Mint LP provides Stevenson Alignment

billstevenson OP157 posts
02-04-2019 7:05am
"If you don’t specify a specific alignment when ordering Yip will provide you with designer intended alignment for your specific tonearm."

Not according to Yip. I asked and he told me his protractors are supplied using the Stevenson alignment model. Full stop.

Interesting. I first ordered a Mint tractor from Yip in 2008, when I asked what he generally uses, he said
" Far as possible I use Baerwald. More or less it has been proven by the many users feedback I have so far received.
Loefgren gives a better performance at the outer circles. But as it goes to the inner 70mm and closer, the magnitude of distortion creeps in."

That said in 2009 when I had him do a tracytor for my Pioneer Exclusive P10 / P3 - he said Stevenson without me asking.

What tonearm do you use Bill?       or perhaps he has changed his views, or more like he has a more detailed database to do what generally sounds better.

I have always found that the alignment that the manufacturer designed his tonearm with sounds best - Graham with the unique Graham jig, VPI with his unique alignment and jig - Japanese tonearms in gerneral - Stevenson.

cheers

those japanese tonearms that use Stevenson did it only by ignorance of those designers of what I posted here to bimasta.

Really Raul.

I have tried my P3 and P10 with Baer and Uni-din alignment.  I prefer the sound of Stevenson with these two Japanese tonearms.

perhaps it not the Japanese that are ignorant :-)

rauliruegas9,055 posts02-05-2019 7:52am@downunder : Perhaps not?, I have no doubt: do you? because is you who like it higher distortion levels in the 97% ! of the recorded grooves ! ! that you listen it and maybe not the 97% but 100% %.

Good for you ! !

R.

ROFL. I also own the Thales Simplicity 2 tonearm that makes all the alignment choices a complete joke as it has no tracking distortion.

As I said, I prefer overall the sound of the alignment that the tonearm designer used - Stevenson in the Exclusive P3. I can hear the added bite/distortion in the first track of so of Stevenson alignment, but it’s pleasant ( not distorted at all) and much preferable overall to Baer alignment in this tonearm, despite the BS about higher distortion figures.

You go on and on about the distortions of the 30K SAT tonearm, yet many buyers love the sound and reviewers go gaga over it.

Perhaps you should do some listening instead of looking at distortion charts :-)

btw - What alignment does the SME 3012-R have. Superb sounding tonearm and craps all over my Graham Phantom - it luvs the heavy Dyna XV-1s.

@billstevenson 

Hi Bill. thanks for the reply.

  Given the 3 tables you mention, logic dictates Yip used Stevenson. the VPI alignment jig, Harry says its designed to have the least distortion in the last 3rd of the LP so similar to Stevenson.  As we all know the last 3rd is the hardest part of any LP to track and play, hence why having the least distortion in alignment curves imo is the most important aspect ( despite our mexican friend not being able to hear as he only listens to specs, not music) 

  At some stage, it might be fun to use the VPI alignment jig to see if you still prefer the Mint Stevenson alignment.

cheers