How important is Cartridge Overhang? Need help

Dan_ed; I would also consider that the Mink protractor may not be constructed correctly. If the wrong parameters were given or used to set the markings on the protractor that could also account for the problem trying to use it with the Pro-Ject 9cc tone arm. There should be more than enough play in the headshell slots to accomodate a 1.0mm difference in cartridge mounting hole to stylus tip distance. Unless Pro-Ject has recently redesigned the 9 series tone arms, a typical cartridge with 9.5mm mounting holes to stylus tip distance puts the cartridge right in the middle of the slots with almost 3mm of travel fore and aft.

That's why I asked what dimensions were used to create the Mink protractor: Are they the correct dimensions? Using parameters of 212mm spindle-to-pivot distance and a 230mm effective length the cartridge should easily align to a Lofgren A/Baerwald geometry with the Pro-Ject 'arm. And also why I suggested using another protractor with the correct parameters to compare with the Mink protractor. Conrad Hoffman's TemplateGen is a quick way to check. That would indicate if it's the Pro-Ject turntable or the Mink protractor that was possibly mismanufactured.

Until more information is provided all bets are off as to what is causing the problem.

Tom

Hi Wilson,
I used to have a Pro-Ject as well. When I owned it I bought and kept the Sumiko Pro-Ject protractor and alignment kit. This is specially designed to work with Pro-Jects and is what is used when they mount cartridges.

You are welcome to borrow it. Contact me off the thread/forum page and we can make arrangements. I have 3 different protractors and I can definitely say the Pro-Ject works great with "Pro-Jects". And it is easy as well.

By the way, I also have an Ortofon HMC-20 on my Vpi Scout. It is a very nice cartridge and I get excellent sound quality with it. I looked at the mounting holes on it and compared them to my Blue Point Special which is OEM with Projects. The Ortofon stylus is definitely further back and probably needs more "reach".

Keep working on it, it is definitely worth the effort and your ears will thank you. Your records too!

HI Tom. That is very true, and the MintLp is not a universal-type protractor. The actual mounting distance of the arm has not been verified either. If that is off, everything is off. Sure, it will play, but not optimally. Project wouldn't be the first manufacturer to not mount their arm with any kind of precision.

Thanx Hififile if I can figure out how to contact you off thread I will.

Measured everything today and sent photo to Yip. p2s is 212mm.
the measurement from pivot to the tip of the head shell is 235mm not the 230mm posted in spec.and the MHST on the HMC-20 is definitely 8.5mm. I played with the Mint some more last night(for about 2 hours) think I got things a little closer. so now it sits about a mm to the left at the outside or a point and a mm to the right at the other end.just doesn't ever land on both. I'll see what Yip says about the pics.

also Thank You to everyone for you help and suggestions it is very much appreciated

Hi, Wilson667; hopefully things all work out with your Mint protractor. What is the distance from the vertical tone arm pivot to the center of the headshell slots? You should get something around 220-221mm if the effective length is correct at 230mm. (220.5mm + 9.5mm holes-to-stylus = 230mm)

I measured the distance on my Pro-Ject 9 aluminum 'arm and the center of the headshell slots is just over 220mm from the pivot, which is correct for a typical 9.5mm mounting hole-to-stylus distance. It could easily accomodate the 8.5mm distance of the HMC-20.

Tom