Channel Balance on Dynavector XV1-S


Hoping I can get some advice. I have a XV1s on a Basis Vector 4 arm. I just borrowed a Fozgometer and I'm getting very different reading from the 2 channels.
-I downloaded and tested the Foz and it seems to be calibrated correctly.The Vector 4 azimuth adjustment is extremely precise and refined, like all things Basis, so I'm pretty sure that the arm is good and the Azimuth is correct.
-No matter how much I changed the azimuth, the balance/imbalance stayed the same (same levels as well), about a 5 reading for L and about 7-7.5 R with the tonearm cables running directly into the Foz and 14.5L and 19R with the Foz plugged into my ARC Ref 5 SE Phono Preamp. By deduction it would seem that it's either the cart or a tube(s) in the phono pre. Any insight or advice will be really appreciated.
moryoga

Showing 1 response by dinster

Moryoga, Azimuth is a mechanical alignment of the needle in the groove, and is probably best set mechanically (visually-microscope). The fosgometer measures a voltage, as a surrogate marker for alignment. There may be discrepancies in the phonostage so best to leave this out of the circuit. There may be an electrical imbalance in the cartridge, and it would be wrong to misalign the needle to compensate. I would also try another test record, they are not perfect, and I have very different readings on the "fos" with different records.
For me it is all too hard, and I don't trust the test record, and I don't trust that electrical output means physical alignment. I suspect some high tech oscilloscope using a calibrated test record, minimising cross talk is the only "practical" way to do it properly.
Another way is, if it ain't broke don't fix it, in other words if the sound is good don't fiddle:)
That's as far as I've got, happy to learn from others.