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Fozgometer?

Just yesterday read in Stereophile about this new tool for setting azimuth electrically. Sounds interesting, but also IMO is slightly borderline for myself to decide whether the cost ($250) would justify buying such a tool?

Downside with myself, is my Arm is not adjustable in azimuth, unless I maybe throw a Pipe Wrench on the Armtube?

Still, would be interesting to get other's opinions, and hopefully soon, some user's accounts of such a tool? Mark
markd51
restock
831 posts
 
Here is a much cheaper and better way, which is really not much more difficult:

You can use the same method (Test record with 1KHz test signal) with a laptop and a free downloaded spectrum analyzer. I feed the signal from my phonostage into my Macbook.

Spectrum analyzer is iSpectrum. You can put a marker at 1KHz that displays the signal in dB at 1KHz (so no notch filter needed). You can toggle iSpectrum between left and right channel so that you can easily measure the crosstalk in dB.

For example, you measure a signal at -30dB in the left channel and the crosstalk at -66dB in the right channel giving you a crosstalk separation of 36dB. You minimize the crosstalk just as for the Fozgo meter.

This method is free, only requires a RCA to mini cable to connect to your Laptop and the signal is more stable as you can choose different averaging method with iSpectrum. Another plus is that you see the frequency played from LP displayed in the spectrum analyzer so can finetune the speed of the turntable as the signal should be direct at 1KHz.

This method safes you both the need for a the Fozgo + KAB spectrum analyzer. Let me know if you have any questions.
restock
831 posts
 
The difference is that, instead of a 1khz tone, it has a pink noise tone. I doubt if that would make a difference, though. Either should work.

For both the Fozgo and the method I just described you need a sine signal, for pink/white noise the signal is not stable. The Cardas record works well as the 1KHz signal is in the middle of the record.
tfkaudio
591 posts
 
I'll try it again with a 1Khz test tone and report back...

Tom
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
Nice tip, Restock. I'll give it go on a PC with TrueRTA. Thanks!
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
"Mechanical" azimuth alignment is the only way to go if your arm has the capability!

The diamond needs to be "visually" aligned.

Set the diamond on a CD and look "head on" at the reflection of the tip, for correct azimuth alignment.

The electrical "balance" (output in each channel) of a cartridge is almost never exact. You need to adjust the balance control for the proper centering of the image after azimuth is set.

The "fozgometer" is BS!
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