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REVIEW: MintLP Audiomods Accessory

Model:	Audiomods
Category:	Accessory
Suggested Retail Price:	$110
Description:	High-Precision Arc Protractor
Manufacturer URL:	MintLP

Review by steven d on May 17, 2014 at 05:03:23 IP Address: 99.232.76.29

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I have to say that I'm thoroughly satisfied with the result of setting my cartridge with the MintLP Best Tractor. It would be an understatement to say I was skeptical about the cost of admission, but after helping a friend set up his Koetsu Black Goldline on the DV507II and hearing the effect in reducing distortions I had ordered my product as soon as I returned home.

To cut to the chase, the Mint allows you to dial the cartridge closer to the ideal by using a super-fine arc and the parallax lines aid aligning the cantilever to the groove at the null points. The result, for me, is better left to right balance, improved dynamics, more full and more rich bass (intelligible, with less overhang), improved clarity and extension of the treble (less washy/splashy), improved tracking ability, transparency is improved with background phenomenon better realized. Overall, a greater ease of the system to perform.

I had used the free printable Rega protractor from Vinyl Engine. I always had trouble and frustration getting the cartridge to align at both nulls, but this is because the geometry of Rega and Audiomods is just slightly out (Audiomods has an offset of 17.25mm and effective length of 239mm, compare to Rega's 15mm and 237mm). After using an Accutrak (printed) it got much better after very careful alignment. I was very impressed with this device - until I lay the needle on the Mint. Even without the magnification I could see that the offset was not correct which, again, I attribute to the fine arc of the Mint. The zenith was also out by a noticeable margin also.

I was a bit gloomy with my system prior to getting the Mint, it didn't sound right, I didn't listen to records very often and when I did I'd get fatigued and bored of it quickly. But now, I'm energized to the point of building/improving the system even further - just how much MORE is possible from my TT setup (and rest of the system). I'll never say my system is perfect and I do realize that there are trade-offs/compromises/limitations with the equipment and room. But now I'm enjoying it, and want to enjoy it more.

You MUST have excellent lighting (putting the needle between your eye and the light source really helps) and patience to use this device. It takes small adjustments and time. The result is well worth it, and the "upgrade" in sound for the price is better than cable swaps, preamp swaps or the like because all the detail that ISN'T picked up from an improperly aligned cartridge and all the mixed signals sent from such will muddy up the entire system.

I've now, for various reasons, re-installed the Colibri four times and it does get easier with each use. Most people, though, if not doing mods to their TT, will only really need to use this once for any particular cartridge. My guess is you might not want another cartridge once it's setup with the Mint.

On the downside... if you go through tables like underwear then the Mint will not be the best option (though it could be sold with the table to recover some cost). If you have multiple arms then you'll need one for each arm where the geometries differ.

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Product Weakness:	Only compatible with a specific TT/arm combination
Product Strengths:	Precision, Precision, Precision

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Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier:	Custom Tube Amp
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	S&B TVC
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	SL1200, Audiomods, vdH Colibri
Speakers:	Watson Labs Model 7
Cables/Interconnects:	DIY Silver
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Roots Regge
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

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