Why is HFW so biased against vintage cartridges?

[NRG]

Hi Marco,


* Tracking distortion refers to mid and low frequency tracking ability and is determined largely by cantilever hinge compliance, VTF and damping. Tracing distortion is determined largely by the tip profile - the precise fit of the scanning edge of the tip to the HF waves pressed into the groove wall.

Hi Rob,

Yes or in other words: Tracking refers to the ability of the cartridge to keep the stylus in unbroken contact with the wall of the record groove.

Tracing refers to how accurately a stylus in full contact with the groove wall is able to follow the grooves path. As you say the tracing ability of a cart is a function of the stylus profile.

As the wall curvature begins to exceed the radius of a conical stylus the stylus can no longer follow the groove path and a HF loss occurs also known as scanning loss.

There's also another one called Pinch loss / effect, there's a difference between the cutting head and stylus cross sections as the record is cut the groove can narrow at certain points and this narrowing causes the stylus to be pinched or squeezed upwards adding further distortion to the signal.