Mint Tractor

Viper, as Yip would say, if you have only spent 15 minutes adjusting your alignment there is no way it is as good as it can be. Keep trying grasshopper. (OK, the grasshopper part was mine.)

09-16-08: Dan_ed
Viper, as Yip would say, if you have only spent 15 minutes adjusting your alignment there is no way it is as good as it can be. Keep trying grasshopper. (OK, the grasshopper part was mine.)

Is this a sarcasm? So I should take out my cartridge and spend another 2 hour to set it back to where it is right now?

No, not sarcasm. I'm just passing along what Yip told me when I said almost the same thing you did. But that doesn't mean you have to. If you're satisfied that you can't improve on what you have now, or just don't want to try, that is ok. It is entirely possible, though a real long shot, that your VPI tractor helped get your alignment that good. Even so, you will have a much better chance of getting the alignment very good again with the Mint tractor should something change. So don't be too disappointed with your new protractor.

I have seen too many fastidious audiophiles, including Dan and Doug find themselves shocked at the level of sonic improvement an arc-style protractor effected in the sound of their systems.

You may be one of the few exceptions who can actually use a conventional protractor to get the same setup. I'd also place Frank Schroeder in this category - from the dozen or so setups he's done that I've witnessed.

For the rest of us humans, I put my money on Yip's protractor. Thanks to Palasr for pointing us toward Yip.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier

Look!...The way I view it,if I've already spent the kind of money on a really good analog set-up,why would I not want to be absolutely certain it is performing to 100% of it's capability!

Nobody dislikes to play around for anymore set-up hours than me(as of late),since I've had to repack,and re-set quite a few components recently.How much fun does one think it is to "completely" break down a well set up table/arm/cartridge?Only to have to do it again....THREE TIMES...before certain gremlins get ironed out!

Not to mention three different power conditioners going Krakatoa,in very short order(since replaced by the ultra reliable Exact Power stuff)for no apparent reason,other than this hobby better "get with it",in reliability and customer support,or say good-bye to many new hobbyists in the furure...ESPECIALLY at these prices!!!

So,as I view this,even if I've got my Phantom "supposedly" spot on(from my normal approach)why not be absolutely certain?Another "two" hours certainly won't hurt,with the investment I've already made....Btw,I'm sweating,even as I post this!

A fellow I'm familiar with,who sells Phantoms,Dynavector arms,and used to sell the DaVinci arms claims he gets the Phantom perfectly set,by sight,and it is confirmed when he checks this against the WALLY guage(the one made for the Phantom.

I find it hard to believe him,unless his senses have been heightened by maybe getting bitten by a Vampire(the bite supposedly enhances ones senses a TON -:)

In fact,though I LOATHE the thought of going further,I'm beginning to feel that the major reason I was SO impressed with the LP replay on my friend's system,using the Air Tangent arm,was "definitely" due to the absolute perfect set-up,of the important parameters affecting noise/tracking/tracing a groove wall!Ya gotta get a pivot design as accurately as you can.So we can "rationalize" how it's as good as a great Linear Tracker.-:)

As an afterthought(sometimes not a bad thing,if one likes to "ponder")I remember,very well,my asking Sid Marks(the owner of the A/T arm at the time)to play a passage from the Sound Track Album,of the old Broadway Show "Rashamon"!!
This IS an amazing and supremely well recorded disc,containg some rare and highly dynamic percussive instruments.NOT necessarily loud sound effect stuff,but beautiful/articulate music......There is one particular passage that employs one of the musicians drag a small chain across a table top.

This very subtle,yet beautifully precise(you'd have to hear it...if you can "do" it)articulation of the metallic artifice contained in the groove walls,had always been impossible for me to "get" using my old 2.2,and previous early Triplanar design!It always sounded like groove noise,because it was such a "subtle" tinkley sound that had to be voiced into distinction.Very delicate,BUT very distinct in the way the A/T allowed this to develop.

I attempted to reproduce this,with other pivoting arms,in other systems,but no such luck!All the systems utilized SOTA components,and absolutely first rate cartridges!
I've come to realize it was the advantages obtained with the A/T arm that put that passage over the top....

Now that I'm in the process of re-setting up,I'm not taking any chances....If it's gotta be the Mint,so be it.A fraction of the cost of my arm/table/cartridge so...

though I HATE the thought of putting in any more time,other than enjoying collecting and listening to LP's,how am I going to let my pal's have had "one up" on me?-:)

My friend now has moved to a 12.7 inch arm.I think it's time for the "Rashamon Test"!

Best