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Step by Step How to Use a Digital Multimeter / Oscilloscope for Azimuth Adjustments

So I did the usual azimuth setup for a VPI using the rod on top of the tonearm groove (method of setting that is included with VPI turntables from factory) on my VPI Classic 3.   I also bought one of those clear blocks on Amazon with the lines so you can get it as flat as you can visually.   It does sound good just doing this but I wanted to go next level and see if I could do it electronically even better.    I have read you can use a digital multimeter (DMM) or oscilloscope to do the adjustments.   I found on Amazon a Hantek 2D42 that has both features and I bought the BNC to RCA connectors for it so I can interface it with my turntable or alternatively the preamp output on my Sutherland 20/20 for boosted signals.
That all being said, how do I use this for setting the azimuth?   I have read you can use either device (DMM or Scope) to do this adjustment but it seems like the directions are pretty sketchy on how to do it.
I looked into buying the Adjust + software but as of August 2021 it isn't available to buy any longer so that isnt an option.
Anyone know how I can use this Hantek to do the testing and adjustments?
Thanks in advance,
Jason
newguru

Showing 3 responses by mijostyn

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
bikerbw, Harry is perhaps the last person you should be taking advice from. He is obviously not familiar with mounting jigs, robots and RF activated adhesives. The cartridge manufacturers to not manufacture their stylus assemblies. They buy them from a limited number of suppliers. They do orient the cantilevers in the motor assembly and are responsible for the final orientation. This is done with a grid under magnification. My experience is obviously with a limited number of cartridges but I do examine all my cartridges under magnification when they are new and for the last 20 years all of them have been on the money. The glue technique is being used because cantilevers have gotten thinner and the materials are difficult to drill making glue a better choice than holes. It also puts less mass at the end of the cantilever for better tracking. The only downside is that on rare occasion a stylus goes MIA.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
@lewm , do you sometimes feel as if you are talking to yourself?
You need to get you one of those Analog Magik thingies, $850. Every degree counts:-)
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Newguru, all you have to do is get a test record with a test tone equal in both channels, reverse the leads on one channel at the cartridge, put your meter on AC and adjust the azimuth for the lowest voltage. Easy peasy. That gets your cartridge electrically oriented. The problem with this is that the physical azimuth may be different to one degree or another. If the stylus is not perfectly perpendicular you will be increasing record wear. Which is why many of us visually orient the stylus perpendicular to the groove and forget about electrical orientation. The best cartridges are very close so perpendicular orientation of the stylus gets you very close if not right on electrically. I prefer to protect my records. I can do this visually put putting the stylus down on a mirror. In good light the stylus and it's reflection will form an hourglass. You adjust the azimuth until the hourglass is perfectly symmetrical. You can use loops or some other form of magnification if you like. 

People who think they can do this listening have an inflated sense of self worth. They can not but, it is their records and they are more than free to ruin them. 

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