There are also numerous parts that are connected to the stylus, such as the tonearm, headshell, counterweight, and more – all of which can have an effect on how it performs. Although novice users may not notice much of a difference, you’ll hear many opinions from audiophiles who have been around them for a while. Turntable needles come in many different styles and materials. From there, the turntable cartridge creates an electrical signal which is sent to the preamp and then the amplifier.Īll of this is an extremely fast process, but it all starts with the stylus itself. It vibrates as it tracks every curve, and these vibrations travel through its rod, which then reaches the inside of the turntable’s cartridge. The stylus, or turntable needle, is a component of turntables that reads the grooves on vinyl records. In this article, I’m going to provide details on the 4 turntable stylus types and why they’re important for the listening experience as a whole. At a glance, every stylus tip may look the same as you place it on the record, but if you take a good look, you’ll realize this is far from the truth.Įach type of stylus has an intended purpose, delivers varying qualities, and can even be made from different materials. Turntables come with a wide range of features and variations that all have an intended purpose.
