Which Protractor Should I Use?

[Andrew Heck]

Hey there all,
I have just installed the much lauded 8MZ to kickstart my Grado Black and after all the hype I'm not completely sold. I have a feeling that you could align this stylus extremely well and it would still want perfection. I've tried Stevenson and Lofgren B in a plug in generator where I lied about the inner and outer groove values to nail the 222mm and 15mm overhang specs that are stock with my Sansui turn table, The stylus traces to the outside of the arc in the middle, but nails it at the start and end. I swear that the cantilever is as aligned as it can be by eye at both null points. Some records still sound off and I get a little distortion. What am I doing wrong? Should I plug in the actual groove values and adjust to the overhang generated? X and Y axis both measure out exactly so I don't understand not tracing the arc. Please advise and help.

 

[ConradH]

If you use a "plug-in" generator, hopefully mine, stop with the lies! Forget those published numbers and believe what the template generator tells you. The math is perfect and well established. The pivot to spindle distance determines everything, so measure it yourself. Or, use the published numbers and quitcherbitchin if you don't like the sound.

 

[Andrew Heck]

If you use a "plug-in" generator, hopefully mine, stop with the lies! Forget those published numbers and believe what the template generator tells you. The math is perfect and well established. The pivot to spindle distance determines everything, so measure it yourself. Or, use the published numbers and quitcherbitchin if you don't like the sound.

So, step one, stop my bitchin’, and, step two is to plug in the pivot to spindle length with accurate inner and outer groove measurements and take the overhang that is generated. Alrighty!

 

[Andrew Heck]

If you use a "plug-in" generator, hopefully mine, stop with the lies! Forget those published numbers and believe what the template generator tells you. The math is perfect and well established. The pivot to spindle distance determines everything, so measure it yourself. Or, use the published numbers and quitcherbitchin if you don't like the sound.

You were right. Thank you.

 

[ConradH]

It is, but one must use the template generator or not use it. Trying to mix methods usually leads to trouble or at least uncertainty. It's kind of like my chili recipe. If you substitute ingredients I can't guarantee the results.

 

[WaynerN]

With a 222mm spindle to pivot center, there isn't any known alignment that will produce a 15mm overhang.

 

[Andrew Heck]

With a 222mm spindle to pivot center, there isn't any known alignment that will produce a 15mm overhang.

Actually pretty embarrassed to admit it, but 222 is the length of the tone arm. Pivot to spindle came in at 205 which generated an overhang of 19.099. I went with that and it sounds much better.

 

[WaynerN]

Hey, no problem. We all have learned by our own mistakes or misunderstandings. Not all lessons are in a classroom. Welcome aboard to the skool of cartridge alignment!!!!

With respect,

Wayner