Mint Tractor

Mark,that was a GREAT and apparently convincing post!!I might just have to "hate" you for it -:)

I think it may just have pushed me over the top regarding relying only on my Graham set-up tools(which are quite good,btw).I've been happy to rationalize this stock method as just fine,but am having my doubts if "it" cannot be bettered.

I say this because using my stock Graham alignment procedure(with my new Phantom II) means eyeballing the arm in a parallel position,in order to get the arm-tube's "alignment hole" in the proper position,for spindle to pivot distance.

The tube's alignment hole fits over the spindle attachment tool even if the tube's being perfectly parallel is slightly off(I'm talking about only a couple of degrees)but from what I am "learning" even "that" is going to be audible.

The bearing can shift a little,in order to accomodate this position,so one must be careful (to avoid any feeling of a shifting)and I've got it very well set-up this way.Also,the cartridge is not on the tube yet,and further alignment is done with the provided jig(once tightened up,this jig is very good).It still works quite well....Yet....

How can I know for sure if the tube is absolutely parallel,just by locking it into the provided spindle pivot alignment tool?A very slight shift in parallel would "still" be enough for the spindle pivot attachment to fit into the arm hole anyway,but though this is accurate,I doubt it can get us to where the Mint(or Wally) can.

I doubt "this" distance can be as precise as the "Mint",because the arm would have to be up quite high using the vta tower,in order to align the tube in a parallel fashion over the arm-tube's set up hole.How can one know if it is actually EXACT,and 100% parallel. The slightest angle shift(even if the spindle tool fits into the hole)will mean an error.Right?.....DRATS,I really don't care to play around anymore,but I can't rationalize laziness either,and I LOVE being lazy.I DO love Graham's uniquely considered method!!

For those using Graham's method,don't get me wrong!!It's a very easy way to get set up "accurately",but this IS AUDIOGON!!!...Home of the "Exactitudinals"!

If anyone can come up with any way to guarantee the spindle-jig/arm-hole alignment method on a Phantom can be made to be as accurate as utilizing something like the MINT,I might be persuaded to shell out a nice orig. pressing "Merc" or "Decca" as a reward.I'm THAT lazy,these days!! -:)

Best

Please forgive me folks for the numerous typo errors in my last post. I'm a great speller, but a poor typer, and usually never spell check until "after" I hit send.

One mistake I made, and I want to further elaborate, like others have advised, I felt no need to have to tape the Mintlp Protractor to Platter.

A tip for you VPI folks I've noted, do remove your little Rubber Spindle Washer, the Tractor will then lay perfectly flat on the Platter.

For the HW-19 folks, what I did, instead of wedging the underside of Platter to Plinth, and worrying about marring my shiny new Custom Black Acrylic Plinth, I wedged a small Cube of Magic Eraser in between Platter, and Motor Pulley Cover.

Just earlier "I had to pull out the heavy artillery", yanking out a brand new LP I've never yet played on my system, The Pure Pleasure Re-Issue of SRV-Texas Flood.

Wasn't looking so much to evaluate my earlier alignment efforts, but just enjoy a bit of music

Of course Texas Flood was previously cleaned with a 4-step AIVS process, and VPI 16.5 before Stylus ever touched the Vinyl. I must say this LP really sounded killerwith such lead guitar "bite", yet not at all harsh-thin, or stringent. I'm beginning to feel that my system is starting to leave the realm of what I call "mid-fi", with much better refinement. I now can say without reservation, that my ZYX Airy 3X sounds "airy"!

Thanks to Doug, Mehran, and the others who know about, and review such equipment here. My ZYX was a very wise purchase.

Sirspeedy, Please forgive me for being "Phantom Dumb", but I'm sure there's folks here who can be of better help than I with good advice. I'm sure as others with much better Tables-Arms-Cartridges than I, such as Dan-Ed, Doug, and many others will attest, the Mintlp Protractor will pleasantly enhance your analog rig. Mark

Mark,actually I wasn't targeting you for an accurate Phantom "rap".I understand your input was a bit more general,but very good no doubt!It really got me thinking.

Instead I was kind of fishing for anyone "kinda" understanding where I was coming from,regarding the already very good,but maybe not the "best" way to "do" a Graham Phantom(or 2.2) set up,if one desires to go to the max.

Actually,to be more specific....do any Graham owners use a more specific method,other than the supplied set-up tools?

Specifically,if so,do you feel the Mint or Wally has resulted in an audible improvement over the original tools,already provided by Graham?

This would be of interest to myself,and I assume other happy Graham owners.

A small part of me is hoping for "no" replies(a first)since they would mean I'm "really" going to have to do more sweating and work.

Best

Speaking of typos. In my previous post, 0.5mm lines are actually 0.25mm lines. The line width comparison doesn't change.

Sirspeedy
Regarding the excellent Graham jigs for the Phantom arm.
I made a few comments about the jigs through out the Feikert Analogue Protractor thread starting at 06-30-08.

Briefly, ever so carefully using the Graham cartridge jig, end results were close but not spot on.
I would have never of known this if I did not use the Mint tractor to check set up against the Graham jig.

With final set up using the Graham jig I found your simply relying on line of sight which result in an error in set up, for me anyway.

Also I believe different cantilever lengths in the Graham jig could also slightly throw off final set up.

I understand there has been a slight up date to the series two Phantom cartridge jig, a target line of sort for a reference guide.

Sirspeedy, even with the series two Phantom jig, the money spent on the Mint tractor for piece of mind would be money well spent....Double checking and getting precise alignment of your cantilever and stylus will have enormous sonic benefits.