"Straight" talk

Chakster, I know I´m right and I completely agree with A. J. Van Del Hul.
Well, he is a specialist isn´t he. And he´s not the only expert with that opinion/experience in this complicated business.
Most of my carts perform best with flat or/and a bit high position but never in low position (then highs become worse both quantity and quality). Many things in analog /physics are simple atfer all.
But I must admit the Foz gadget is quite tempting...

According to www.analogplanet.com , the later versions of the Foz are self-calibrating.

Regarding setting azimuth by ear... some rooms are not symmetrical and there may be other room circumstances that would be beneficial to set azimuth by ear. It is more fun.

@stringreen,

Why do you dismiss offhanded (setting azimuth by ear?)

With the 3d arm, this operation should be quick and easy. And an experienced music listener such as yourself, should be able to perform, no problem.

Forget the FOZ!

Lay a CD playing side up on your turntable. Put a very tiny bubble level (you can find them on Ebay) on top of the head shell just in front of the mounting screws. Set the stylus on the CD. Then repeat, to adjust the azimuth to "center" the bubble.

The diamond will be exactly vertical to the Lp, and the azimuth optimal.

Makes a very big difference in size and width of soundstage, and also improves detail.