Phono cartridge left / right output voltage differ

Well, we have three different statements of what the difference is in db. I would re-assert that it is almost exactly 1.0 db, as I and Mulveling indicated. 20log(0.18/0.16) or 20log(0.16/0.18).

Regards,
-- Al

Just to reiterate - Almarg (plus my own posting) is correct - the difference in your cart is *definitely* 1.0 dB, because:
20 * Log_base_10(16/18) = -1.023

^ You get the same magnitude of result, but with a positive sign, if you flip the numerator and denominator. The multiplying factor here is 20, not 10, because we're dealing with voltage proportions, and power (as eventually driven through your speakers) is proportional to the *square* of the voltage (hence the extra factor of 2).

And that's absolutely quite audible, though I've been surprised by how tolerant some folks (even hi-end folks) are about imbalances up to ~ 1.5dB. It's FAR easier to discern a 1dB difference in L/R channel level than it is to notice a 1dB change in level for both channels. In my system, center image would seem shifted by about a foot. I've found myself annoyed by imbalances down to 0.5dB or even less (an almost certainty with vinyl).

Al is correct.

1.02305044895... dB difference

Dre

First I'd like to thank all of you for help in making a decision on what to do.All your comments have been appreciated.

I finally got something I could sink my teeth in after being told that the difference between the channels would be somewhere around 1 db or less.Thanks for that.That doesn't sound like a lot and if it turns out to be a problem I do have a balance control on my preamp.

So I've mounted and aligned the cartridge and had time to casually listen to one side of a Lp.Of coarse in the back of my head I think the right channel is louder but I'm really not sure.I will have some time over the weekend to listen more critically.Plus I can compare it to another cartridge.

Thanks again for your help

Yes, Al and Dre win the cupie doll. I glanced past the milli. :-)