Analog Magic Question

Hi Bill,

I don’t have experience with Analogue Magik but I’ve read this thread and their website. From both it is clear that their method is time consuming, iterative and not guaranteed. I’ll assume when it does work, it works quite well.

For those following this thread looking for set up methods better than eyeballing, tuning by ear or using various protractors etc., I’d like to mention the process I went through with Wally Analogue & JR Bosclair. 

The primary reason I mention JR is because I used his microscopy analysis service on my MSL Signature Platinum. This provided 2 important (critical) data points: stylus zenith error (almost 4 degrees) and SRA. Published zenith error from 2 of the 3 major manufacturers of stylus cantilever assemblies is +/- 5 degrees. That is a lot! Once known, zenith error can be accurately accounted for in set up, and SRA/VTA is corrected with a custom shim so that the tone arm can remain parallel with the platter.

Including the full Wally tool set, the cost was about $1200, and took about 4 hours of my time including watching tutorial videos. This price also includes having JR pretty much on call to talk you through questions/issues during set up.

When the process is complete, you are done, other than re-checking antiskating & VTF every 6 months or so, or after moving the TT.

The confidence I have in my cart/TT set up is high enough that I never think about it. 

I would imagine this process and tool set could potentially be used in conjunction with Audio Magik to give a you a significant "leg up" and maybe save time and frustration, albeit at not insignificant cost. 

Hi Bill,

Cool...curious what the undisclosed limitations were if you don't mind sharing, and also did you use the microscopy analysis service? 

Best,

Mac

Hi Bill, you wrote "For example, Wally tools did not disclose limitations in two of my cartridges."

That is what I was referring to.

In trying to setup my SL1200GAE first with the 2M Black, the AnalogMagik software revealed that the cartridge is defective.  Wally tools did not uncover that fact.  Similarly when I setup the same TT with the VAS Nova stereo cartridge AnalogMagic disclosed a problem with arm resonance in the vertical plane, again Wally tools did not.

Thanks Bill - this makes complete sense. The same could be said for a defective tone arm wire etc. Although I would have thought a defective cart would have been disclosed by sound alone.

@lewm 

I have heard that the tool is difficult to use and/or may require sending the cartridge to Wally

The Wally zenith tool is easy to use IF you send the cart in for microscopy analysis which precisely measures zenith error as well as providing a custom shim to optimize SRA/VTA at the headshell, which is what I did.

Otherwise you are correcting by ear which I imagine isn't easy, hence Bill's comment that AnalogMagik is easier.

I have not used AnalogMagik so I am not advocating one method over the other.  

@lewm The shim isn't for zenith. You are correct, you have to change the alignment of the cart in the headshell. The "Wally Zenith" provides the correct reference point adjusted for the specific error in your cart. But as I said you have to know precisely what the error is.

There are other Wally tools for azimuth & antiskating (which also measures tonearm friction). 

Both companies have video tutorials. Check them out.

I think the main takeaway is (and perhaps @billstevenson agrees?), that conventional tools and methods will only get you in the ballpark (maybe with decent seats).

Other than truly dialed in sound, the secondary benefit for me is piece of mind. I no longer second guess the setup or feel the need to tweak it. I just enjoy it.