We listen to a system, yet we judge a single piece...how accurate is that??

PeterA

Well-Known Member
Dec 6, 2011
12,527
10,691
3,515
USA
I am diverging a bit here, but wanted to make a point that all statements, reviews and impressions are entirely relative and should be taken in context, which would be my response to the original post. For example, in the above statement of yours, most people might agree with you that setting the exact same SRA angle as that of the cutting head's offers the lowest distortion of that kind; but the picture is also incomplete: do we also realize that the length of the cantilevers must also be exactly the same? Think about it: the stylus moves up and down effectively in an arc, albeit small, so the longer the cantilever the smaller the arc, and the shorter the cantilever the larger the arc.

That's a great observation, Ack. I had considered the original cutting head angle and shape of the cutter, but not the cantilever. One also has to remember that most tonearms are pivoting and the cutter head is on a linear track. There are lots of variables, but I think the argument can be made that there is a "proper" or "correct" SRA angle, and that we all just try to approximate it when setting up our cartridges so we end up listening for lowest distortion and our own preferences. Often close is good enough.
 

microstrip

VIP/Donor
May 30, 2010
20,806
4,698
2,790
Portugal
That's a great observation, Ack. I had considered the original cutting head angle and shape of the cutter, but not the cantilever. One also has to remember that most tonearms are pivoting and the cutter head is on a linear track. There are lots of variables, but I think the argument can be made that there is a "proper" or "correct" SRA angle, and that we all just try to approximate it when setting up our cartridges so we end up listening for lowest distortion and our own preferences. Often close is good enough.

I can not see any argument leading to a "proper" or "correct" extremely critical SRA angle in each recording, other than our preferences.

It is a completely different case from tape, where if we have test tones on tape we can adjust azimuth for the technical correct angle and we are sure that we have the best possible reproduction.
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing