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 2 responses by noromance

I run a London/Decca with a paratrace stylus. Fussy enough you might imagine. However, I set it by eye and have never used a protractor or loupe because it sounds fine. I don’t mean fine as in acceptable, I mean fine as in soaring female vocals, shimmering cymbals, pan pipes, Rachmaninoff piano. All sounds great.

So would using an alignment device bring a wakeup call improvement? Have I been betraying my rig by not using these tools?
I mean, like @flatblackround, I use a level and ensure P2S and overhang are correct per arm manufacturer. VTA is set by eye and then by listening. VTF by ear at lower end of manufacturer's spec. Azimuth by eye using a straw 90° headshell. Maybe it's because I've been doing it for 30+ years but I'd be gobsmacked if a protractor made a difference.