To LP Listeners: Fozgometer Experiences...

PS. After you have read part I of the Korf articles on azimuth, be sure then to read part II, which is found by clicking on the URL to the upper right of the part I article. These articles reflect my current opinion and practice as regards azimuth adjustment.

Especially this quote from Part III: "Measuring and minimizing crosstalk will give us a cartridge position where the generator coils are aligned, but the stylus isn't. Compared to aligning the stylus itself, it would result in worse HF reproduction, more harmonic distortion and worse tracking."

The files offered for listening here are not some random low-resolution samples taken from the internet. They were personally recorded by me using the same professional recorder in DSD 5.6 format, under identical recording conditions throughout the entire comparison process. In my opinion, they reproduce the sonic character of the different vinyl setups quite accurately.

You can simply listen to the three short samples in this folder and compare them yourself. You do not need to be a “golden ear” audiophile to hear the differences — unless, perhaps, you are listening through tiny computer speakers. Although honestly, I suspect the differences will still be noticeable even there.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qww_REnG37I_xHCPVtVtW6toZQ56PrdT?usp=sharing

The only thing I potentially plan to “sell” here — or rather recommend - is a few practical ideas for improving vinyl playback systems that anyone can try at home independently. And before deciding whether such changes are worth making, people will be able to listen to the comparative before-and-after samples I will upload. This is purely about sharing experience and observations — nothing more.

All I and Korf are saying is don't adjust azimuth by minimizing or equalizing crosstalk. Adjust it, if at all necessary, only to seat the stylus tip squarely or symmetrically in the groove. That's my opinion, of course, and Korf's opinion as well. This means no need for a Fozgometer at all.

Greetings,

@lewm Thanks for mentioning the issue with generator coils.

I think we all can agree that setting up a turntable involves numerous steps to get it setup correctly.

When I setup my TT and cartridge I follow 10 measurements/settings.

Level / P2S / Overhang / Zenith / Azimuth / VTF / VTA / SRA / AS /Listening.

If I missed any adjustment please let me know.

All adjustments are important.  
Everyone should view the instructions videos on WAM Engineering website. Very informative.
Joe

It’s not just an issue; it’s THE issue with setting azimuth, for reasons I hope are evident to anyone who reads all 3 installments of the Korf articles.  When I read them about 8 years ago, it permanently changed my thinking about azimuth adjustment. Not only because it makes sense but also because at that point I already had the experience of premature stylus wear and distortion caused by setting azimuth for optimal crosstalk only. It's far better to put up with a little inequality in crosstalk than to cause unnecessary stylus and LP wear and induce distortion by assymetrically setting the stylus tip with respect to the groove.