The best stylus shape for your turntable will depend on a number of factors, including the type of records you listen to, your turntable setup, and your personal preferences. However, there are some general guidelines that can help you choose the right stylus shape for your needs.
The different types of stylus shapes
There are four main types of stylus shapes:
- Spherical: Spherical styli are the most common and least expensive type of stylus. They have a rounded tip that makes contact with the record groove at a single point. Spherical styli are relatively good at tracking the grooves of records, but they can produce more distortion than other stylus shapes at higher frequencies.
- Elliptical: Elliptical styli have a tip that is shaped like an ellipse. This allows them to make contact with the record groove at two points, which improves tracking and reduces distortion at higher frequencies. Elliptical styli are more expensive than spherical styli, but they offer better sound quality.
- Line contact: Line contact styli have a very narrow tip that makes contact with the record groove in a single line. This gives them the best tracking and distortion performance of all stylus shapes, but line contact styli are also the most expensive and are more susceptible to damage.
- MicroLine: MicroLine styli are a type of line contact stylus that has a very thin tip. This gives them even better tracking and distortion performance than regular line contact styli, but MicroLine styli are also even more expensive and susceptible to damage.
Which stylus shape is best for you?
If you are on a budget or you are new to turntables, a spherical stylus is a good option. Spherical styli are durable and can play a wide range of records. However, if you are looking for the best possible sound quality, you may want to consider an elliptical or line contact stylus. Elliptical styli offer a good balance of price and performance, while line contact and MicroLine styli offer the best possible sound quality but are also more expensive and susceptible to damage.
Here are some additional things to consider when choosing a stylus shape:
- The type of records you listen to: If you listen to a mix of old and new records, a spherical or elliptical stylus is a good option. Spherical styli are less likely to damage older records, while elliptical styli offer better sound quality on new records. If you only listen to new records, you may want to consider a line contact or MicroLine stylus.
- Your turntable setup: If you have a high-end turntable setup, you may want to consider a line contact or MicroLine stylus. These stylus shapes will give you the best possible sound quality, but they are also more susceptible to damage. If you have a more modest turntable setup, an elliptical stylus is a good option.
- Your personal preferences: Ultimately, the best stylus shape for you is the one that sounds the best to you. If you are not sure which stylus shape to choose, try listening to records with different stylus shapes to see which one you prefer.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of which stylus shape is best. The best stylus shape for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. However, by following the guidelines above, you can choose the right stylus shape for your turntable and enjoy the best possible sound quality.
