A brilliant purchase !

bzr

bzr

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Nov 19, 2014
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Has anybody bought a protractor, set their cartridge & then found that albums that they thought were so so, are now way better than they at first thought that they were recorded? I am absolutely stoked with the Acoustical Systems SMARTractor.
Has anyone had the same?
 
I use a Clearaudio protractor. Happy with their 1r=75mm recommendation given that I am driving a Goldfinger on a Clearaudio built table. Downside with using an extreme radius is that with some older pressings that go close to the spindle is increased distortion. Given that it is the only table I have with it's single arm, I can live with that for now. When you listen to 180-200g 45rpm reissues such as an Acoustic Sounds pressing, you will appreciate the extreme radial point very much.
 
The Smartractor is nice, I've used it since it first came out.....Accutrak is also very good, I've always been a fan of arce tractors, The Clearaudio IEC is good but more so for P2S....its grid layout is a bit more difficult to get precise readings compared to the Smartractor or Accutrak but doable if you have the right magnification devise. The same goes for the Fieckert tool. One thing to watch for with the Smartractor is the base is acrylic so make sure its sitting completely flat on the platter from the spindle to the outer edges.
 
Jeff....True with the Clearaudio. I use a 30x LED loupe and still then it takes several goes to land it, but it works well.
 
A/V Solutions said:
The Smartractor is nice, I've used it since it first came out.....Accutrak is also very good, I've always been a fan of arce tractors, The Clearaudio IEC is good but more so for P2S....its grid layout is a bit more difficult to get precise readings compared to the Smartractor or Accutrak but doable if you have the right magnification devise. The same goes for the Fieckert tool. One thing to watch for with the Smartractor is the base is acrylic so make sure its sitting completely flat on the platter from the spindle to the outer edges.
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Jeff, which one would be best for my VPI Avenger?
 
Steve said:
Jeff....True with the Clearaudio. I use a 30x LED loupe and still then it takes several goes to land it, but it works well.
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Use a Linen counter for the magnification.....something around 5x to 8x is all you need. I hate using magnification that I need to wear or hold in my hands.
 
Cool, I'll give one a go next time.

When you magnify those black lines, they are thick!
 
MDP said:
Jeff, which one would be best for my VPI Avenger?
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The one you got with your table is fine if you like the slightly modified VPI geomertry.....Myself I like Accutrak arce tractors with VPI tables. A protractor like the Smartractor or anything with a P2S built in isn't my favorites with uni-pivot arms or arms like what's on my AMG table. You really need to watch the down force the spike applies at the pivot area of the arm. For instance my AMG arm moves in many directions at its pivot point and being a 12 inch arm, tools like Smartractor or anything with P2S applies a fair amount of down force at the tone arm pivot, if your not carefull you can get less precise readings because the downforce isn't allowing the arm to rest freely.
 
Steve said:
Cool, I'll give one a go next time.

When you magnify those black lines, they are thick!
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Yes, that's why I commented about the CA IEC tool but doable with the correct magnification. The linen tool really helps you get past the thick lines thing.....but if I had my choice with your set up the Accutrak or Smartractor would be my go to tool.
 
I use the Uni-Protractor from Acoustical Systems . I'm not sure whether Daniel is still making these. The SMARTractor is a simplified version of the Uni-Protractor . Without wishing to court controversy, I'd suggest that upwards of 90%+ of vinyl setups I've seen are sub-optimal in that audiophiles are probably missing out on what the true capabilities of their rigs really are because they have not been properly setup. When you're dealing with the tolerances and sizes of record grooves, styli, all the components of a cartridge and very low output voltages, the most minuscule differences have a huge impact. But like most things analog, it's hardly for the faint of heart . It takes me a good 2-3 hours to do a comprehensive setup that includes azimuth setting. Pic of the Uni-Protractor system attached.

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Mike said:
I've been eyeing the one Shodhan uses. Can't recall the name.
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I too own the Uni and its a great protractor but not fond of having to mess around with all the templates if owning many arms, never use it anymore sinse the Smartractor came out, however if owning an arm or two then no reason to move away from it.....the smartractor is nice because you basically can use it on all arms, no swapping templates, more plug N play IMO.....I've also compared the Uni with Smartractor and the end result is identical. Both are some of the best set up tools.
 
I'm not sure I agree Jeff . At the end of the day , the primary differentiating factor for multiple arms is PTS distance and provided you have their PTS gizmo and accurately adjust it for the correct length on the Vernier scale , there is really no need to go to separate arm templates. I primarily use the UNI-DIN template. When used in conjunction with the PTS apparatus , the UNI-Protractor is leagues ahead in accurate calibration compared to the SMARTractor.
 
Bobolaclune said:
I'm not sure I agree Jeff . At the end of the day , the primary differentiating factor for multiple arms is PTS distance and provided you have their PTS gizmo and accurately adjust it for the correct length on the Vernier scale , there is really no need to go to separate arm templates. I primarily use the UNI-DIN template. When used in conjunction with the PTS apparatus , the UNI-Protractor is leagues ahead in accurate calibration compared to the SMARTractor.
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Agrre to a point but the Uni-Din isn't ideal for every arm or music we listen to.....Each and every arm performs differently with the numerious geometries available. When the Uni-Tractor was first introduced you ordered templates for the arms you had as it was suggested from Daniel and or you could use one of the others provided....I ordered for each particular arm. The Smartractor is more alike than the Uni than not IMO, much easier to use and I did lots of back and fourth between the two and the results are nearly identical if not identical. I have also compared them with a few other of my favorite protractors and I can achieve the same results as the Uni or Smartractor.....all of them have there own pluses and minuses, non of them are perfect. Just my findings ia all....

Here is what was available with the Uni. (Interchangeable mirror parallax templates (precisely (1/100 mm) laser engraved) for the 6 major tangential curves - Baerwald IEC and DIN, Loefgren IEC and DIN, Stevenson IEC and DIN - as well as 25 individual templates optimized for the most important tonearms following their individual geometry as specified by the manufacturer). When you ordered I believe we had the choice of six templates.
 
In my experience I tend to agree with Jeff on this. There is no one alignment I've found which is ideal for all tonearm and cartridge combinations, they all involve making various trade-offs. For example some alignments are designed to maximize inner groove tracking, while others put a priority on achieving more consistent tracking across the entire disc. Each user should decide which alignment best meets their needs by addressing their priorities with a given setup. With analog there really is no 'one size fits all' mentality, each setup needs to be individually evaluated and then adjusted accordingly. When you have it right you'll know it and then be able to just sit back and enjoy the music - until you decide to change arms or cartridges and then begin the whole process again... The fun never ends!
 
audio.bill said:
In my experience I tend to agree with Jeff on this. There is no one alignment I've found which is ideal for all tonearm and cartridge combinations, they all involve making various trade-offs. For example some alignments are designed to maximize inner groove tracking, while others put a priority on achieving more consistent tracking across the entire disc. Each user should decide which alignment best meets their needs by addressing their priorities with a given setup. With analog there really is no 'one size fits all' mentality, each setup needs to be individually evaluated and then adjusted accordingly. When you have it right you'll know it and then be able to just sit back and enjoy the music - until you decide to change arms or cartridges and then begin the whole process again... The fun never ends!
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Bugger, here I sit with my newly acquired SMARTractor aligned AMG/LPS, & yes, I am really proud of the sound I am getting from my system. HELL! I even posted a clip to a pal of mine I was enjoying things that much. Now you tell me I have to do it again...must be a "Trump" thing......
 
Kev - If you've got your analog setup aligned to the point where it has you involved with your music and you don't find any shortcomings then I wouldn't change a thing, just enjoy it! And please, no need to bring up that guy here!
 
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