Balance control?


I’m running an analog exclusive rig and feel like I’ve been dealing with a channel imbalance for awhile now. I’ve tried trouble shooting this every single way I can think of. The cartridge is set up correctly, checked tubes, etc. My question is: am I obsessing over finding the root cause or should I just cave and use the balance control on my integrated? I feel like it would be ideal to find the cause and not use the balance control. Dose using the balance control introduce anything into the signal? Ugh. 

paulgardner

Did you switch leads at the cart to determine if the imbalance is with the cart?

 

A balance control is another potentiometer in the circuit. If done well you are probably ok. Care to be more specific about your system?

My carts vary from +1.1 to -0.6 on the left channel, quite noticeable.

Are you asking if we can hear any degradation from your balance control?

Unless it can be switched out any "degradation" is built in.

Is room symmetrical? Sometimes channel imbalances may be due to room differences one side to the other, in this case asymmetrical placement of speakers needed.

Could also be hearing related, have ears checked, wax build up possible as well.