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Bent Cant, Can't get azimuth right. Does it matter

Hello again,

I just got a new Benz Micro Gold for my scout and jmw-9 arm. When it arrived, the cantilever was bent slightly over to the left. I aligned using the vpi jig.
With the HI-FI news test record, I can track all the test tracks except the torture track 9. Everything sounds really good, and I am corresponding with Yip to get a mint lp sent out to me soon.

My problem is the azimuth set-up, track 5 side 2. Because the cartilever is bent slightly, in order to get the stylus perpendicular to the record I would have to tilt inward about 20 degrees! On the azimuth track, I can't get the output of the channels equal otherwise, but in all the tracking test tracks the output is identical?

My question is:

If the cartridge is tracking well (excellent) and I don't hear any distortion in my music, is having the azimuth perfect going to make a big audible difference?
I can always send it back to the dealer?

I added a photo of the cartridge to my system ( the photos need to be updated )

Any thoughts?
hanaleimike
travbrow
277 posts
 
Hi,I would send it back and demand a good one.You should not have to accept a flawed brand new(I assume you mean brand new never used)cartridge no matter if it affects the sound or not.I bought several cartridges in the last five years or so some new some used and none have a bent cantilever.
phaser
71 posts
 
Many here will tell you to send the cartridge back but it is not an uncommon problem. As long as it is not too severe and it doesn't look too severe from your photo then simply align using the cantilever rather than the cartridge body. Cartridge body alignment is not what you are aiming for. When you get Yip's Mint you will need to align the cantilever using parallax anyway. I have an Orpheus which is slightly twisted in the arm's head shell to ensure the cantilever is correctly aligned and I have no issue with azimuth adjustment as the cantilever is aligned correctly. The cartridge body simply looks a little odd in the head shell. Performance has been excellent for the last 700 hours. The Transfiguration manual makes a point of saying to align the cantilever and not the cartridge body so I guess that they are aware that the cantilevers are not always perfectly aligned. Should be but you have to deal with what you have not what you would like it to be.

In your system does it track OK when the cantilever is correctly adjusted for azimuth using your test record? If so then you will be OK. Seems like you are hearing good things so you can't be too far out.
johnbrown
195 posts
 
Well-yeah. Reproduction of music via a phonograph is based on various parameters at a very, very small level. Any of those parameters, singly and by themselves, may not seem particularly important, but they all combine into a whole that will, or will not, provide the best that your system can offer. Your picture doesn't seem to show an issue, but if it's as you describe, I'd definitely see about a change.

Oh, and I wouldn't become too enamored with the Test Record. Set up the cart with the Mint, and you should be good to go.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Benz bent slide to the side???
You might have tracking issues and you'll need to test by listening your groves.
I'd ask for replacement by warranty.
Take a patience and replace it.
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