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Why use a super accurate cartridge protractor

In discussions about cartridge setup, there are those who say that unless one has a cartridge setup protractor like the Mint, Wally Tractor, Dennesen, etc. one cannot expect to extract maximum performance from your rig. Then there are those that say that even the best alignment tool still only nets you a position that needs further tweaking by ear. In my case, I've used a Dennesen and a number of downloadable free protractors and have been able to get good results with the free downloads if I took my time to make those little .5mm shifts that make sound pop into best focus. Is the superiority of a Mint or a Wally Tractor because one doesn't have to make those final last tiny adjustments? Is it that the mirror surface is easier on the eyes?
photon46
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
The Mint-and Uni tractor are the only kind which include
the spindle as variable. Mint is specific for a given TT(aka spindle diameter) and tonearm combo while Uni is the so called 'universal tractor'.

Cocoabaroque, I started a new thread 'Tonearm geometry and
setup' with the intention to get answers reg. Bearwald,
Stephenson,etc. 'confusion'. The 'compromises' you are refering to are meant as (our) choice where on the record radius we want the least distortion. This means 'depending'
of the records we own (see Dertonarm's post in the thread
mentioned). My own problem is to understand the different tonearm designs, say,the Japanese preference for Stephenson geometry while 'the rest' seems to prefer Bearwald. Ie our 'choice possibility' will also depend from the used tonearm. I hope Dertonarm or somebody else will address this 'point' or, as I called it elswere the tonearm 'on its
own'.

Regards,
Post removed 
thekong
203 posts
 
I have a Graham Phantom arm, which comes with the cartridge set-up jig. While I don’t have the jig in front of me, IIRC, there are 2 markings (for 2 different alignment curves) roughly around 1mm apart, which is a big difference considering the precision level members are talking about here.

Now, as John Gordon and Dertonarm pointed out in another thread (if I understand correctly), which alignment curve to choose really depends on the inner and outer radii of the groove area, as well as the music piece and, of course, the users’ preference.

So, I really fail to see the need for an ultra precision alignment protractor, as the “best alignment” is probably different for different LPs and individual users. Taking the Phantom arm, I suppose even if I “misaligned” the cartridge and placed it somewhere in between the 2 markings, I would just get slightly different null points than the 2 standard alignment curves. This might, or might not, be a good thing depends on the LP played.

Am I missing anything?
inna
7,751 posts
 
To answer the original question: no reason at all. Unless you can't hear a thing but want to feel like a true purist audiophile.
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
Thekong, The distortions we are talking about are the
opposite of each other. We are of course interested in the least (aka 'minimal') distortion but what about the maximal 'kind'. The so called 'zero points' mean minimal distortion
at those 'points' on the record radius. But there must be
the corresponding max. distortion at some other 'points'.
Well it seems to me that we should worry about those also.
I have never seen any numerical values for those in this forum. It may be the case that while I feel 'proud' about my own selection of the zero points my records are in a
sade state because of my choice?

Regards,
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