Fozgometer


I've used this gizmo a few times before and think its a very valuable tool. I'm setting up a new cartridge, and nearing the end of a whole day job...anyway, I'm using the proper test record, yet, the meter doesn't work...I get a dull lights on the 2 red ones, although the middle power light works. Any suggestions?
128x128stringreen

Showing 5 responses by moonglum

I seem to remember the Fozgometer being somewhat discredited by users in general, the inference being it was only dependable in 2 out of 3 cases(?). If you prefer measurement perhaps a better option would be to wait for one of these :

http://sound-smith.com/cartright/index.html

I'm not sure the device ever fully went to market(???)
They've been telegraphing its release for some time.
Also it is/will be a good deal more expensive than the Fozgometer.
This seems like a handy device (and made in the US). I considered buying one a few years ago :

http://www.kabusa.com/canceler.htm

Looks more trouble-free than the Foz (no lights, you judge the sound minimum)?
It is bound to have its critics too I am certain ;^)
Turns out Peter Ledermann has already used my "fun" method but without disconnecting the distracting active channel first. See last paragraph -

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=vinyl&n=840188&highlight=

Cheers,
If minimal crosstalk is your goal and you don't have either a mono switch or special test gear, and you don't want to accidentally break your cartridge tags by trying to invert one channel, try this technique for fun.

Use ONE of the -20db pink noise test tracks from the HFNRR disc (or a 1KHz Xtalk track from the Ultimate Analogue Disc).

Listen only to one of those tracks but first disconnect the I/C for the "active" channel so that you are only listening to the "crosstalk channel".
One of the good things about your ears is that unlike test gear they can easily discriminate between random noise, surface noise & pink noise so gauging the level of the crosstalk signal is not a problem.
Crank up the volume of the silent channel until you can hear the crosstalk clearly then progressively adjust by ear for minimum cross-channel bleed.

One thing you will notice is that surface noise on the 25 second test track will become eerily quiet when you hit the sweet spot. (At least in the case of a line contact stylus)

If you try this method with headphones you may have to crank the volume up quite a bit before you hear any crosstalk at all. It can be done with both channels driven but not quite so easily. A useful side-effect is that you will notice the volume or presence increase on the active channel (yes, even with pink noise) when it hits the sweet spot, coinciding with a minimum in the other.
Lew, for about 29 years I used an LP12 with a succession of Linn MC cartridges and enjoyed the success you describe.

Almost total noise suppression (even on dodgy and warped discs) allied to first class tracking, even when the carts were well worn.
Must have been a combination of good bearings, accurate manufacture and the benefit of properly controlling all the parts to minimise error (or I just got lucky :)

At the moment I have what you might call a "Feickert situation" i.e. if we physically measured the cart we'd find that the perfect alignment wasn't exactly 0 degrees (either cantilever axis or diamond azimuth) but still within the limits of cart manufacture in general.

No harm in adjusting alignment to get back to Nirvana. ;^)
All the best,