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Alignment Snafu? Or?

Hello all, I am about to order another Protractor, this one an Arc Type from Ken Willis over at the Asylum.

Ken has asked if my arm was at 210mm, or 211mm Spindle-Pivot Distance, and taking an actual measurement this evening, I actually find out my arm is mounted at 212mm. So, may I ask what should he make this Protractor for, 212mm? Or no? Will 1mm make a critical difference in accuracy, and sound? I will forward this info to him as well, and see what he says. More input, and advice is of course better. Thanks, Mark
markd51
gregm
3,407 posts
 
MArk, it's important to know the exact spindle-to-pivot distance this arm was designed for. It's part of the overall geometry.
If you're sure it's 211mm, then align to 211. Regards
mjglo
127 posts
 
I think you want the protractor made to your actual mounting distance and adjust overhang accordingly.
narrod
1,064 posts
 
My documentation shows a spindle to pivot distance for the Audioquest arm of 210mm.
markd51 OP
763 posts
 
Hello Narrod/All.
Thanks for the info so far.
The info I have downloaded, and know so far, is a claim of the AQ PT-6 through PT-9 on Vinyl Engine of an effective length of 229mm, mounting distance of 211mm, overhang 18mm. All show null points (Baerwald) at 66.0mm-121.0mm

As has been explained to me, some of these arms were indeed like you say, mounted at 210mm, and perhaps the specific reason, was that one wouldn't run out of Headshell Slots, wouldn't need the Cartridge mounted so far to the end of Slot travel, and have the Cartridge more centrally mounted in the Slots? Just a thought?

To achieve Baerwald alignment with my Turntable Basics Mirror Protractor, and ZYX Airy 3X, I'm just about at the end of the Slot's travel, but can achieve what appears to be dead on alignment with the TB Protractor.

It was like this as well with my Benz Glider, and in fact my previous Benz Glider literally fell apart last year in my hands in two pieces trying to shift it forward far enough when I used the TB Protractor. The Body seperated from the Base, and with it went the Pin Wiring, and Suspension Wire! One drop of Adhesive was all that held the two together, and after 10-11 years, maybe that Adhesive had gotten slightly weak? I didn't apply too much pressure, but was probably trying to shift the Cartridge forward where it just couldn't go due to running out of Slot on the Headshell.

Perhaps, VPI when they drilled the Plinth 12 years ago, did so every so slightly too far? Mark
narrod
1,064 posts
 
Try the Stevenson geometry. It may give you more flexibility with alignment. I have VPI HW-19 and Audioquest arm and find it difficult to optimize setup with Baerwald. I haven't tried Lofgren.
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