Setting Azimuth

I cannot seem to achieve a proper azimuth that will give even channel balance.

Azimuth has little if any effect on channel balance (except when very badly mis-adjusted, as you've experienced). You're measuring the wrong thing.

This has been discussed many times on this forum. I suggest you search and read before further spinning your wheels whilst aimed in the wrong direction.

Agree... despite responses from me, Essentialaudio and Lewm trying to help, the OP still seems fixated on trying to adjust channel balance.

Until he understands that azimuth does not particularly affect channel output it won't matter what widgets he sticks on his tonearm, what test records he uses or what measuring devices he buys. One can't optimize a car's front end alignment by checking the oil. Buying a better oil filter and a dipstick with a digital readout won't change that. ;-)

Like many I optimize azimuth (and VTF... and SRA) by listening to music with a thoughtful ear. The endless fascination for overpriced gadgets like the Foz amongst vinylphiles astounds me. What happened to learning what music actually sounds like. then working toward getting your rig to sound closer to reality?

Lewm's interpretation of my comment was correct. The experiment described in the OP clearly demonstrated that azimuth has little effect on channel output. Like many useful experiments it proved that the going-in hypothesis was false. That's just as useful as a positive result.

How does one adjust channel balance?

Cartridge alignments and adjustments have little effect on channel balance. If you're actually getting significantly different output from one channel vs. the other then the flaw is probably internal to one (or more) components. Adjusting the cartridge won't change that.

You should perform a diagnostic:

1. Is the sound balanced when playing a CD or other line-level source?
- if yes, the imbalance is occurring somewhere in the phono reproduction chain.
- if no, the imbalance is occuring in your line stage or after.

2. If #1 demonstrates that the imbalance is occuring in the phono reproduction chain, try reversing the cartridge clips. Does the imbalance flip sides?
- if yes, the imbalance is internal to the cartridge. Repair or replace the cartridge.
- if no, the imbalance is internal to the tonearm wiring or phono stage.

3. If #2 demonstrates that the imbalance is internal to the tonearm wiring or phono stage, return the cartridge clips to their normal position and reverse the phono leads at the phono stage inputs (or at the TT if you have a detachable phono cable). Does the imbalance flip sides?
- if yes, the problem is in the tonearm/phono cable. Check and clean all connections. If the imbalance continues you probably have faulty wire (seems unlikely).
- if no, the problem is in your phono stage. Check tubes if you have or try another phono stage.

The diagnostic process is tedious but critical for accurate problem solving. Isolate the cause first. Then decide what needs adjusting/repairing. Making adjustments without examining what needs adjusting is just, "Ready - Fire! - Aim." ;-)