Azimuth setting using channel decibel level on a mono LP?


I tried something a bit different and easier than some methods to set my azimuth. I wonder if it would be considered correct. The turntable in question is the Thorens TD-203 and the cartridge/stylus is the Ortofon 2M Blue. After doing my best with a mirror, I digitized a short passage of music on a mono LP with Audacity and then checked the decibel level of each channel in the Goldwave program. At first, the right channel was around 1 dB louder than the left. After turning the azimuth adjuster, I got the left channel louder. Then, after 15 or more slight adjustments, I got the difference between the two channels to much less than it had been--down to around .05 of one dB. I didn't think it was worth the effort to get the levels any closer than that so I stopped there. The audio result sounds very good, but I'm not sure I can even detect the difference between a 1 dB and a .05 dB difference between tracks. I really tried this just to see if I could change these levels using the azimuth adjusting wheel. On my previous turntable, the azimuth was hard to adjust, but the Thorens TD-203 has a very large wheel that makes it easy.

Now I just wonder if this method is really correct way to set azimuth. I never heard it mentioned as such.In other words, is a roughly identical dB level on both channels with a mono LP equivalent to a correct azimuth?
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Showing 2 responses by mijostyn

Well, there is validity to the method assuming your anti skate was adjusted perfectly and the output of both channels of the cartridge were exactly the same. 1 db is not that much. The best cartridges match channels to about 0.5 dB. I do not care so much about output levels. I care about record wear. The stylus has to be dead upright in the groove.
A careful eye, a mirror, a bright light and perhaps some loops if you have old eyes like mine are the best way to adjust azimuth. If you have a good cartridge everything else will fall in line. If not than at least you won't be excessively damaging your records.