Technics SL1200: Baerwald or 1200 white gauge?

Think about this: team of Matsushita engineers designed the tonearm and headshell overhang to be 52mm (as per their gauge). Just put you cartridge square in the headshell (use caliper if you want) and measure the distance of 52mm from the connection.

Siniy123

Yeah Siny , that's what I think too
I have mounted many different cartridges on my SL1210 MKII and just now I'm listening it with my loved Grado Statement Master
I never had any problem with distortion or with 52mm. because I use a millimeter paper (we call it "Carta Millimetrata") and I'm able to fix the cartridge at 52.mm exactly .. further I traced two lines 2mm. distanced and I can align the cantilever on the middle line perfectly thank to a powerful magnifying glass.
Since I'm satisfied about the results I always got with this procedure I was curious about the differences with more than the default and Technics tested 52mm.
Assuming there aren't distortions .. are you sure Tvad about the correct soundstage/depth/front-rear perspective of your MintLP setup?
I think that into the Technics factory there are someone who knows how a turntable arm works and how to get the best through an SL1200 arm.
I don't think Technics has problem to make a stupid white plastic gauge 2mm. longer than the well known 52mm. if it performs better.
By the way since 110 USD$ aren't alot of money I have bought today this MintLP Best Tractor
I 'll try this template on my Grado Prestige Gold and I 'll tell you what I 'll get.

So if you want to shoot holes in something you know nothing about, go for it. But please be a lot more intelligent about it.

Dan_ed

Dan , here no one has the "Last Word" on his hand , we all are here debating and exchanging opinion and esperiences just to increase our knowledge .. at zero $ thanks to Audiogon and to EveryOne!

Dan, how dare are you to criticize technics gauge?! it was precision molded on multimillion dollars Swiss made equipment armed by proven rules of divine geometry.
Tvad,
the technics factory aliment sounds that good so, I don't have any need to go to some garage made tool.

Curio,
different aligment will give you different amount of distortion at given distance from spindle, then it was originally intended by Technics designers. Depending on the material, cartridge, diamond profile it could sound better or worst. But, on average, technics default alignment will sound better.

|There is much more involved than overhang.
what more, VTA?
no way you can dial the VTA visually unless you are using some powerful microscope that can focus where your stylus contacts the LP and measure the angle on say computer screen. Dialing VTA using ears is a breeze and very repeatable on Technics.

I seriously doubt that you correct significantly off azimuth. Many today's manufactured cartridges are not properly aligned related to the azimuth. Such cartridge/stylus should be promptly replaced. Manufactures should learn a lesson that we are not going to tolerate this.