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

Tketcham, there are two parameters in a given MC cartridge that need to be aligned when mounted in a given tonearm:

1) the position of the stylus' polished area in relation to the cutting angle of the groove walls.

2) the position of the coils (attached to the cantilever) in the designed center of the magnet field.

The first is a matter of azimuth, VTA and geometry of the given tonearm.
This parameter most certainly varies with different records (different cutting angles, different record thickness) as the groove-compliant VTA is depending on the record under track and the angle that record's matrix was cut with.

The second point is a matter of VTF (and to some degree and in some cartridges a matter of "break-in" - i.e.: of time....).
However- there is only ONE optimal VTF when the cantilever (and thus the coils... ) is positioned in the absolute center of the magnetic field.
It may ever so slightly vary with time (suspension giving slowly in or ambient temperature varies), but it is constant during the "healthy live-span" of a cartridge and under constant ambience conditions.
There may be 2-4 positions of a cantilever inside a given cartridge where one may thinks the alignment is "o.k." - but in reality as in theory there is only one optimal position.
D.

D., I was referring to the horizontal position/alignment of the cantilever relative to the cartridge body. If the cantilever is noticeably offset from centerline with the body than there's a problem. But your point about vertical positioning of the cantilever is also true.

Tom

Hi Tom, the situation you do describe is a cartridge which should always and right away be returned to the manufacturer - its certainly defective.
Which brings us back to Raul and the fact that we - the customer - do get what we accept.
If we accept less than perfect mechanical craftsmanship, than we deserve no better - and will get no better.
Any cartridge - for any price - should be mechanically perfect and geometrical correct to its design parameters to start with.
No excuse - no exceptions (no matter how much hype around its 120+ year old designer (coming from 20+ generations of ancient warriors.....) who only makes 12 samples a year and only at full moon and with wire delivered by real Trolls........).
Cheers,
D.

Hi Dertonarm,

I aligned my new cartridge with the Mintlp which arrived today. Even with only a few hours on the cartridge it sounds amazing compared to the last one. In regards to your comment about vtf, what in your experience is the window for the "one optimal vtf" I was playing around with the vtf tonight. When the vtf is too low, the magic of the mint is lost, when I had too high a vtf ( vpi recommends .1 plus the maximum manufacturer recommendation, which in my case would be 2.3) things start to sound damped and a bit dead. It seems to be best at around 2.2-2.3. How many decimal points is the size of this window? Should I still be fine tuning to the next decimal point? I had it and lost it a couple of times tonight in the 2.1-2.4 range. I also noticed a difference of .1 when setting the gauge on the platter vs. the record. I have been using the platter height. Any tips you may have would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

Hi Mike, in general: in the very first 1-20 hours of a new modern cartridge you will notice that the sounds does change literally if not by the minute, but by the hour. The suspension velocity needs to adapt to the ambient conditions and needs these initial "break-in" to adjust itself to its specs.
It is always good, to set the initial VTF at the upper maximum of the recommended range. I would stick to the 2.2 grams and just play and wait till you have at least 20-30 hours of actual playing on the cart.
No need to fine tune the VTF now, - nor would it show it.
Get past the initial break-in and do adjust the "sweet-spot VTF" when the cartridge is actual awake (read: suspension has reached specified velocity).
Do ever so little decrease the VTF then till you find the spot with the most open, dynamic sound, while still not lacking authority and weight.
As we can't really look into the cartridge with a microscope while playing, the fine-tuning of the VTF too is a matter of ears, experience and skill.
Move slowly, precise and only after you are sure the break-in period is past you.
Please make sure the tonearm is absolutely in zero-balance before setting any VTF.
Enjoy,
D.