2. analog
  3. 1348606825

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
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.
narticus
11 posts
 
Thanks for this thread. Was just looking into getting a MINT for my Classic 1. Yip asked me to measure, and I got 257-258mm as well. Rather than deal with these inconsistencies, I'm gonna stick with the VPI jig.
nandric's avatar
nandric
3,263 posts
 
There is obviously a 4th tonearm geometry invented by Harry
from VPI. Downunder forget to mention on which part of the
record this one 'sounds best'. The other 3 geometries are all designed in relationship to the record diameter. Bearwald is the best in the sense of average distortion,
Stevenson cares more for the inner-grooves distortions, etc. How then can one make a general statement like Downunder? He probable likes Harry? Well I like Bearwald more then the other 3 ( Harry included).
riffer
362 posts
 
I wonder why every discussion revolving around tonearm specs seems to relate to VPI arms? Maybe if VPI published accurate specs we wouldn't be having this discussion. This comes from a happy Scout/JMW-9 owner using the correct pivot to spindle distance of 223mm not the 222mm Rega recommended that everyone originally assumed for the JMW-9.

P.S. I have both a Wally and a Mint for my arm. I prefer the Wally, but given that they are unobtainium, the Mint is a good second choice.
More to discover