Mint Protractor for the Classic Toneram 10.5i-SE

Yes agreed mine is 258mm as well Classic 3. There is a caveat, if you completely remove the tonearm base, there is a bit of play with the 3 screws and the Plinth, you could move it one way or the other by 1mm or so. I think that is where the 1mm confusion comes from. But that is about it. About 1mm of play based on the pressure you put on the tonearm base as you tighten up the 3 tonearm base screws against the plinth. So based on the pressure you could get 259mm instead of 258mm by applying pressure as you tighten up the screws and you apply the pressure.

Actusreus, I suggest calling VPI. After reading your post, I recalled my email from VPI and my info is correct based on the email from Mike.

With respect to the MintLP, Yip fabricates the protractor based on the information that the "end user" provides him. VPI has confirmed that the info on Vinyl Engine is wrong. I would not be surprised to learn that a lot of MintLP protractors have a S2P distance of 262 based on the incorrect info on VE.

VPI has also confirmed that the overhang is 15mm, therefore, just add that to the S2P distance to get your effective length. S2P 258mm + 15mm = 273mm effective length.

Again, all of the above info comes directly from VPI

I confirm Brf and Captain above with the measurements. I sweated this one out too on the forums and you can probably find the threads in a search. Yip made a Mint for my Classic using these specs and it has worked out great. Yes, it ends up being different than the VPI jig because the geometry Yip uses is a bit different. Which one is correct? Only you can determine, but the Mint works great and will improve your sound due to the accuracy of set up. Yip is a true gentleman and his customer service is outstanding considering he is in Hong Kong.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1304025403&openmine&zzSwanny76109&4&5#Swanny76109 See my earlier thread on this topic. I got 259 mm on my spindle to pivot distance (not 258). Yip confirmed this as correct and that his standard protractor will work. You should measure again to be sure. Be sure the center of the zero line on your ruler rests in the center of the spindle, then put your ruler over the top point of the bearing without stabbing yourself on it (it is sharp). Make your measurement with your sight line straight and clear. You can't be off a mm as you say you might be. You have to measure exactly. Contact VPI if you need more specifics on how to measure.

The VPI jig will produce a different null point than the MintLP because VPI does not use one the 3 generally accepted geometries. Also, the VPI jig is expandable and is not fixed in length; therefore, it is absolutely useless in determining or measuring the correct S2P distance. The S2P distance must be first calculated correctly, and then the VPI jig is adjusted around the bearing housing and spindle.