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Mint LP Best Tractor---HELP

Correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that the creation of this arc style protractor for a particular turntable/tonearm combination requires the accurate measurement of the distance between the platter spindle and the tonearm pivot. My question is, if this is true, exactly how precise does this measurement have to be?

Recently I ordered one of these, got it, and realigned my Dynavector 17D3, which had previously been aligned with the jig that came with my VPI Classic 1. When I listened after aligning the cartridge with the Mint lp protractor, I didn't like the sound I was getting, it just didn't sound "right", the VPI jig alignment sounded better to my ears. I had a sick feeling the spindle to pivot distance that I gave Yip was wrong, so I remeasured it with a better ruler than the one I had used originally (which, I'm embarrassed to admit, was 2 rulers carefully taped together because I didn't have a long enough one). Sure enough, I had given him a measurement that was 1mm short. Sh****t...

So I emailed Yip and told him the problem, and that I wanted to order a new one based on the correct measurement. To my surprise, his response was: "it may not be unfit. I urge you first to check all parameters before making a move.I would like to find out if the stylus tip falls on each and every point on the effective length curve as printed on the Tractor."

Huh?

I thought the whole point of this very well-loved Mint lp Best tractor was the extreme accuracy with which it aligns cartridges. So why would he tell me this if the measurement I gave him turns out to be 1mm off? Doesn't that specification have to be right on the money? Isn't that why I had to order a custom made one rather than one of the ready-made ones he already has in stock? Yes, when I line everything up correctly the stylus tip follows the curve faithfully, but why would that make everything right, wouldn't it do that wherever the arc was printed on the mirror?

I'm confused guys, please help me out here...
will_herrera
will_herrera OP
40 posts
 
The first e-mail I received from Yip after I placed my order contained this instruction:

"Note the Mounting Distance [spindle to tonearm pivot] of your tonearm is 259mm, you have to ascertain this is correct at your setup as it affects performance. Effective Length adopted would be 274mm. This is factory specification. "

Note the two words "affects performance".

I was never asked for the spindle diameter, or any other relevant measurement. So, at the risk of repeating myself, I'm mystified why he would say that the protractor he made for me could still be correct, when it was based on an incorrect measurement (257mm, MY FAULT, it's actually 258mm), a measurement that he clearly states in the quote above "affects performance" and the only one he wanted to know!

His English seems fine to me, so I don't think that's an issue.
vortrex
148 posts
 
I think there are two distances for the Classic, depending on what model year you have. This may be why is asked you for the info. I used one for my current production Classic 1 and it worked great. I'm going on memory about the two distances, but it would be worth researching here.
downunder
1,328 posts
 
Been there done that.

Harry's VPI alignment sounds better than either the baer or Loef alignment that Yip does.

Why, because Harry's alignment is his own and does not follow any B, L or S standard.

IMO, Don't waste your $$ on mint or any other alignment guage for VPI tables.
nandric's avatar
nandric
3,263 posts
 
Well I am asked for the spindle diameter of my Kuzma because Yyp had no data about this model and because spindle diameters vary by TT's for more than 1mm. For my Triplanar he needed no specs. from me while for my FR-64 I asked Baerwald geometry and not Ikeda's original which is Stivenson (the most Japanese arms are Stivenson). This means spindle-pivot distance of 231,5 mm. Yip is 'paranoid' about dimensions so one get fractions of 1 mm which are not easy to see not to mention adjust. But that is why many of us want Mint tractor. With 'affects performance' he means of course deviations from the 'optimal distortions' connected with different geometries.

Regards,
dodgealum
976 posts
 
OK, I wasn't going to chime in but Downunder is right. I had a MINT and found it to be a royal pain to use. Finally got the alignment of my AT OC9MLII just right on my Scout (according to the MINT) and didn't like the sound. Then I realigned using Harry's jig that came with the table being very careful to get the overhang spot on and the cantilever parallel with the lines on the jig and it sounded WAY better. Sold the MINT.
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