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Setting Azimuth

Details:
VPI Scoutmaster
JMW 9 standard tonearm
Soundsmith Zephyr cartridge band new
Using a Fozgometer and Hi Fi News Test LP both also brand new
I'm measuring at the interconnects off the turntable.
I cannot seem to achieve a proper azimuth that will give even channel balance. The only adjustment on this tonearm is the counterweight which is weighted a the bottom so turning it side to side should effect azimuth. Only extreme changes are affecting channel balance. I changed the interconnects in case they were causing the problem, but I get the same results. The right channel is a few decibels louder no matter what I do to the azimuth unless I make an extreme adjustment which has the tonearm cocked to one side and obviously this is not correct.
arnold_layne
arnold_layne OP
141 posts
 
When I measure each channel separately with the fozgometer using tracks 4 & 5 of the hi-fi news test lp the right channel reads a stronger signal than the left channel.
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
I have a Zephyr and a Counter Intuitive on my JMW 10.5i arm and had little difficulty setting azimuth with my Fozgometer. Peter Ledermann does have reservations (which I've forgotten) about the Fozgometer, by the way.

I love this cart/arm combo but did call Peter when I was having a "low rider" situation with the stylus coming too close to the LP for comfort. What he said kinda surprised me: run the arm slightly tail-up (rather than level) and set the VTF at 1.4g, which he said would work fine with my arm, instead of the 1.8 to 2.2 range shown in the "manual" that came with the cart. This certainly did the trick as far as the low-riding was concerned.
arnold_layne OP
141 posts
 
Dopogue,

I've not experienced any issues with the cart clearing the outer ring clamp. I'm running at 2.0grams with the arm level. I've checked cartridge alignment against my Mint LP alignment template, and I'm tracing the arc properly and the cart is aligned to the tangent marks. There's no real anti-skate on this arm. Just the twisting of the tonearm wires coming out of the top into the junction box. It's just frustrating I cannot seem to achieve a close to equal signal on both channels. No matter what I do, the right channel is louder. I'll give your recommendations a try (1.4G and higher VTA) and report back.
philb7777
401 posts
 
Have you calibrated the Fozgometer? Mine had a similar issue. Downloaded the calibration tracks, burned them to CD, hooked the Fozgometer up to the CD player and calibrated it following the instructions. You will find thm on the Musical Surroundings website.

Try that and then recheck your azimuth via the Fozgometer.
arnold_layne OP
141 posts
 
Philb7777;

Ran the calibration. Left channel with calibration test disc is reading a bit lower than the right. I can reach 20db with the right channel, but the left reads slightly lower. I'm beginning to doubt the accuracy of the fozgometer.

A_L
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