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Bent Cant, Can't get azimuth right. Does it matter

Hello again,

I just got a new Benz Micro Gold for my scout and jmw-9 arm. When it arrived, the cantilever was bent slightly over to the left. I aligned using the vpi jig.
With the HI-FI news test record, I can track all the test tracks except the torture track 9. Everything sounds really good, and I am corresponding with Yip to get a mint lp sent out to me soon.

My problem is the azimuth set-up, track 5 side 2. Because the cartilever is bent slightly, in order to get the stylus perpendicular to the record I would have to tilt inward about 20 degrees! On the azimuth track, I can't get the output of the channels equal otherwise, but in all the tracking test tracks the output is identical?

My question is:

If the cartridge is tracking well (excellent) and I don't hear any distortion in my music, is having the azimuth perfect going to make a big audible difference?
I can always send it back to the dealer?

I added a photo of the cartridge to my system ( the photos need to be updated )

Any thoughts?
hanaleimike

Showing 1 response by dougdeacon

dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Excellent primer from Dertonarm regarding adjusting VTF. Exactly how I do it. Reduce VTF in TINY increments until bass/dynamics suffer, then bump it back up a TINIER amount, but not so far that you lose HF extension, microdynamics, speed or "air".

I would only add that as a cartridge continues to accumulate hours the suspension may continue to change. Elastomers are notoriously unstable and unpredictable. Fine tuning VTF (via the methods he described) is often beneficial throughout the life of a cartrdidge.
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