How important is Cartridge Overhang? Need help

The only point to overhang and pivot to spindle distance and offset and such is to help you get a starting point to better align the stylus to the appropriate null points on the curve (Lofgren or Baerwald and such). That's the purpose of these things. If you don't take the pain to set them exactly, but still manage to somehow align the stylus appropriately, I will bet that you have inadvertantly gotten them very close to where they should be.

But why take that chance and make it more difficult for yourself? Set it right the first time, then listen to music.

Dan_ed wrote:You say that the cart is all the way forward, it hits the arc on the outside but sits behind the arc on the inside. And that the cartridge is all the way forward in the slots.

From the setup instructions I've been able to see online for arc protractors, the condition the OP described does indeed indicate that there is not enough overhang adjustment possible. http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=vinyl&n=738382

It's always possible that his Mint protractor was mis-manufactured or that his turntable doesn't exactly match published specifications for arm length, pivot to spindle distance, etc. I agree with others that trying a different protractor is the best first step. If he doesn't have enough overhang for Baerwald alignment, maybe a Stevenson protractor will work. Two-point protractors and single-point, line of sight protractors (such as the Geo-Disc) can work with a variety of turntables and arms as they are not "tailor-made for a particular turntable tonearm setup"; even the best tailors can make a mistake.

That write up from John assumes the arc is in the correct position. You can't just flop down an arc on the table any where.

Again, very important, I'm assuming the arm is set to the correct P2S.

Look at John's drawing, keep in mind the cartridge is all the way forward. From the OP's description it seems that the cartridge is hitting point C. However, the cart is already too far forward.

Now move the arc back until the stylus at point C is on the line. Where did the stylus move to in relation to the arc on the outside? Does it not end up to the left of the arc?

Many of us who use the MintLp protractor on a regular basis have found an easy check of the arc position on the table. First, start with the cartridge in the middle of the slots. Then, with the arm lifted on the queue, gently swing the arm across above the arc. You should be able to see if you are in the ballpark or not. If not, move the protractor until it looks like the arm is tracing the arc. Now you should be reasonably close and you can begin adjusting the cart with the stylus down on the protractor.

sorry I haven't been on in a bit . Dan_ed you are exactly right if the Mint had a C point that is where the stylus is landing and if you move the protractor so it lands on the arc near C then at A it is to the left of the arc.I have been talking with Yip at Mint and we have come to the conclusion that the Ortofon HMC 20 cartridge only has a Mounting Hole to Stylus Tip of 8.5mm instead of the standard 9.5mm. That looks to be the amount of adjustment missing. Since it looks like I may have to replace the cartridge does anyone have any suggestions on a sub $500.00 cart. with a known longer MHST measurement.Ortofon would be preferred just because of the trade in, but it is not a must