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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
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,380 posts
 
The reason to get a MINT is for its accuracy. I agree it is very tiresome to do it correctly, however, if accuracy is your goal, that's what needs to be done. Nylon washers will not mount the cartridge solidly to the arm...I use steel to protect the arm head with no deleterious effects. To set up a cartridge is a huge pain...may take a couple of days, but you only do it once.
mauidj
127 posts
 
Nandric...I think you missed my point ;-)
I did say that the Mint was arm/table specific....which it really is...but I guess it is more accurate to describe it as spindle specific.
My point about the db was to balance the posts you mentioned that say it is complicated.
I cannot understand why some people think it is. It just works on a vernier principal. Easy to use and accurate are certainly not mutually exclusive as you suggest. Actually the best instruments and tools are both of the above in my experience. Because they are easy to use one can be more accurate in their use.
As you have not tried a db I would suggest doing so before condemning it as inaccurate or hard to use.
Aloha!
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Precision is mandatory. When we multiply a regular Tonearm by Factor 100, the Arm is about 27.34yd (25m) long, the Cartridge System is about 1.09 yd (1m) high with a Length of the cantilever in the area of 0.55 yd (0.5m) and the contact area from the Diamond is only 0.020 in. (0,5mm) ! Similar is the Mass in comparison. (Another chapter for side wall pressure and diamond polishing...)
A simple example to show what analog reproduction really is ... And why sonic performance can be improved with some care and the right tool.
But honestly, buying new cartridges - and writing about it - create more fun...
fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith
938 posts
 
I only know that with a Mint and a USB microscope and a Fozgometer/Ultimate Analogue set up record and a lot of patience and chill, I am getting incredible sound out of a Benz Glider SLO mounted on a VPI Classic. If you want to enjoy vinyl to the fullest, you have to really sweat the last 2% of the details to the utmost degree.
cocoabaroque
36 posts
 
Are we not taking it on faith that the great masters of cartridge alignment(!)--Lofgren, Baerwald, Stephenson, etc knew what they were doing even though they disagree amongst themselves? Are audiophiles ready to admit that Rega's (mis)alignment scheme is different from them all yet still sounds fantastic on their current generation of tables? Methinks a paradigm shift is in order here. Geometry is a perfect and exact science, but cartridge alignment is not so perfect. Just as the violin luthier's exact measurements does not produce a Stradavarius, but a skilled craftsman can approach the Strad sound using his experience and creativity. There is still a chasm between art and science-- and music is art.
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