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MintLP Protractor for the JMW-9T tonearm

I was just about finished with my order of a MintLP protractor for my Scout's JMW-9T tonearm when an issue with the geometry of this particular tonearm arose. Yip from MintLP at first assumed the tonearm was the regular JMW-9, which has the same effective length as the Signature version. When I sent him a link to the description of the 9T from the VPI website to make sure he knew it was the upgraded version, he said he had made a mistake as the description stated that the 9T had the same geometry as the Rega RB-300 and could be dropped onto any Rega armboard. He suggested I contact VPI to get a definitive answer about the 9T.

So I did contact VPI and they responded that the 9T indeed has the same geometry as the Signature and the same as the Rega. So I'm now a little confused why Yip seemed to think the Rega RB-300 and the JMW-9 have different effective lengths? Is anybody familiar with the above mentioned tonearms and can confirm either way to settle this? I'd hate to waste over $100 on a custom made protractor if it's made on a wrong assumption.

Thank you.
actusreus
actusreus OP
733 posts
 
Istanbulu,
To provide you with an update:
-I contacted VPI and Mike informed me that the JMW-9T (and all JMW 9s) has the mounting distance of 223mm. So your protractor is spot on.
-I measured the distance on my rig again, and although it is very hard to measure it perfectly, it appears that it is indeed 223mm. It is rather strange as I was getting a consistent reading of 222mm before, but it might have been the height difference between the pivot and the spindle.
-My protractor will be sent with the April 29th batch and I am looking forward to using it.

Throughout this whole process, Yip has been extremely helpful, patient and quick to respond to any concern or question I had. I am very impressed with his level of customer service and professionalism.
istanbulu
291 posts
 
Yes, Yip is one of the good guys in this business. Let me know how things progress, and thanks for the updates on the measurements.

:) listening,

Ed
actusreus OP
733 posts
 
I thought I'd provide an update as I received my Mint Tractor this past weekend and used it to realign the cartridge on my Scout.

I performed the initial set-up with the VPI-provided jig. When I checked the alignment with the Mint, the null points appeared to be aligned quite well, although I did not check it with the magnifying glass that came with the Mint. With bare eyes, the stylus looked to be pretty spot on on both null points. However, the cartridge DID NOT track the arc on the Mint properly; the stylus was about 1 to 2 mm in front of the arc close to the spindle. It is apparent then that the VPI jig does an ok job, but is definitely not precise enough to provide an optimal set-up. It took me over an hour to fix the position of the cartridge so that the stylus was sitting perfectly on the line along the entire arc drawn on the Mint, checked with the magnifying glass. And that was only half of the job!

The cantilever appeared to be pretty well centered and parallel to the two reference lines on both sides of the null points. I decided not to get into perfect alignment on the null points as I ordered the VPI Classic after I had ordered the Mint Tractor and will have to do it all over again with the new table. Also, the cantilever on my Soundsmith Aida is not perfectly parallel to the sides on the cartridge's body, so even though perfectly straight, I wasn't sure a perfect alignment between the two reference lines was even possible with the cantilever. However, it looked really good all things considered.

I then went through an extensive listening session. There was no doubt the realignment improved things. The separation of instruments improved, as did the depth and width of the soundstage. Music had a snap to it that it lacked before; it simply sounded more lively and more dynamic. Now, I'm not talking a dramatic difference; I loved the sound before, but now it became more refined. I had a sense that the Aida was also tracking better as I didn't hear distortion where I heard it before on some problematic passages on certain records.

I will no doubt be buying a new Mint tractor for the Classic tonearm. Now, if anyone would like to take this one off my hands, please let me know. It's a must-have tool for a vinyl lover.
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