Mint Best Tractor still in business?

I see.

When I emailed him, he asked me to measure the distance, and around 257mm was what it looked like to me. Does anyone know what the measurement should be for the latest VPI Classic? According to the VPI site, they're not making the 10.5i tonearm any more. It's now just called the Classic arm.

What tonearm? The JMW10.5i and SE are standard protractors in his 9-Series.

Narticus, 'around 257mm' will not do.If Yip has no data about some arm/TT combo he will ask you even to measure very pricise the spindle diameter of your TT. Those seem to vary 'considarably'. I own 4 Mint tractors made for 4 different tonearms and two TT's. They are very pricise and easy to use.

Narticus,

First, read what Nandric just wrote.

Second, VPI is notoriously reluctant to share technical data about their products. It's one way of keeping customers from buying parts, upgrades and tools (like protractors) from a competitor. Not especially customer-friendly in a DIY-happy world like vinyl but it's a common business practice exercised by many companies in many industries (including the one I work for).

Third, spindle-to-pivot distance is measured from the center of the TT spindle to the center of the axis of horizontal rotation of the tonearm. Estimate to the nearest 0.1mm if you can. Use the finest ruler you can find and measure multiple times with the ruler oriented in both directions. Throw out obviously anomalous results and average the others.

My mistake, Narticus. I assumed Yip would have the numbers for a table as common as a VPI. I didn't know about their secretive practices.