To LP Listeners: Fozgometer Experiences...

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.

@lewm very well explained, I use Krof’s method to set my azimuth also. Then I might hookup the Foz. to see what it is reading. Usually the reading is right on the money.

 I like audio Toys. That’s why I have a Foz..  It’s fun to have a tool ( that might be accurate) to verify settings. Ears are a good tool also.

It’s fun to try and make your system sound better.

Joe

I have been using a Foz meter for many years, I have a V1, along with the AP Test LP. I use it to seat the stylus as close to perfect as possible in the groove based on the Fox meter readings. I then check the channel balance and it always reads 0. Regarding crosstalk, you can see what the reading is by disconnecting the modulated RCA channel then see what the needle reads, repeat for other channel, ideally should be 0 on each channel, but we know there is always some noise crossing over.

I use a DVM to check for crosstalk, which usually I don't make any further adjustments than the Foz. I use the process that was outlined in MFremer's article in Analog Planet post. "That Crazy Little Thing Called Azimuth, part 2". My crosstalk is 36.5dBV in L and 35dBV in R, a very small difference but using the Foz has allowed me to improve on the stated specs for my Lyra Kleos.

It has resulted in a much wider 3D stage as well higher definition of instrument clarity. The Lyra carts are highly sensitive to small adjustments and perform better when you give them the attention they need. Setting a Lyra cart by sight, will not yield you the performance the cart is built to do. The Foz has easily given me a better performance from the carts I have used, I've had Delos and now use a Kleos. It also helped my AT OC9/MLII.....I think it is a great tool.

You can’t use the Foz to set the stylus tip unless you know that the internal structure of the cartridge is symmetrical with respect to the stylus tip. And if it is correct then the Foz should show you equal crosstalk in both channels when azimuth equals 90 degrees.  Otherwise the Foz will lead you to tilt the stylus tip in order to compensate for an asymmetry of the coils and magnets. Tilting the stylus tip with respect to the groove will cause distortion, aberrant stylus wear, and LP damage. That’s the point of the Korf articles. And for the Nth time, channel balance is not a goal at all when setting azimuth.

Apologies for being snotty in that last sentence. My bad.