[Trevor]

On 9/08/2018 9:04 AM, Pamela wrote:
I've never understood this properly but on a linear arm turntable,
wouldn't there still be a lateral force experienced by the stylus
(which some sensor then picks up and activates the arm servo)?

Of course. Should be no more than with any other turntable/arm combo though.

Isn't that lateral force going to introduce at least some audio
distortion?

The lateral force by itself should not introduce very much distortion,
and no more than any other turntable (probably less). It's an
unavoidable consequence of dragging a rock through vinyl. What you do
gain is the stylus is always at the proper angle to the groove, or so
close as makes no difference. Whether you introduce other problems
though is another matter. Funny though that some people forget the lathe
cutter head suffers from these same problems and is already embedded on
the disc. :-)