Mint Tractor

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

This thread has been a godsend in a way, let's not get thin skinned folks, and make people afraid to post with thoughts of insinuated sarcasm. I didn't see any in my eyes, and that's the truth, and I agree with Yip, if you ran through your Alignment in 15 minutes, you might have done a inadequate job.

With all the nigerian scam artisty scares, one would probably think Yip, 1/2 way around the world would be somebody to be apprehensive of. In truth, Yip emailed me all along, asked quite a few questions, even did research by himself about whether my AQ PT arm was indeed set at 211mm, as he must've read threads-posts to the contrary, or other research, which led him to think that I was actually set at 210mm. I assured him I wasn't, and only then did he proceed. He showed an individual interest to make sure I would get what I was paying for, and would be a happy customer in the end, which I am.

This man evidently wants to keep a good name for himself, and provide us folks with a really exceptional Protractor, which will hopefully exceed all others.

I would like to see this thread remain alive, not die, and then poor Yip take the brunt of some dissention, or in-house fighting arguments.

I just mentioned in another thread on A-Karma, about how Cartridge alignment is either one of two things, it is either right, or it is wrong. Should you decide with a lesser means of aligning you Cartridge, one essentially is playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Mark

Conversing with Yip several times I realized early on the man is MOST definitely interested in his customers and what his product can do.... Not just making a sale and simply forgetting about you.

Yes this is a minor purchase however I'm sure everyone here has a tale to tell concerning don't care sales staff including audio store owner's and manufactures.

Some people just don't understand what good customer relations can do for their sales and business.

Yip understands it well as does Thom Mackris of Galibier and Jeffery Canalano of High Water Sound, just to name a few.

Myself ,after a long 14 month search for a new record player and other components I was happy it finally came to an end.

On a different note Viper Z comments above that he found the initial set up of his cartridge using the VPI protractor to be correct compared to the Mint, for over hang anyway.

The supplied precision built jigs for my Graham Phantom arm are well above a VPI protractor.

The MintLp arc tractor is another step beyond the Phantom cartridge jig.

I can only guess at the time frame I spent lugging my table out to a suitable work area, re-leveling the table including preparation before using the Mint.

I can tell you it was more then 15 minutes.

Viper check your set up again....

As of lately, Yip has to be swamped with orders. Seems many analog aficianados are now odering the MintLP. I know everyone that has bought one is very well pleased with the product and service that come with the MintLP. I wish Yip continued and well-derserved success. What a great product, at a great price, thanks, Yip!

Dan