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In Reply to: RE: Phono Cartridge Setup posted by throwback on November 14, 2014 at 20:14:02
I agree with the comments made by John Elison regarding azimuth.When I had a VPI turntable I bought the Fozgometer and the Acoustic Sounds test record. Adjusting the azimuth so that the Fozgometer was happy ended up with a very badly tilted cartridge and very poor sound.
The Fozgometer gave different readings dependent on which test record was used, and whether using the output from the turntable directly or from my phono preamp.
In other words, I was never happy with any result that it provided, and went back to a level setup.
I now use a Rega P9 and don't think much about azimuth anymore. I played around with shim stacks to set the VTA/SRA and now leave that alone as well.
I think the best thing you can do is to run with a phono cartridge that has the depth and detail that you like, as well as a stylus profile that is tolerant of slight adjustment from what others might need for "perfection".
Certainly, and I don't think anyone would disagree, alignment and tracking weight need to carefully done for good results.
It's with conversations like this when you can appreciate why people so willingly left turntables behind in favor of the CD. How many of them were ever properly setup?
Edits: 11/16/14Follow Ups:
I've had two tables with arms that could be adjusted for azimuth, the first being an SL-1210 with a Sumiko headshell. I was amazed how much small increments changed the sound, at least as important as VTA/SRA.
Same was true of a JMW-9T which was particularly good at banishing sibilance as the proper azimuth was achieved.
I'm always amazed how often I read of meters, oscilloscopes, microscopes, lamps and such being employed and fussed over, in a purely subjective hobby, to find a result meant to please the only instrumentation that matters, ears.
At the request of the Moderators,
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I don't disagree that your ears should be the final test. I went from a VPI Scout to a Classic I only to discover that I just don't care for unipivot tonearms.That being said, I still don't think that for a fixed tonearm that azimuth should be a big thing - at least if there's nothing wrong with the cartridge.
And it's entirely possible that all that fussing around with the Fozgometer simply burned me out on placing too much faith in it ever again.
My most recent experience was with my Rega P9 and a (new to you) Te Kaitora with a SS level 3 rebuild.
From the start, after alignment and VTA it sounded just great. The Fozgometer told me there was a significant channel imbalance. I went with shims under one side of the cartridge to correct, but when I noticed a significant lean I went back to the original setup with no shims.
In this case, I likely should have let the cartridge break in before checking azimuth. As far as the Fozgometer goes, I no longer consider it to be a valid test tool. There's too many variables. And before anyone asks, I did download the test tracks and do the calibration routine.
I do have a dual trace digital scope and suppose I could use that to check for crosstalk, but - as you mentioned it's the sound that matters - right now it sounds great and I'm OK with that.
Edits: 11/16/14 11/16/14
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