-=[ Quoting Keith Knapp to Don Dellmann ]=-
 KK> As I understnad it, what you want is a less-expensive cartridge with
 KK> a conical diamond on it.  I've read that with these you can spin
 KK> the record backward to cue it (or get weird noises out of it),
 KK> but this is highly un-recommended with the higher-fi elliptical
 KK> diamonds in audiophile cartrdges.  Dunno why.  I suppose that the
 KK> conical diamond is less sensitive to the high frequencies in the
 KK> grooves, and therefore is not as violently accellerated by those
 KK> frequencies.  Or maybe audiophile stylii are just built lighter.
The elliptical has a smaller surface contacting the groove, which makes it
a bit more vulnerable than a conical.  It'll also wear the record harder
in abusive conditions such as "scratching".  In effect, it's a "smaller"
diamond, that's why it's better at picking up highs.
                                Phil
--- Bink/Max/GE 1.20 Pro
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