Feickert analogue protractor....Owners impressions

I just used it to check my Aries-3 + JMW10.5i tonearm, which was previously calibrated using the VPI jig. It's much simpler/quicker to use compare to the VPI jig. The white colored template makes it much easier to align the stylus without the need of a magnifying glass. Yes, the VPI jig is probably sufficient, but it's more cumbersome. I wouldn't want to use the VPI jig again now I have the Feickert. It is pricy, but I figure in the future I probably will be buying a few more turntables so this is the only protractor that I ever need.

BTW, one other benefit of Feickert is that the thickness of the template is 3mm which is the same as an 180g vinyl. Most of my LPs are 180g so the Feickert allows me to set my VTA in a very handy manner.

I find that the user instruction on Feikert website is slightly better than the manual that comes with the package.

Don't forget that the Feickert also include a "Baerwaald" geometry (so-called "Arc Style") on the 'backface' of the template.

I noticed something today about the Feickert template. I measured the spindle-pivot distance on my Aries-3 TT and it's 261mm. I then move my stylus to touch the 261mm mark on the Feickert template - so far so good. Then I thought let's try another point on the template, I move the stylus to 300mm mark and to my surprise it touches it as well. I then move my stylus to all other marks and it touches all of them.

So now what? I thought the stylus is supposed to touch only one mark?? Now I'm confused, why do we even bothered measuring the spindle-pivot distance?

Tim,
I have a VPI table so if measuring the spindle to pivot distance is all I need to do with the Feickert then it's definitely not worth the $250 price-tag. Because I can measure it with ordinary ruler and it's exactly the same as measuring it with Feickert.

Now I'm seriously ponder whether to return the Feickert and get a MintLP tractor instead.

Islandmandan wrote:
I found my overhang was off using the VPI jig

You have to be a little bit careful if you're using the VPI table. Because VPI publishes some bogus specs on their website which were not the real things. MintLP requires very accurate specs, so if Yip designed the Best Tractor based on the bogus specs you'll expect to find some differences from the VPI jig.

I have a VPI Aries-3 turntable and when I checked VPI's website, originally it says the PS distance is 262mm, I did my own measurement and found that it's 256mm on my table. I called up VPI and sought clarification, telling them about my measurements. VPI soon corrected the number on their website. But then there're a bunch of other number, like overhang, offset angle which I cannot verify. I found that if I use their published numbers I cannot get the same null point as shown the VPI jigs. The whole thing just appears fishy. And that's the reason why I haven't yet ordered a MintLP, because I don't know what specs to give Yip.

Stiltskin, I have a Aries-3 with 10.5i arm, so my table is the only thing I can measure and verify with VPI.

I cannot verify the overhang because I don't know how to measure it. If VPI got the PS distance wrong, what's the hope that they will get the rest of the numbers right?

Mjglo, how did you install new arm on your Aries-3 if it has already been predrilled and pre-installed with the JMW10.5i?

07-30-08: Sonofjim
As a side note, my measured pivot to spindle distance for the 10.5i on the SSM table agrees well with VPI's published value of 256 mm. I'm not sure why the value was off for the Aries 3 but my guess is that the rest of the values for overhang can be assumed to be accurate.

Sonofjim, the 256mm that you saw on VPI website is the correct value but originally they were publishing 262mm. They finally changed the number after I called Mike up and told him that I measured 256mm on my Aries-3 w/ JMW10.5i.

08-04-08: Sonofjim
Stringreen,
What value did you give Yip for pivot to spindle distance on the 10.5i? I found that 256 mm was right on for mine. Just wondered because it seems others have found the specs to be off. I don't think you spent $100 for nothing. Even if it turns out the same you get the piece of mind of double checking. Isn't that what audio nervousa is all about?

256mm is the right number for PS. You simply can't get any more accurate than your own measurement. But this is only 1/2 of the question, what about the overhang? If VPI got their PS distance wrong initially, do you trust the 15mm overhang quoted on their website?

I have actually called Mike too. He told me that I can use overhang between 15mm and 16mm. The 16mm will sound better with classical music - so go figure..:)