MintLP Protractor for the JMW-9T tonearm

Actusreus... if you are still interested in pursuing this very frustrating matter in order to properly setup your tonearm, my experiences with Yip and his BesTractor and other products tell me that following his knowledge and advice might be a preferred course. I have had excellent experiences with him, his products, and his social and communication skills.

After all, he is the one who creates and sells these excellent products, and I have no reason to think he wouldn't stand behind them.

Sure... this logic also applies to VPI, but the little guy (Yip) has more to lose with a single dissatisfied customer than the big guy (VPI) with a world class reputation and thousands of customers and hundreds of dealers.

My best suggestion is to discuss this with Yip, follow what he says, and if he sells one to you arrange it on a customer satisfaction basis. Also, for the sake of all of our madnesses in this hobby, report back your experience for our greater edification.

Just my thoughts and experience. I hear yah... these sorts of things make the love of vinyl tough...

:) listening,

Ed

I forgot where I read it, but I seem to remember reading somewhere (I know this doesn't help) that the Classic arm was just slightly lengthened. This would affect your setup. It very well may be that the arm now conforms to the Rega dimensions as VPI says, but then again it may be which arm you have if indeed the dimensions were changed. I have a 10.5i, and set it up with a MINT, and the setup sounds better to these ears with the MINT.

I am more than happy to report back so that we're closer to the "truth" (in this case the truth being the parameters that should be used to offer the optimal cartridge alignment with the VPI JMW-9 tonearms):

My measurements of the mounting distance for the JMW-9T confirm the findings in the linked article from vinylengine, at least when it comes to the mounting distance, i.e., it is 222mm, and not 223mm as VPI stated on their website before removing this information altogether. If so, protractors from Mint for this particular tonearm are theoretically not correct since, as Yip indicated, they are machined with the assumption the mounting distance is 223mm and the effective length 240mm to conform to the Baerwald algorithm, which Yip uses for his protractors.

Based on the mounting distance of 222mm (which btw is the same as for the Rega RB-300, which VPI informed me had the same geometry as the JMW-9 tonearms), the effective length under the Baerwald algorithm is 239.5mm and not 240mm, which has been the target for Yip until now. So if my measurements are correct, JMW-9 tonearms set up with the Mint protractor might actually not be set up optimally. How big of a difference are we're talking about? I don't know, but I would very much like to find out.

My protractor will be shipped April 10, and ideally I would like to set up my cartridge using both protractors to compare the result and ultimately determine which one is more correct. If anyone has a Mint protractor made for their JMW-9 tonearm and is willing to participate in this experiment, please contact me.

Actusreus... I'm not sure of or completely clear on the implications your posting on 04-02 might have for someone like me who has a ScoutMaster with the stock JMW9 tonearm and uses/has used the appropriate "9" Mint LP Tractor to set that up. Can anyone clarify as best they know/understand Actusreus' post?

:) listening,

Ed

Istanbulu,

The Mint protractor for the JMW-9 tonearms is made based on the mounting distance of 223mm and effective length of 240mm based on the Baerwald algorithm, which Yip uses for his protractors. The mounting distance of 223mm is what VPI used to officially state on their website before removing it. That's why Mint has been making their protractors based on these numbers. However, the vinyl engine article linked in the first response reports that the actual mounting distance on the JMW-9 is 222mm, not 223. I measured mine and it indeed appears that it is 222mm. This would also comport with what VPI told me in response to my email, i.e., that the JMW-9 has the same geometry as the Rega RB-300, which has the mounting distance of 222mm. If so, the protractor for the JMW-9 tonearm should be made based on the mounting distance of 222mm and the effective length of 239.5mm under the Baerwald algorithm, and NOT 223mm and 240mm, respectively.

That is why I wonder if the JMW-9 protractors are actually correct. Because VPI refuses to reveal the actual measurements, it is difficult to determine exactly what numbers the protractors for VPI tonearms should be made based on. That's why I wanted to try a set-up with both to compare.

Hope this clarifies my previous post.