I'm not sure of the exact differences, but I know this.... Elliptical tends to be more expensive because of the way the tip is shaped...becuase of it's contour, it has better tracking force, which leads to better sound qulaity because of the much tighter tracking...which also leads to more wear and tear on your records.
Other than that, I'm not TOO sure of the differences...sorry!

Elliptical is more expensive than spherical due to the shape (harder to produce) and the result it produces.

Elliptical stylus sit deeper in the groove of the record and have more surface contact with the record than a spherical one. As a result, you will have a higher frequency range with an elliptical stylus rather than a spherical one.

Spherical stylus are better for back cueing compared to elliptical.

From what I understand, spherical stylus wear records more than elliptical due to their shape. They sit more on teh top of the groove and thus tend to cut a wider gap at the top whereas the ellipticals, because of their deeper set position and overall shape, tend not to cut into your record as much and hence don't wear it out as much.

The difference is the shape noted above

The Spherical is a 4 Straight sided shape, like an Egyptian Pyramid. This is WAY easier to produce because the grinding equipment only has to produce 4 flat surface areas (on an angle of course) to produce a point.
Elliptical is not straight or round. You must know what an ellipse is?? It is kinda round well think of a gun bullit tip or pen tip. How many straight sides or on that??? NONE!!!

The Equipment required to "Profile Grind" is probaly at least 10 times the price of "Straight" Grinding machines. There is your cost difference.

I know this Manufacturing process because of the business I am in. We have 3 grinding machines that profile grind Involute curves(Involute forms look similar to the Elliptical form in shape)to 0.0001" tolerances at work. It requires Big dollar equipment, skill, and time.

all you need to know about needles can be found here:

http://needleexpress.com/faq.htm

The shapes are disscused in very nice detail.

___________________
When you dance, the DJ takes you on a journey, but he or she is usually not the focus of your experience at a club or festival or wherever you hear the music. Dancing is. Music is.

quote:

Originally posted by Dj Flesch all you need to know about needles can be found here: http://needleexpress.com/faq.htm The shapes are disscused in very nice detail.

Thanks for that good site for info. Scanned through it, but I think it was more based on the audiophile crowd. They didn't show the spherical shape but tied it with the conical type shape. When I mentioned ball or pen type was not talking about the roller ball inside the pen but the whole pens tip shape. Even the point contact pictures where good to show why the wear occurs.

Got any other good sites?? I want the specs for those blue LEDS. Someone is scamming people for items costing pennies. I want to do the replacement myself. I would never do this on other peoples stuff because its not my profession and want no liability.

quote:

Originally posted by The Greener Thanks for that good site for info. Scanned through it, but I think it was more based on the audiophile crowd. They didn't show the spherical shape but tied it with the conical type shape. When I mentioned ball or pen type was not talking about the roller ball inside the pen but the whole pens tip shape. Even the point contact pictures where good to show why the wear occurs. Got any other good sites?? I want the specs for those blue LEDS. Someone is scamming people for items costing pennies. I want to do the replacement myself. I would never do this on other peoples stuff because its not my profession and want no liability.

I think you're after this site..

http://www.asisphonics.net/bluelightspecial.html

The super bright blue LED's do cost a fair bit more than regular LED's but the package deals that are sold are stupidly priced...

Then go here for the LED's for the pitch control. May have to look around a bit but these guys are the best.

http://www.led.net/datasheets/discrete.htm