I finally get it!


I had a long  discourse with VPI after I bought my new Classic 3 Sig SE years ago. The subject was that the S2P distance was off. After over one year of trying to get this resolved, I still received my tt back with this distance 1 mm (long).

I always wondered why there was no forthcoming measurement of the S2P distance. After all, VPI is know to have customers DIY their own tts, based on VPI's own products.

So, VPI offers their set-up jig with new tts. They don't offer any specific measurements for S2P. Someone had to ask on their forums in order to find out. Why?

I now know why. Because, their manufacturing was/is not very precise. So, if their S2P distance was off when the tt left their shop, their own jig (provided) would still keep the S2P distance in a (good enough) range. 

Nice try/trick.
128x128slaw
A arc protractor is free.
As downloaded SW and you put in your specific TT S2P distance.
And you chose what mathematical equation that you want (Löfgren A/B, Bergwall or ..)
Print it out, check distance of the printed result to ensure it is in scale.
Done.

As for azimuth I were one of them that obsessed to get my setup as good as possible. After reading people setting up with special test/calibration records. And with special equipment (fozgometer) or computer software. I also used digital oscilloscope and so on.
Read people that had many different pressings of Denon calibration records + other brands of calibration records. And they come to the conclusion that every single calibration record measure slightly different... And remember supposedly when making a calibration record they hopefully make all the angels setup on the cutting lathe as good as possible.. and we end up with variance anyway..

So should we set up perfectly against one calibration record? What is then the result.. .. that we only have a perfect setup on THAT record that mimics just that particular angle that the cutting head had when it cut just precisely THAT laquer..

So the lesson was azimuth vary from album to album. And if we suppose that the cartridge manufacturer has done as good job that they can do. Then it is just to put your cartridge for azimuth as horizontal as possible. And in a average between albums it will be the best.
(If it is not damage/faulty in any way)
You can always widen the hole a little so you can move the arm in the right direction then tighten it down.
..one thing to add.  When setting the cartridge in the right spot on arc protractors with slotted attachment head, you must be able to make sure the cartridge is square to the arc (or as best as it's possible) or the alignment will be off. That's the reason I use the MINT, it makes this adjustment doable if the instructions are closely followed.
I've had two VPI Tables (Traveler V2 and Super Prime Scout), and while there's a lot to like about them, I also found VPI's dismissive attitude to manufacturing differences (P2S being one, regardless of actual importance, or other one-off changes during a model's lifecycle etc) and overall tolerances too high to take them seriously. Sure you can often bring their tables' back into/near spec once you set them up, but then again why do they ship so many tables out of spec??

Once I had checked out Rega, and now using an SL 1200GR, I'll never buy another VPI again.