A stylus is an essential component of a turntable, and it is responsible for reading the information from the vinyl record grooves and transmitting it to the audio system. There are two types of stylus – spherical and elliptical – that are different in shape, construction, and performance.
Spherical Stylus
A spherical stylus is the most common and traditional type of stylus used in turntables. As the name suggests, this stylus has a spherical shape at the tip, which is in direct contact with the vinyl record grooves. The spherical shape is easy to manufacture, and it is also cost-effective.
The spherical stylus has a larger surface area, which allows it to track the grooves of the record more easily. It also requires less pressure to maintain contact with the grooves, reducing the wear and tear on the vinyl record. However, the larger contact area also means that it is more prone to distortion and wear. Additionally, the spherical stylus does not accurately reproduce high-frequency sounds, resulting in a lack of detail and clarity in the audio output.
Sound characteristics of Spherical Stylus:
- Warmth: Spherical styluses tend to produce a warmer sound due to the larger contact area with the vinyl record grooves. This can be desirable for certain genres of music like jazz and blues.
- Bass: Spherical styluses can produce more bass than an elliptical stylus due to the larger contact area with the vinyl record grooves. However, this can also result in less precise bass reproduction.
Who use Spherical Stylus:
- DJs: Spherical styluses are commonly used by DJs as they require less tracking force and can handle more wear and tear than an elliptical stylus. They are also more forgiving when it comes to tracking errors, which is important when cueing and scratching.
- Casual listeners: People who use their turntable occasionally for casual listening may opt for a spherical stylus as it is more cost-effective and requires less maintenance than an elliptical stylus.
Elliptical Stylus
An elliptical stylus has a more advanced and complex design than a spherical stylus. Instead of a spherical tip, it has an elliptical shape that allows it to fit more precisely into the vinyl record grooves. The elliptical shape of the stylus is more challenging to manufacture, which makes it more expensive than the spherical stylus.
The elliptical stylus has a smaller contact area, which allows it to read the vinyl record grooves with more accuracy and detail. It can reproduce high-frequency sounds better than the spherical stylus, resulting in a more detailed and dynamic audio output. The smaller contact area also reduces the wear and tear on the vinyl record, increasing its lifespan. However, the elliptical stylus requires more tracking force than the spherical stylus, which can cause more wear and tear on the stylus itself.
Sound characteristics of Elliptical Stylus:
- Clarity: Elliptical styluses tend to produce a more detailed and clear sound due to the smaller contact area with the vinyl record grooves. This can be desirable for classical and orchestral music where detail and clarity are important.
- High frequencies: Elliptical styluses can reproduce high-frequency sounds more accurately than spherical styluses, resulting in a more dynamic and detailed sound output.
Who use Elliptical Stylus:
- Audiophiles: Those who are serious about sound quality and want the most accurate reproduction of their vinyl records will choose an elliptical stylus. It can reproduce high-frequency sounds better than a spherical stylus, resulting in a more detailed and dynamic audio output.
- Record collectors: People who collect rare and valuable vinyl records will often opt for an elliptical stylus to minimize any damage or wear to their records while still getting the best sound quality possible.
- Home theater enthusiasts: Those who use their turntable as part of a home theater system may choose an elliptical stylus as it can deliver better sound quality for movies and TV shows.
In conclusion, the choice between a spherical and elliptical stylus depends on your personal preferences, budget, and the quality of the audio output you desire. If you want a more cost-effective option and are not too concerned about high-frequency sound accuracy, then a spherical stylus is the right choice for you. However, if you want better sound quality and are willing to spend more, an elliptical stylus is the way to go.