Has anyoe had problems using the mint LP tractor

Mordante,

Doug's advice is good, and I'd follow it. Know that the most mechanically "challenging" element of a setup is in achieving the correct geometry. This is where most people are intimidated.

Depending on your arm's other features, you may well be setting up azimuth. This is as much art as it is science. Here's where a good mentor (or the Fremer DVD) will help you.

Over the recent few years, Doug, myself, and others have become impressed with the importance of having a light touch with both tracking force adjustment and anti-skate.

By this, I mean (in the case of tracking force) applying just enough to avoid mistracking. Any more, will compromise dynamics.

The same holds true for anti-skate. Treat getting to this point as a refinement - after you've lived with your setup for a month or more (or until the itch strikes to explore).

VTA is certainly important, but if your arm doesn't have a fine adjustment for this, I wouldn't get too crazy about it. I'd try to get it right (eliminate sibilants), live with it for a while, and then mess with it some more.

If you have an MC cartridge and a phono stage with adjustable loading, it may take you a bit of time to recognize the difference between too high of a VTA setting and too high of a load.

The key is to be patient and treat this as a journey. Don't get totally hung up on the destination and enjoy each new discovery as you make it.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier

...and yes, the VPI 9, and 9Sig uses the same Mint protractor. The only difference between these 2 arms is the wiring - Nordost for the Sig, and Discovery for the regular one.
Stringreen

While you do use the same protractor for both the regular and the signature JMW 9 arms, there are other differences in the two arms than just the wiring. A different arm wand, fine adjustment for VTF, and an oil damping well too.

I forget where I saw the original post, but I found this to be more helpful than the Peak Loupe when using the Best Tractor:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/bausch-lomb-linen-illuminated-coddington.html

I admit the build quality is not that great, but I was able to position this easier than the Peak on my setup.

I have had good results with the Best Tractor... especially with those unusually long LP's made with VMS-8x cutting computer.

Using a loupe or magnifying glass to check stylus angle, etc. is always a problem for me. First, my eyesight isn't what it used to be and second the circumference of a loupe makes it difficult to fit into the angle of the cartridge and turntable (at least for me).

My solution was to purchase a pen microscope with 25X magnification. It is, as the name suggests, about the size of a pen so I can maneuver it into tight places and the 25X magnification - you can get higher - helps my old eyes.