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Right channel bias in analog setup

As an analog newbie, I’ve been fighting with my turntable setup for a while now and am raising my hand for some help please. I have an original VPI Scout with a new Denon 103R cartridge connected to a Denon AU-300LC step-up transformer. This is connected to a Sutherland 20/20 phono pre-amp, which is connected to a Mark Levinson 326S pre-amp/Levinson 436 monoblock/Wilson Audio Sasha output. For some reason, when I am playing records, there is an obvious right channel bias where imaging seems right of center, regardless of what record I’m playing. When I switch to digital sources such as my CD player (Levinson 390S) or streaming (Amazon Echo Link), with the same music, everything is centered as it should be. I assumed the problem was an azimuth setup problem as I've read that channel bias can be due to balance problems there. After trying different variations, I finally got the system to image correctly, but the arm/cartridge is ridiculously leaning to the left. I can't believe this is the correct setup and that it won't eventually hurt the records and/or the cartridge over time. Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
henrus

Showing 1 response by chakster

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
You're using Denon cartridge with conical tip and this tip is less sensitive to errors in alignment. 

Your Denon cartridge must have a printed test of L & R output signal, you can also measure it yourself. This is very cheap cartridge and channel imbalance is pretty common if it wasn't specially selected/calibrated sample.  

However, make sure your phono cable is fine. 

 
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