[orthobiz]

I have a new 10.5i that I am fitting to my (John's) HW-19 Mk III. A setup jig is supplied, it seems to put the Spindle To Pivot point (STP) at 258mm.

I think Sonny used the same distance on his custom rig with this arm. The Vinyl Engine site has a chart from VPI that says 262mm STP. But elsewhere in some VE threads it implies 256mm.

I have a temporary setup at 258 that sounds pretty good with my moving iron Grado. (No John, haven't put the damping fluid in just yet...)

Anyone with a Classic: can you take the arm off and measure the distance? Hey Wayner, your handy paper arm gauge doesn't reach that far...

Paul

[orthobiz]

Here's a pic:
BTW I'm using an arm board supplied by a fellow AC'er as a freebie. It came with a lot of holes!


If the 258 turns out to be the number I'm gonna be reluctant to make another mounting. I have a new arm board waiting in the wings. After all, I have other TT's to check out...

Paul

[Wayner]

Use a tape measure, 262mm is 10 5/16".

Wayner

[Sonny]

Paul, it doesn't matter the mounting distance as long as the alignment jig is set up for it.  Are you using the VPI Jig?  I am using a Ken Willis Jig, which I find very good.  And yes I am using at 258mm mounting distance, which is excellent for me.  I use the Dynavector XX-1 (which can even go longer) but with the 901, that's about the longest I can go.  If I go with 262 as in Vinyl Engine, then the 901 can't reach the tracking arch.  That's why I went with the 258...Mounting distance only matters, imho, when the tonearm pivot point is non-adjustable, like say an RB300 on a rega...which is set up specifically for 222mm mounting distance, if I am correct.  As long as on your 10.5i arm, you have the boomerang where you can swing the pivot in and out, that's great!  I would use 258mm.

Tuan

[orthobiz]

Use a tape measure, 262mm is 10 5/16".

Wayner

My 258mm was an actual measurement, with a metal ruler and minimal parallax error IMHO.

Paul

[orthobiz]

Tuan, this is embarrassing. I didn't realize the bottom piece will move separately from the top piece, thus allowing adjustment of the STP distance! Thanks, it all makes sense.

Once I pick a number I'll ask Wayner for null points.

BTW, there's a lot that's not covered in the VPI manual for the arm...

Paul

[Sonny]

Tuan, this is embarrassing. I didn't realize the bottom piece will move separately from the top piece, thus allowing adjustment of the STP distance! Thanks, it all makes sense.

Once I pick a number I'll ask Wayner for null points.

BTW, there's a lot that's not covered in the VPI manual for the arm...

Paul

No worries Paul, just make sure when you are measuring, that the pivot point and the spindle are parallel(i.e. that the ruler or measuring tap used is parallel) because if not, the actual distance will be a tap shorter.  Basically, if the ruler is at an angle, it's longer therefore making the actual distance shorter if you were parallel. Also, when aligning to make the cartridge follow the arch, make sure the tonearm and cartridge body are parallel to the platter.
T

[TheChairGuy]

Sweet! Love those longer-than-9" arms.

I'm at a point in my vinyl playing life where I think if you are committed to vinyl and willing to put $3000+ into your front end....one should have an arm longer than 9" doing the dirty work.  It's simply a near foolproof way of increasing tracing performance.

Perfect alignment/overhang issues are simply less important as the tracing performance is better to begin with. The newest Well Tempered players, with 10.5" arms, don't allow for ANY adjustment of cartridge fore and aft (cause it matters so little in tracing performance)

Sounds like a great combo there, Dr. Paul.

[orthobiz]

Thanks, Sonny and John. I'm being careful to be parallel, Sonny. And John, the 10.5 inch arm is sweet, am playing with the on the fly height adjustment a bit.

Ken Willis already e-mailed me with some advice also.

I'm coming to the realization that this "practice run" with the "swiss cheese arm board" went so well that I shoulda just did the real deal with my new arm board. I just know I'm gonna leave it like this for a couple of months, though. I think I'm gonna tackle a vintage Linn Sondek next.

Paul