Analog Magic Question

The actual measured values for the azimuth are 0.45 (left) and 0.48 (right). 

That can’t be correct. For this test you are playing a 1 KHz tone in one channel and measuring how much lower it is in the other channel. Lower is negative dB. 

-20dB is 10 times less and not so good

-30db is about 32 times less and what better cartridges can do, or close to it

-40dB is 100 times less and very unusual as well as very, very good

You should typically be getting readings in the minus 25-30 dB range. The goal is for them to be as close together as possible with about .5dB difference pretty good. So for instance -27.7dB for L and -28.1dB for R would be .4dB difference so pretty good. The numbers you stated make no sense. 

https://www.analogmagik.com/azimuth

Some months or a few years ago, Dave Slagle was at my house, and he adjusted my ART7 cartridge to correct for its zenith error. To do that, he had with him a laptop with some sort of measuring program on it. 

I assume Dave was using Analog Magik and using the VTA test if he has version 1. He has discussed this over at What’s Best.  Version 2 has a Zenith test but I have V1 so haven’t used it. For V1 measure distortion with the VTA track, twist and measure until you get it as low and even as you can. Typically starting closer to 10% after aligning visually, I’ve found 2-3% to be really good.

The greatest thing about Analog Magik is the peace of mind I get when I am done. For years I sat listening and wondering if my cartridge was aligned. Now, even though there are too many variables to ever get it perfect, I am confident enough in my alignment that I can push those doubts away and my listening enjoyment has gone up tremendously. 

On a practical level, I agree with the above that VTA changes do not make tremendous differences, Never have and never will be the guy who changes VTA for every record depending on thickness. Life is too short. When in doubt I use the Fremer method with a USB microscope to make sure I am somewhere near 92 degrees and leave it there.  https://www.analogplanet.com/content/video-showing-setting-stylus-rake-angle-using-digital-usb-microscope

I do find the Azimuth adjustments to be very useful, very audible. I have version 1 and I use VTA test for Zenith. Typically after aligning by eye with a protractor I measure closer to 10 % distortion but with teeny tiny twist of the cartridge get it down to around 2%. No way to do that visually. Zenith and azimuth I see as the 2 things that make the most difference.

I suggest replacing the cheap ART interface he recommends with something better. I have found, as have others that the gain control on the ART does not track perfectly so adds difference in level between channels. There are many Pro Audio Interfaces to choose from. I have an Apogee Duet that works great, and the DAC also sounds very good so I use that when I want to stream.. not often.

https://www.sweetwater.com/shop/studio-recording/audio-interfaces/

I have not tried Wally, but with all of the + feedback it seems to be a fine way to do things. I have too many cartridges to be able to afford to send them all to Wally for analysis. Add all of the hardware you have to buy to implement his system and the cost of Analog Magik is a better option for me.

I read the tutorial. V2 works a bit differently than V1, but what I stated about azimuth is true nonetheless.

For azimuth, the goal is to minimize crosstalk and to make it equal in both channels as I described.

For VTA, the goal is to minimize distortion.

While VTA and azimuth are interrelated, they are different. You stated the distortion you measured which is an indication of optimized VTA. . This does not mean you optimized azimuth by minimizing and making crosstalk equal.

From the tutorial. which states what I did about azimuth. I am not misunderstanding anything.

AnalogMagik allows users to determine optimal azimuth angle by measuring the crosstalk between Left and Right channel.  Optimal position is achieved when the two numbers are as close together as possible.   

 

Optimal Vertical Tracking Angle (or optimal SRA) is determined by measuring the Intermodulation Distortion level (IMD%), optimal VTA/SRA is achieved when both Left and Right channel displays the lowest level of IMD%.  

AM is a bit of climb but very useful once you are comfortable. You are making good progress. I still think you are confusing the terms. You need to get a firm grasp on the difference in zenith and azimuth or we are talking past each other. like this

the OEM head shell does have zenith adjustment,

you can adjust zenith on almost all headshells, if they have slotted holes, you can rotate the cartridge and adjust zenith. rotate it looking down from the top. Many do not have azimuth adjustments, rotate it looking at it from the front.

you should be able to  get these closer 25.42 db (r) 23.12 db by adjusting azimuth. Round off your readings as you look at them.. 23.1 and 23.12 are not significantly different

I think the .45% and .48% IMD you reported earlier is suspiciously low, perhaps impossible. While 5-6% is much higher, it is not horrible and more realistic. I suspect you can change the Zenith to lower them further then try VTA.

changing the Zenith, turning the cartridge ever so slightly, I mean teeny, tiny amounts where you aren’t even sure you moved it, can make a huge difference. It is  just something you have to keep doing until you get a feel for it. Screws a bit too loose and it moves too much and won’t stay, a bit tighter and you can’t move it. 

I’m talking about turning (twisting)  it looking straight down from above rotating it clockwise and anti-clockwise.. again, so little you aren’t even sure it moved, a fraction of a degree. 

then you have to check Azimuth and overhang and VTF and VTA again, and so forth. Unless you slid the cartridge back and forth while adjusting zenith then overhang won’t change but check, VTA and VTF likewise, but check them.