Uni-Protractor Set tonearm alignment

Dear Thom: +++++ " Up until this point, I have been recommending arc protractors for owners of all tonearms with adjustable headshell slots. The Mint combines availabilty and high quality. " +++++

I don't know how to tell this but IMHO it is a MAIN responsability of a tonearm manufacturer supply his customers that paid/pay multi K dollars for the tonearm with an accurate protractor in a way that we customers don't have to worried in any sense on that whole subject.

In the other side that a tonearm distributor ( like you ) support customers with advise on after market protractors could means that that manufacturer tonearm target about protractors are not achieved.

This fact is pity for we customers. This subject is like when you go to buy a car ( any ) then you paid for it but guess what?: your car comes with out tires, obviously that this makes no sense and certainly you or any one of us never be willing to buy a car with out tires or engine: so then why we accept that that tonearm comes " incomplete " ( with out tires/engine. ) and no one said a word about ( including audio distributors/sellers. ) but instead of make a claim to the tonearm manufacturer we are willing and exited and happy to buy/bought not only one after market protractors but several ones.

Maybe it is time that we customers could think to charge the tonearm manufacturer/seller where we buy/bought it the price for at least one after market protractor or ask to them that supply an accurate protractor with the tonearm we are buying.

I know that some of those tonearm manufacturers are reading this thread and I think their thoughts in the subject is a mut to and welcome!.

What do you think about?. Btw, I posted in a thread started by DT similar " worries ".

Btw, +++++ " So an experiment using the Unitractor and the Mint (note that I did not use the word "shootout") would have more validity. " ++++++

could be a learning exercise.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

I find that the card style arc protractors are very accurate and perform better and are easier to use than other types of protractors. I have the Talea version one with the card style arc protractor provided and I feel that my cartridge is dialed in great. I have thought about getting the Mint protractor but not really sure that it would improve on what I have. It is doubtful though that I would ever justify $700 for a protractor unless I was changing arms and cartridges frequently.

Dear Raul,

as I am very keen with the Automotive industry I know that a lot of money is made in the After Sales Market. So why not in the Audio Industry? You are right usually you need to have some good tiers on your car when you pick it up at your dealer. But when you decide to equip it with flat runs you pay an exgra charge - if you are willing to do so.

I hope you have a good car at home :-)

Dear Raul,

I don't disagree with you, but at the same time you have to accept the fact that we live in an ever specialized world. There are people like Dertonearm, Yip, etc. who spend their time focusing on protractors.

People like Frank Schroeder, Bob Graham, Tri-Mai, Joel Durand, et. al. spend their time thinking about, and improving their tonearm designs. I'd prefer that they do this, in light of the superlative aftermarket alternatives in alignment tools.

In my setup experience, the most difficult geometrical parameter involves getting the pivot-spindle distance correct. The machined indexing bar that Joel provides, along with Bob Graham's method are but two excellent solutions to this problem, and both give you an excellent head start on the alignment process.

Joel had considered the idea of providing a Mint protractor with the tonearm, but we see examples above of individuals who cannot relate to this wonderful tool.

So, rather than dictating the the tool to his customers, he provides them with an arc protractor printed on card stock. It serves as a no-risk introduction to his customers. If they don't relate to it, there's no loss. I recommended this solution to him, as my customers have responded very positively to this approach.

I think you know that nothing is free, and if he were to provide a Mint protractor it to his customers, it would still be accounted for in the pricing structure. Even with an OEM arrangment, the nature of markups mean tha the customer would pay more for the Mint than by buying it direct.

As you can see, there are people like Dmailer who see no reason to go beyond the card stock protractor. Can they do better? Likely. Do they care? Obviously not.

As manufacturers, it's not our position to dictate, but rather to recommend.

Would I criticize a tonearm manufacture from providing sophisticated alignment system with their tonearm? Absolutely not! Would I criticize them for not providing one? Same answer.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier

Dear Raul, while I share your opinion that a tonearm designer have to supply a protractor with his tonearm which does fulfill the designer's concept and should ensure the perfect function and geometry of the tonearm, I likewise share the opinion's of Thuchan and Thom_mackris.
An individual protractor for a given pivot tonearm is always just ONE option. There is no single geometry for a given pivot tonearm which is best under ALL possible requests and conditions.
A fact which alone justifies the existence of "UNIversal protractors" as well as specialized "individual templates" supplied by the "aftermarket".
More later.
Cheers,
D.