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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
lewm
13,777 posts
 
Thom, I haven't made any meaningful conclusions in years.  Most of my conclusions are inconclusive.  However, I do think that if we think we can set up a tonearm within less than an +/-0.5mm margin of error, we are kidding ourselves.  By the way also, where did I say that I have any particular allegiance to the Feickert protractor?  I also own a UNItractor from you know who in Germany.  It's capable of a higher level of accuracy, but it's quite fussy to use.  Thus I sometimes use the Feickert when push is coming to shove.  I've got no beef with an arc protractor either.  

Seems to me that a very slight error in implementing Lofgren A/B or Baerwald, or Stevenson, one that still results in two null points on the surface of the LP, is not going to make a huge difference in one's experience of the sound thus derived.  I would be receptive to a contrary argument that is based on science.
fleib
1,124 posts
 

Chakster mentioned Feickert in OP.  Great device based on the Dennison Soundtractor, gets excellent results as long as it's used properly. 

One thing often overlooked - an arc protractor is only accurate if your mounting distance is perfect (factory).  If the factory is mounting an arm they didn't make, you might want to check it with a conventional protractor. 

**Seems to me that a very slight error in implementing Lofgren A/B or Baerwald, or Stevenson, one that still results in two null points on the surface of the LP, is not going to make a huge difference in one's experience of the sound thus derived.**

+1  Although it depends on resultant nulls.

Chakster,

I bet you'll wind up with Loefgren alignment.  Both nulls are within the recorded part of a 7".  Error will be much less through most of song.  Stevenson will be better at the end, but much worse up until there.

cleeds
6,275 posts
 
fleib

Chakster mentioned Feickert in OP. Great device based on the Dennison Soundtractor, gets excellent results as long as it's used properly.

Both of those protractors are flawed because they assume the cantilever is perfectly aligned within the cartridge, which is quite often not the case. That's why I prefer a mirrored protractor that actually aligns the cantilever.
rauliruegas
13,129 posts
 
Dear @lewm : """  within less than an +/-0.5mm margin of error, """, that's almost the overhang diference between Löfgren B and Baerwald. 

If we made an accurate overall cartridge/tonearm set up with either Löfgren or Baerwald it´s almost imposible that you or anay one else can  detect differences in the quality level performance. Against Stevenson things could be diferent because higher set up differences in the main parameters and with higher distorions overall Stevenson.

In both cases we can make it more " easy " if we know what to look for in the tests listening process.

Now, all we need is the MINT LP that's a dedicated protractor for the TT/tonearm/cartridge and for only 100.00. Makes no sense to spend ( because  is not an investment. ) any little dime over that cost because we can't achieve in true any single advantage but more " problems " for those expensive protractors you own or other people owns.

As a fact and I posted several times about no one of us should spend a single dime in protractors if the tonearm manufacturers takes its own/self critical responsability with their customers to delivery the tonearm with an ACCURATE  and user friendly protractor !!!!!, it's his responsability not us one but we are the ones that already liberated them from that main manufaturer responsability. 

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

Cleeds, My Dennison has alignment lines for the cantilever and I believe the others also have this. I also have a mirrored protractor and results are the same.

Raul, An arc protractor is great if and only if mounting distance is in exact agreement with specification. Otherwise it's useless. The other protractors mentioned are based on where the pivot is actually located, not where it theoretically should be.

Why spend $100 on a Mint? You can go to Conrad's site and generate one for free.

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