The Technics measurement would be accurate if the Pioneer’s tonearm is the same length without the headshell, the same distance from pivot to spindle, the same offset angle, and the same intended null points. That’s a lot to assume is the same unless the design team precisely copied the...
I used to think cables made no audible difference and that build quality is all there was to gain. To prove it to myself, I bought a pair of Blue Jeans LC-1. I didn’t bother with blind testing, because I figure I don’t listen that way. I can accept that I might be biased and just live with it...
It looks like the screws were supposed to be longer, by about the length of the sleeves. You could pry the hinge apart by a millimeter or two to reduce the friction and then install the hinges with longer screws.
Blue Bell is my favorite, maybe due to familiarity. Rocky Road, Cookies n Cream, Pecan Pralines n Cream, and Cherry Vanilla. I do like Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia, but haven’t tried most of their flavors.