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Setting Azimuth

Details:
VPI Scoutmaster
JMW 9 standard tonearm
Soundsmith Zephyr cartridge band new
Using a Fozgometer and Hi Fi News Test LP both also brand new
I'm measuring at the interconnects off the turntable.
I cannot seem to achieve a proper azimuth that will give even channel balance. The only adjustment on this tonearm is the counterweight which is weighted a the bottom so turning it side to side should effect azimuth. Only extreme changes are affecting channel balance. I changed the interconnects in case they were causing the problem, but I get the same results. The right channel is a few decibels louder no matter what I do to the azimuth unless I make an extreme adjustment which has the tonearm cocked to one side and obviously this is not correct.
arnold_layne

Showing 9 responses by arnold_layne

arnold_layne OP
141 posts
 
Philb7777;

Ran the calibration. Left channel with calibration test disc is reading a bit lower than the right. I can reach 20db with the right channel, but the left reads slightly lower. I'm beginning to doubt the accuracy of the fozgometer.

A_L
arnold_layne OP
141 posts
 
I'm about to give up. Just checking out side two of my Hi Fi News test LP, and it's OFF CENTER. How the heck am I supposed check critical and minute adjustments of the turntable with an off center pressing? I hope Music Direct will exchange it for me.
arnold_layne OP
141 posts
 
When I measure each channel separately with the fozgometer using tracks 4 & 5 of the hi-fi news test lp the right channel reads a stronger signal than the left channel.
arnold_layne OP
141 posts
 
Dopogue,

I've not experienced any issues with the cart clearing the outer ring clamp. I'm running at 2.0grams with the arm level. I've checked cartridge alignment against my Mint LP alignment template, and I'm tracing the arc properly and the cart is aligned to the tangent marks. There's no real anti-skate on this arm. Just the twisting of the tonearm wires coming out of the top into the junction box. It's just frustrating I cannot seem to achieve a close to equal signal on both channels. No matter what I do, the right channel is louder. I'll give your recommendations a try (1.4G and higher VTA) and report back.
arnold_layne OP
141 posts
 
What I'm going to do is let the cartridge break in. Then I'll attempt to fine tune the azimuth again. I've ordered the SS Counter-Intuitive as I've wanted one anyways. I agree it should make minute and repeatable adjustments possible. This arm also does not allow the rotating of the side weights for azimuth adjustment like some of the other JMW arms. I like this turntable, but the JMW 9 basic arm is frustrating. I'd love to put a 10.5 arm with adjustable VTA on it but not sure how if it could mount on this turntable.

STeve
arnold_layne OP
141 posts
 
Ok, I get that azimuth has to do with proper phase; the needle sits between the walls of the groove equally. How does one adjust channel balance? I would think if the right channel is louder than the left by a few decibels, this results in the the sound stage shifting to the right. This is my first attempt at trying to get accurate alignment. Before I would line up the cartridge and forget about it. But since investing in a $1000 cartridge, I feel it worthwhile to check all the settings and make sure it's aligned properly.
arnold_layne OP
141 posts
 
I've eliminated the phono stage during my first test. I had the fozgometer connected to the interconnects directly off the turntable. I even switched to a completely different pair of interconnects and the results were the same. I have not done the reverse channel test yet. I'll do some more troubleshooting and report back.
arnold_layne OP
141 posts
 
Lanetim,

That is a path I'm considering going down. Wasn't sure if the arm was upgradable. Now that I know, I may do that. I know they are busy moving to a new warehouse, so I'll ask them about it next week.
arnold_layne OP
141 posts
 
I did a few needledrops with my new cartridge. The channel imbalance is pretty obvious. Here is a screen shot of Sultans of Swing digital, then normalized evenly for both channels.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/asgj0r
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