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Bent Cant, Can't get azimuth right. Does it matter

Hello again,

I just got a new Benz Micro Gold for my scout and jmw-9 arm. When it arrived, the cantilever was bent slightly over to the left. I aligned using the vpi jig.
With the HI-FI news test record, I can track all the test tracks except the torture track 9. Everything sounds really good, and I am corresponding with Yip to get a mint lp sent out to me soon.

My problem is the azimuth set-up, track 5 side 2. Because the cartilever is bent slightly, in order to get the stylus perpendicular to the record I would have to tilt inward about 20 degrees! On the azimuth track, I can't get the output of the channels equal otherwise, but in all the tracking test tracks the output is identical?

My question is:

If the cartridge is tracking well (excellent) and I don't hear any distortion in my music, is having the azimuth perfect going to make a big audible difference?
I can always send it back to the dealer?

I added a photo of the cartridge to my system ( the photos need to be updated )

Any thoughts?
hanaleimike

Showing 1 response by rauliruegas

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rauliruegas
12,762 posts
 
Dear Hanaleimike: Normaly a test record is a help to confirm that we have a good cartridge set-up but at the end our ears are the best tool to decide if what we are hearing is right on target.

There is no reason that a " bent " cantilever preclude to make azymuth changes ( by ear ), so I can't see any trouble with your cartridge where you like its quality performance.
Now, a brand new cartridge ( in theory ) must comes with a straight cantilever and if in your cartridge this is not happening then make sense that you claim for a change of the item according the manufacturer warranty.

If we take the attitude: " that if sounds good is ok ", then the build quality control on audio items can't improve in detriment of us the customers, we have to claim!, especially on brand new items.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
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