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Technics SL1200: standard overhang gauge or MintLP

Hello Guys,

Some days ago I started a thread asking the difference from the cartridge setup on a Technics SL1200 with the stock white gauge and the Baerwald points by other Tractors
Well , as I told to Tvad I bought the MintLP Best Tractor and I tried the new overhang position.
Pratically is about 2.5/3.00 mm forward respect the standard white plastic gauge point so theorically the arm is longer with MintLP setup
I'm listening this new setup and I have to say Tvad was right when he said the sonic result is much better with the MintLP setup
Not only there is much less distortion like Tvad wrote .. but there is a large improvment in soundstage more wide depth and heigh more focus
As quality of sound I'm noticeing better bass quantity just tuneful and splendid heights super fine
I strongly suggest Technics SL12xx owners to buy that MintLP Best Tractor and to reset the cartidge position if done with the standard white gauge

Thanks Tvad for your suggestion

Best wishes to EveryOne

Curio
curio

Showing 5 responses by rotarius

rotarius
431 posts
 
Curio, what type of music were you listening to when you heard the lower distortion?  I found the standard Technics alignment to be the best for classical LPs where lowest distortion at the end of the LP is desirable.  It is also easiest way to get the correct offset angle since you only have to square up the cart in the headshell.  To each his own I guess....
rotarius
431 posts
 
@sbank, you don't need a cart to be rectangular or have parallel sides, all you need is symmetrical sides and a measuring tool like calipers.  I do agree, the cantilever needs to be in line with the cart axis.  Eyeballing with lines on a mirror is less precise, at least with eyes.  I have held on to a technics DD for years (along with others), always liked the Technics alignment (similar to Stevenson) for classical.   
rotarius
431 posts
 
If you need to square up a cart in a headshell why would you not use the precision of digital calipers to measure distance of each side of a cart to the headshell edge?  I am an engineer, I like to confirm with actual measurements rather than eyeing something!
rotarius
431 posts
 
Spencer, the offset angle is precisely set  if the cantilever is straight and cart is square.  Why even buy a cart with a crooked cantilever?  You can easily measure how parallel the cantilever is to the cart axis. How accurate can you get eyeballing with grid lines?  0.1, 0.5, 1 degree accuracy? I cannot quantify that but I do know what 0.5 degree offset error does to tracking error and distortion values.
rotarius
431 posts
 
It's not Stevenson but it's close if you set the Stevenson inner groove radius at 57.5 mm which is then the inner null point. The Technics alignment inner null point is 58.8 mm if I recall correctly. I have set up carts both ways and the difference is not audible to me.  I have no issues with IGD, sibilance or tracking.  I like it for orchestral pieces and for minimizing offset angle error. 
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