Analog Magic Question

@ledoux1238 

You ask a fair question, what am I hearing?  How do I characterize the sound of distortion?  Or more specifically, when distortion is reduced, what is the result?  I am not good at describing sound.  My records sound clearer, more open.  An analogy might be drawn with photography.  It is like the difference between a well depicted image and one that is a little bit blurred.  I am still hearing that it is a Steinway backing Sarah Vaughan, but both are easier to hear.  Does that make sense?  The difference is not subtle I can tell you that.

Lewm,

Now you know of two and I can tell you from having used both, that for correcting zenith AnalogMagik is far easier to use.  The other parameter that by measurement contributes significantly is azimuth.  These two together, azimuth and zenith, contribute more distortion, and in consequence offer the greatest opportunity for improvement of all of the variables.

@lewm 

I have heard that the tool is difficult to use and/or may require sending the cartridge to Wally

The Wally zenith tool is easy to use IF you send the cart in for microscopy analysis which precisely measures zenith error as well as providing a custom shim to optimize SRA/VTA at the headshell, which is what I did.

Otherwise you are correcting by ear which I imagine isn't easy, hence Bill's comment that AnalogMagik is easier.

I have not used AnalogMagik so I am not advocating one method over the other.  

And further to that point I did not send my cartridge for microscopy analysis so my comparison is not fair either.  One other interesting observation is that using AnalogMagik I found SRA and VTA contribute comparatively little distortion.

So what does Wally or Analog Magik do to correct Zenith error? I have heard talk of a shim, in the case of Wally, but I don't see how a shim can correct zenith.  Seems to me you need to twist the cartridge with respect to the long axis of the headshell in order to bring zenith error down to zero or close to it.

Bill, when you mention azimuth, are you aiming for equal crosstalk in both channels by electronic measurement, or are you aiming for setting the stylus square or symmetrical with respect to the groove walls?