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Mint LP provides Stevenson Alignment

First, I happen to own and like a Mint LP protractor, but over the course of time it has become obvious to me that no one up to now has pointed out that it is providing the Stevenson alignment.  I have even read several self appointed  experts here argue vehemently that either Lofgren or Baerwald alignments are far superior to Stevenson, but then go on to equally strongly advocate the use of the Mint LP.  If ever there were an argument that alignment is somewhat over emphasized in our hobby, this is perhaps a good example of the truth of that thought.  Recently I bought a Feickert protractor, which is very easy to use and have tried all the alignments using it.  I can hear differences, but not always, certainly not on every track of every record, and honestly they are all good.  So don't get you pants in a bunch over this trivial issue.
billstevenson

Showing 3 responses by cleeds

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cleeds
5,694 posts
 
millercarbon
All these alignment theories are great for mathematicians because in their imaginary world of intellectual perfections these things matter ... in the real world where we just want records to sound good playing music the reality is it just don't hardly even matter.
That there are various alignment methods, and ongoing debates over which is best, does not mean that precise alignment "just don't hardly even matter." It matters very, very much, especially if you seek low distortion and want to minimize wear on your LPs and stylus.
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cleeds
5,694 posts
 
rauliruegas
Stevenson alignment is absurd if not " stupid " alignment and totally useless for 12" LPs.
Hey Raul - not everyone who disagrees with you is absurd or stupid. Not everyone who agrees with you is smart. Also, an LP is a 12-inch, by definition.
those japanese tonearms that use Stevenson did it only by ignorance of those designers
Again, not everyone who disagrees with you is ignorant or stupid.
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cleeds
5,694 posts
 
billstevenson
... the VPI jig is not a particularly precise device and it is almost impossible to obtain repeatable results using it.
If the results are not repeatable, then it is by definition not precise. That’s not the kind of tool I’d want to be using.
... the alignment on neither side is perfect because of the imperfections of the records anyway. So alignment is all a set of approximations. The irrationality of all the fuss defies any semblance of logic.
That’s not the way I see it; I think it pays to start with as precise an alignment as possible. Consider the benefits of precise four-wheel alignment on your car. Roads aren’t level (they’re usually crowned by design), we don’t drive in straight lines or consistent curves, and roads are full of bumps and irregularities. But a good car handles better when the wheels are correctly aligned, regardless of the road.

In my view, setup is everything with LP playback. It doesn’t matter that virtually no LP is perfect.
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