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 johnbrown

Well-yeah. Reproduction of music via a phonograph is based on various parameters at a very, very small level. Any of those parameters, singly and by themselves, may not seem particularly important, but they all combine into a whole that will, or will not, provide the best that your system can offer. Your picture doesn't seem to show an issue, but if it's as you describe, I'd definitely see about a change.

Oh, and I wouldn't become too enamored with the Test Record. Set up the cart with the Mint, and you should be good to go.