mirror protractor

jazzbeq · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 12:10 am Post subject: mirror protractor

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

anyone use on of these? are they good?

Thanks for your help!

XTRProf · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:05 am Post subject:

Any alignment protractor that takes into account of your tonearm length and that follows the 2 preferred alignments will do. Don't need to be the most expensive. All these others are just slightly better variations of the basic protractors.

JaS · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:10 am Post subject:

Hi,
Arc protractors are quick and easy to use, but you have to get the mounting distance spot when you mount the arm or alignment accuracy will suffer. A two point protractor designed for the same null points is more forgiving because mounting distance is less important; as long as there is room in the headshell to align to both points you have the correct alignment.

It's an interesting product but It would be nice to know what null points they are using, manufacturers, Baerwald, Loefgren or Stevenson? It's a pretty crucial piece of information to leave out.

FWIW The comment about 'no more inner-groove distortion' should be taken with a pinch of salt - a pivoted arm will always have tracking error and distortion - the only place you get zero tracing error is at the null points Wink

Regards,
JaS

Brian C. · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 11:09 am Post subject:

I use this from Turntable Basics...

20 bucks.

Brian.

davidsss · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 11:21 am Post subject:

I have the same one and having the mirror is useful. Mind you my current arm, a Stax UA7, has a little dot on the headshell which you line up the diamond to, this is supposed to align the cart. I tried this, checked it with the plastic Ortofon protractor I have and it was spot on so it seems to work. The mirror protractor seems to have the same alignment as the Ortofon which I think is Baerwald. One of the more useful uses for the mirror protractor I have found is for azimuth. With a mirror you can really see if the cart is level, it does make this more obvious.

DS
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My System: Micro Seiki BL51 Turntable, Stax UA7 Tonearm, RCM Sensor Prelude Phono Stage, Blue Angel Mantis Cartridge, Rotel RCD865BX Cd Player, Melody I34R (Astro Black 40) amp and Osborn Epitome Speakers.

andyr · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 11:49 am Post subject:

gold928 · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 3:18 pm Post subject: Mirror Protractor

I've used a protractor called Cart-a-Lign for years. It looks like a boomrang and uses a mirror. I've tried most available protractors(including a Dennesen) and this is by far the most effective. One can be as precise as one wants, but also can be relatively quick. What I REALLY like about this protractor is that it aligns the needle, NOT the cartridge body. This protractor was made in the 80's, but I recently seen one on eBay. After contacting the individual, the seller was the man's daughter. Her father is an engineer and stopped making the protractor, but the daughter stated that they were testing the demand, and planned to make the protractor again. Those of you who have this device, I have the original instructions.

Seb · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 5:54 pm Post subject:

could you post pictures ?
and the instructions ?

protractor is my passion Wink

best regards

Seb

gold928 · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 2:11 am Post subject: Mirror Protractor

Rats! Seb you got me. I'm shy about posting, I like to read better than I like to post. Two posts is my norm for two to three months. I've never had any luck posting pictures. I have made a picture. If you send me your email address, I'll send the picture and the instructions. By the way, I still have the address of the Protractor's designer. He might make so more!!!

jazzbeq · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 2:22 am Post subject:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/freestuff.htm

there is a protractor from enjoythe music, is it good, will try it this week!

bye

Seb · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:43 am Post subject:

Seb · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:47 am Post subject: Re: Mirror Protractor

ProfTournesol · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:56 am Post subject: Re: mirror protractor

kelso · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 6:29 pm Post subject:

Thought I should weigh in with my 2 cents on the mint tractor.
I've used it recently and found my previous setting to be about 1-1.5mm out which was with the Feickert protractor. This I feel could be due to a few factors:
- firstly, the mint is table specific and fitted so well around the spindle that I had a problem removing it (I was sweating it because it was made of glass and was afraid that it might drop and crack itself on the mat). A protractor that has some play around the spindle could definitely put your settings out of alignment (as was the case with the Feickert which was actually quite a good protractor but fitted better with my previous table)
- secondly, the lines are very fine and well drawn (think its laser etched), you'd definitely need to use at least a x10 magnifier. Even under x30 magnification the lines showed no distortion.
- third is its mirror finish and the ability to eliminate parallax error, plus also the fact that its made from glass I felt that it reflected more light and hence provided for a brighter field of view than the plastic one that came with my arm.

JaS · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:24 am Post subject: