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Thread: Elliptical - are they so bad?

  1. #1
    Join Date: Dec 2015

    Location: Alicante. Spain.

    Posts: 1,885
    I'm Adrian.

    Default Elliptical - are they so bad?

    I'm currently using a Fritz Geiger on my Allaerts and like the detail it gives me - but I've just bought (yet to receive) Steve's Goldbug Mr Brier, mainly for sentimental reasons as I wanted one when it was the dogs b*ll*cks but couldn't afford one. It uses a (new) elliptical stylus and I'm wondering how much detail will be lost, if any, by switching types.
    Technics SP10 mk2
    Jan Allaerts MC 1 Boron mk1 cart
    Miyajima Shilabe cart
    Hashimoto HM-X SUT
    Siggwan (gimballed not unipivot) Cocobola 12"
    Aurorasound Vida LCR Phonostage
    The Truth linestage
    Dave Slagle Autoformer Volume Controller
    Cary 805c SET amps
    Audio Note ANe-SPX speakers
    Townshend Isolda speaker cables
    Cardas Golden Presence interconnects

  2. #2
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Norwich

    Posts: 2,814
    I'm Hugo.

    Default

    There are many elements making up a good analogue recipe, with the tip being a relatively minor one, IMO. An elliptical tip might not drag out the last bit of detail from the grooves, compared with a more exotic profile, but detail alone does not dictate the musical whole. There is a real risk of chasing rainbows here, if you're not careful, but you could always get a finer tip put on the Goldbug if you were curious to know what might be missing - the inherent character of a cartridge is largely defined by the generator, amongst other design factors.

  3. #3
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

    Default

    One of the best sounding MC's I've owned had an elliptical diamond. The Technics EPC-305MC and that had no lack of fine detail resolution, quite the reverse actually.
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  4. #4
    Join Date: Dec 2015

    Location: Alicante. Spain.

    Posts: 1,885
    I'm Adrian.

    Default

    Thanks hugo. I'm not a detail freak but I do like the finer nuances. I had an elliptical but it was so long ago I cant remember my impressions. This will be a back up to the Allaerts (god forbid it goes tits up) but I'm hoping I can make the Brier sing in the superb Reed in a way others haven't quite achieved. We shall see....
    Technics SP10 mk2
    Jan Allaerts MC 1 Boron mk1 cart
    Miyajima Shilabe cart
    Hashimoto HM-X SUT
    Siggwan (gimballed not unipivot) Cocobola 12"
    Aurorasound Vida LCR Phonostage
    The Truth linestage
    Dave Slagle Autoformer Volume Controller
    Cary 805c SET amps
    Audio Note ANe-SPX speakers
    Townshend Isolda speaker cables
    Cardas Golden Presence interconnects

  5. #5
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Toulouse, France

    Posts: 6,562
    I'm Kevin.

    Default

    My Technics EPC-U205 (with original elliptical stylus/cantilever) still sounds mighty fine.
    Kevin

    Too busy enjoying the music....

    European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..

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