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Time to choose: Baerwald, Lofgren, Stevenson ?

I’ve managed Dr.Feickert Analog Protractor for a decent price (build quality is superb, such a great tool).

Time to play with Baerwald, Lofgren, Stevenson alignments on my Luxman PD444.
Need advice from experienced used of the following arms:
Lustre GST 801
Victor UA-7045
Luxman TA-1
Reed 3P "12
Schick "12

Baerwald, Lofgren, Stevenson ? What do you like the most for these arms?
Manufacturers recommend Baerwald mostly. 

Dedicated "7 inch vinyl playback deserve Stevenson alternative, maybe?
Since it's a smaller format than normal "12 or "10 inch vinyl, it's like playin the last track's according to position of grooves on '7 inch (45 rpm) singles. RCA invented this format, i wonder which alignment did they used for radio broadcast studios.   

Thanks

chakster
barbapapa
192 posts
 
Lewn,
Maybe you are right by the way. I had the Unidin curve for 3 days but it still is a short time. Yesterday the Loefgren was used with the same records for a first comparo. 
I admit I have been a bit impatient. Now I want to stay a few weeks with the Loefgren before trying the UniDin curve again and make a more definitive opinion.

rauliruegas
9,123 posts
 
Dear @barbapapa : Overall Löfgren " A "/Baerwald and Löfgren " B " has lower distortion levels than the other alignment you mentioned. That alignment is not something " special ", it's only a manipulation of one of the input values in the alignment calculation formulas: the change was that instead to take either: IEC or DIN  or JIS standards value for the most inner groove input it tooks 54 with no real overall improvement. As you, M.Fremer voted for Löfgren B too through his tests.

As I posted  what any one of us need as a protractor is the MINT LP one, that's a dedicated protractor for the TT/tonearm we own. It's really accurated and for only 100.00-150.00.
 IMHO no one needs more, is really useless stay trying any other protractor other than by curiosity. At the end what we music lovers want is listen MUSIC all the time and not testing 3-5 diferent kind of alignments. Again: useless.

Btw, @lewm posted: """  curve again and make a more definitive opinion. """.

You tested by 3 days and changed to Löfgren with the same LPs. IMHO you need no more. Your ears telling ( in this case ) what the numbers tell it too. 

We can think that a short/brief time can't be enough and sometimes is true but when one person ( as you ) knows what to look for that times goes lower.

I don't need to many time to give my vote to Löfgren and Baerwald over Stevenson alignment: 2-3 hours can be more than enough. Why can I follow wasting more time? when what I want is to enjoy MUSIC. Makes no sense to me: makes sense to you?

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
fleib
1,124 posts
 

Lewm, your defense of the arc seems valid, but the Dennesen types don't need perfect arm mounting distance. As long as you can sight the pivot intersection you can get a "correct" alignment provided you have enough headshell room.

I always check with a conventional 2 point protractor. As long as the apparatus doesn't move, the alignment is good.

Raul, What alignment does Mint use?  (measure from center to first grid and compare to alignments above)

Regards,

rauliruegas
9,123 posts
 
Dear @fleib: The manufacturer choosed Baerwald ( I think???? because I 'm not an owner of it. )  and I don't know if he is willing to manufacture it Löfgren B. At the end Baerwald is excellent choice too.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
chakster's avatar
chakster OP
2,482 posts
 
@rauliruegas 

the MINT LP one, that's a dedicated protractor for the TT/tonearm we own. It's really accurated and for only 100.00-150.00.

Or Dr.Feickert analog protractor (next generation) just for £137 new from analogue seduction in UK. The pound is weak and now it's just about $170 including shipping outside Europe. Superb build quality! 
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