifi Bore apart from having issues with normal type I tapes and Mp3's often railed at such stylus's but actually not a few very high quality moving coil cartridges did come with spherical tips and were highly regarded.

I feel provided the stylus is well made, the balance between different types properties is a personal one and some may be prepared to trade a slight loss of the highest notes for quieter surface noise especially on singles and longer albums where the cutting levels tend to be low.