A take-up mechanism for simultaneously winding a plurality of yarns, tapes, or other strands on a plurality of take-up spindles is described. The mechanism comprises a support unit, a plurality of yarn take-up spindles positioned in substantially vertical alignment on the support unit, and a motor or the like in cooperation with the take-up spindles for driving separately each of the plurality of spindles. A compensator arm assembly comprising a plurality of compensator arms with each having a guide roll is positioned in substantially vertical alignment relative to the take-up spindles, with each of the compensator arms of the assembly individually controlling the speed of the drive motor for a take-up spindle. The plurality of yarn strands are fed to the compensator arm guide rolls at an angle of at least 60 degrees and no greater than 90 degrees. The take-up mechanism can be arranged in a compact manner which is of critical concern in a factory.