The CD vs. Streaming

[hmvman]

I seem to recall that EMG thorns were much favoured.

Yes, I think EMG recommended the use of thorns or triangular section fibre needles. They do work well on new or lightly-worn records. More heavily-worn records will take the point off a soft needle.

EMG machines also had the advantage of having correct tracking geometry of the arm and soundbox so, even with the fairly heavy playing weight, there was less strain on the needle point.