Help with Cartridge Alignment

Points all well taken. I have an original Panasonic electronic stylus force guage.

I guess a Foz and USB magnifier are on the birthday list.

The Fozgometer does what it says, it enables you to match crosstalk levels. But does that always occur where the sound is best? Our ears are most sensitive to phase error between the channels, usually measured at 1 kHz. When it is zero there can be very large differences, especially with line contact styli and those approaching such a profile.

Several months ago I visited someone who had dialed in his rig (a nice one, with a TriPlanar arm) using a Fozgometer. Not assuming the azimuth to be optimized, I used the Feickert software and adjusted the azimuth slightly, reducing phase error. This resulted in significantly smoother treble, wider and deeper soundstage, better imaging, and a dramatic increase in venue information (he has Sound Lab speakers, which are remarkably phase coherent and readily show subtle improvements). He was ecstatic. The phase response and crosstalk curves, annotated but otherwise unretouched, can be seen here.

There are several ways to set azimuth, some more time consuming, some easier to use, some more accurate. By all means do it or have someone do it for you because the rewards are worth it.

A digital tracking force gauge is a must!!!!!! At least start with that, you'll be glad you did.

I use a Fozgometer, the KAB Speedstrobe, and an Audio Additive Stylus Force Gauge. Yes it's a lot of money. I do recheck everything a few times a year. I have come to learn without these tools it is impossible to calibrate by ear. Lubachl you spent 3 grand on a cartridge plus I assume thousands more on everything else. If you skimp now, you will never know how good your system is suppose to sound.
Jon

I have a Fozgometer for azimuth adjustment. It works very well for me. I use it as a great start and then I still listen to familiar records to make sure things are right. It is right on every time. Do you have a dealer close enough you may borrow one?

Thank you. Yes I have a custom Wally alignment tool for my arm and I have gotten things as reasonably close as I feel I can. One could argue that now it is up to listening and fine adjusting for the final tuning.

Nonetheless if I had three additional items, a Fozgometer, a USB magnifier and a digital tracking force guage set-up would be more accurate.

It seems to me some enterprizing soul could offer these items to rent as a kit and make some easy scratch.

Lubachl - I think you are getting confused. The Fozgometer is a tool used for getting the exact azimuth and maximum amount of channel seperation once the cartridge is properly aligned. Cartridge alignment is best accomplished using a MINT or Feikert ( or some other) protractor. Even those of us on a budget can afford the very good mirror assembly from Turntable Basics to get this job done right. Align the cart THEN make the minor adjustments to fine tune the azimuth.

Thank you, yes I see there is an abundance of dialogue but no clear concensus as to the value of this instrument. Cartridge set up alignment continues to be a daunting task.

If you search the forums you will find several discussions regarding the Fozgometer.