Cartridge alignment

[freem]

Just how exact do we have to be with cartridge alignment. I mean are we talking fractions of mm here.
I think I have mine pretty well set up using my Polaris guage but should I be more critical.
What do you use to set up yours. Has anyone tried the more expensive guages such as the Dr Feickert or Mint lp.

[hifi_dave]

If your arm is positioned correctly - pivot to turntable spindle and you align the cartridge using a protractor recommended for the arm, that's all there is to it really. That is except for the VTA and azimuth etc. It's possible to get too anal about these things.

The Feickert thingy is more for the professional, regularly fitting different arms where you havenit got the template or protractor.

[baron]

Hi use this:

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk320/baron103/DSC_0002-1.jpg

Only because I picked it up at a very good price on this forum,:):)
and I have the use of 4 turntables.;)

[Mike Reed]

That is one very interesting-looking gadget ! I imagine, though, that it's fairly specific to your arm. By comparison, my SME stuff is primitive.

[hifi_dave]

That is one very interesting-looking gadget ! I imagine, though, that it's fairly specific to your arm. By comparison, my SME stuff is primitive.

See post no.2

The Feickert is a 'universal' template/protractor. It is expensive ( £200-300 )and only of use if you are fitting different arms and cartridges on a regular basis. Your SME comes with excellent tools to enable you to fit and set up the arm with minimal fuss.

[DSJR]

I bet the Linn Slinky retails at much the same price.. Someone "borrowed" ours and never gave it back!!!!!!!!!

[baron]

As Dave said it is expensive, but I got it for a lot less than that.
I see there is a new version out now.

http://http://www.angelsoundaudio.co.uk/asbrands/page20/page20.html

Here's a review of my one.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/vinyl/vinyl.html

[misterharrison]

Anyone here have experience of the Mint LP Best Tractor?
Not as expensive as the Dr Feickert, but seems to be well thought out and well made. I'm considering splashing out...

http://www.mintlp.com/best.htm

[Magna Audio]

I use the A/B position one on vinyl engine. Do it right and it will be accurate enough.

[freem]

Anyone here have experience of the Mint LP Best Tractor?
Not as expensive as the Dr Feickert, but seems to be well thought out and well made. I'm considering splashing out...

http://www.mintlp.com/best.htm

I bought a best tractor a few weeks ago. Total cost about £70.
The logic of it seems to make sense and he is a nice bloke to deal with.
I think it works well although I got kind of lost in the process because I had too many things going on around the same time- new preamp, new phono and then a Mike New bearing.
Recommended then, well thought out and well made.

[misterharrison]

I bought a best tractor a few weeks ago. Total cost about £70.
The logic of it seems to make sense and he is a nice bloke to deal with.
I think it works well although I got kind of lost in the process because I had too many things going on around the same time- new preamp, new phono and then a Mike New bearing.
Recommended then, well thought out and well made.
Thanks - I just pinged him an email, but got an 'on holiday' auto-reply.
Guess I'll have to wait!

[Snoopdog]

Anyone here have experience of the Mint LP Best Tractor?
Not as expensive as the Dr Feickert, but seems to be well thought out and well made. I'm considering splashing out...

http://www.mintlp.com/best.htm


I bought a Mint LP Best Tractor about a year ago, when I bought my TW Raven One tt and Graham Phantom II arm.

Although Graham supply a very easy protractor set up tool with the arm, I found that the Mint LP was even more accurate (you specify the turntable/arm combination when ordering the Mint LP).

It is however, a bitch to get absolutely 'spot on' especially when you are in your fifties and wear varifocals!

The results are very worthwhile and after a couple of hours minutely adjusting, looking through the supplied 10X magnifier and putting enough light on the subject (two adjustable halogen desk lamps are highly recommended, one pointing from each side) to illuminate the stylus tip, cantilever and lines on the mirrored protractor, a very low surface noise can be achieved with your favourite cartridge and there is a security and satisfaction in knowing that your precious investment is tracking at it's optimum capability.

I'm not looking forward to doing it again though!!!!

[Tony G]

I would add my own endorsement of the Mint LP and its purveyor.
My own experience of both echo the comments above.
Excellent product, excellent service, excellent results.
Care, thought, time and patience are required for the best results, but these are amply rewarded by very audible results.
A significant factor is that alignment is done on the cantilever rather than the cartridge body and the alignment marks utilising parallax are very effective for this.