2. analog
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The importance of azimuth

Not a particularly sexy topic, I know, but I recently had a rather ear-opening experience with my VPI Aries 2/JMW-10/Denon 103D. I been enjoying playing records for hours--sometimes days--on end during the few weeks I've had the new 'table and arm (the cart I've had for years). But after endless tinkering with the VTA (adjustable during play--perfect for neurotics like me), even at the "ideal" setting for any given record, there was an unpleasant edge to the sound. It was almost as if everything was digitally remastered!

Needless to add, this was not exactly what I'd hoped for in a record-playing system, though it *still* sounded leagues better than my digital rig (Sony SCD-1), even with the latter playing SACD (no, it does *not* sound as good as vinyl--not yet, anyway). I added some damping fluid. No audible change.

Then it occurred to me (duh!). I'd only made a token adjustment of azimuth when I'd set up the 'table. It looked straight, the channels were well-separated and balanced, and basically I didn't want to screw around with it.

Big mistake. (I'm sure you were all mouthing those words already.) A loosening of the set screw and a bit of twisting, and...everything looked the same. Stylus descended to record...drum roll...oh...my...God! Voices and instruments beefed up and acquired shape, tape hiss magically appeared (where appropriate), and hard left and right images seemed to float about a foot outside the speakers.

I'm sure there are more scientific ways of setting azimuth, but I'm now in one of those situations where everything sounds so fulfilling of my expecations that I don't want to lose it.

Folks, never forget that in set-up *everything* matters. These are tiny increments of adjustment we're talking about here. Take care with everything and your hardware will reward you with the gorgeous sound we know is inside those records.
bublitchki

Showing 1 response by larryi

larryi
4,188 posts
 
Rhodyavphile,

I have the Wally azimuth tester, and with my setup, I could not get particularly reliable readings utilizing the instructions. I could merely confirm that my visually adjusted azimuth was not far off from acceptable electrical measurement.

I now feel that the best way to set azimuth is to first determine that visually that the stylus is aligned properly with respect to the cartridge body and then align the body perpendicular to the surface of the record (look at the cartridge from a head on angle and compare the cartridge with its reflected image on the record to see if the cartridge is canted left or right). In this way you can get an approximately correct physical alignment. If that is not the ideal electrical alignment (because the coils and magnets are not aligned properly) you will not get the maximum separatation, but at least the stylus and the record will be in alignment -- I prefer lower wear on stylus and record than maximum separation.

I suppose the best way to do this by measurement is to use an oscilloscope.
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