2. analog
  3. 1211645270

setting azimuth on VPI turntables

I purchased a VPI Scoutmaster a few weeks ago, being unenthusiatic over the sound, I was considering selling up until last night.

I had been over cartridge setup for this table a number of times, getting overhang, alignment, azimuth, VTF, and VTA just right. Still, things were not sounding all that good.

I had previously purchased the Fremer DVD so I did know about setting up this table optimally. I surmised the rod method of setting azimuth, as instructed in the VPI manual, was not optimal and part of the culprit in non-involving sound.

I finally got around to purchasing a DMM with a low enough AC voltage scale the other day. After much trial and error I finally got a crosstalk differential of less than 1%, a miracle with this setup. Setting azimuth on this table is a real PITA, everytime I got azimuth within specs, VTF went out of balance.

Eventually I got it right, the payoff in sound was way big time! Center image is now 'locked in', way more solid and dimensional. Images are also now floating free of the physical speaker, spaciousness, air in spades, a much more organic sound.

Having heard some complain about this table's uninvolving nature and lack of musicality prompted me to post this thread. I suspect many have not had their table set up correctly, because I certainly heard what they were talking about prior to getting azimuth 'locked in'. VPI owners, it is absolutely necessary to set azimuth electronically, the rod method in not nearly good enough! Get a proper DMM or get someone knowledgable to set up your table, you just might be in for a big surprise!

Vinyl setup:
VPI Scoutmaster, non-signature, Valhalla wired arm wand in near future
Dynavector 20XL
Cayin Phono One
DIY wall shelf using 3" thick maple
Bright Star Big Rock, going to try Gingko 11 in near future
SDS and ring clamp coming soon
sns

Showing 4 responses by viper_z

viper_z
95 posts
 
Guys, pls help a newbie here. I have never used a multimeter before, but I know that it has two probes (+ and -). At the back of my amp there's only two output (left and right). So if I'm going to measure the right channel output voltage, I connect the (+) probe from my multimeter to the right output post of my amp, where should the (-) probe goes?

Thanks
VZ
viper_z
95 posts
 
Sorry guys...I didn't know what I was talking about. There are two output posts for each left and right channel on the back of my amp. Case closed.
viper_z
95 posts
 
Hmm...I tried the DMM method for the first time. I bought the $40.00 Analogue Productions Test LP. I first played the stereo mode 1kHz tone and turned my volume up so that the output voltage from my amp reads about 4V on both side.

Then I played the left 1kHz tone and measure the right output voltage, I got very unstable reading between 0.02 to 0.08V.

I then played the right 1kHz tone and measure the left output voltage, I got between 0.22 to 0.3V.

So now I turn the tonearm weight in one direction to try to get my left output voltage to fall below 0.1V. But the funny thing is, even when I turned all the way to the extreme position, the left still measure between 0.17 to 0.26V. There's no way I can get it to the same small reading as my right output.

So does this means my cartridge is faulty or what?
viper_z
95 posts
 
Sns, of course, I tried turning the other direction and the voltage increases instead of decreases.
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