Stylus Profile
Stylus profile is the shape of the tip where it contacts a record groove. It affects how the cartridge follows fine groove detail.
The profile names a shape, not a material or mounting method.
Stylus Profile — Cartridge
A conical (spherical) tip is rounded. An elliptical tip has a narrower tracing radius. Line-contact shapes have a longer contact patch along the groove wall; varieties include Shibata, Micro-ridge / MicroLine and Special line contact. These names do not specify identical dimensions.
In “nude elliptical diamond, 0.3 × 0.7 mil,” elliptical is the profile, nude describes the mounting, diamond is the material, and the numbers give the tip radii.
Compare the manufacturer’s exact profile and dimensions. A profile name alone does not determine sound quality: cartridge alignment and tracking force still matter. Follow the cartridge’s setup instructions.
Sources
- VM Cartridges: stylus shapes and specifications — Audio-Technica
- Cartridge guide: diamond construction and shapes — Ortofon
- Cartridge FAQ: alignment and tracking force — Ortofon