Cartridge setup experts: Azimuth critique

100% @tablejockey 

Play it on a record.  Do you like the sound?

If so, best not to over-obsess.

Trade your microscope for some nice LPs and try to stop worrying.

I have never been this close to my stylus!

It seems tilted to the left a bit.

Like others say, enjoy the music, but if you can't let it go, get an azimuth meter so you can get some sleep.

Buy a Fozgometer

best money ever spent

version 1 is fine

Good lick

 Willy-T

The object of the exercise is to have the stylus perpendicular to the record. It looks like you have achieved this. Small adjustments should be made by ear - but if this is difficult, I wouldn’t bother. You would probably end up worse.

I would not install a compliant pad between the cartridge body and the tonearm or shell. Rigidity is what I seek, not compliance.

As for the Fozgometer, if I remember correctly, it works by equalizing crosstalk. That may work for some cartridges. I tried this with a Koetsu and it ended up at an absurd angle, and sounded terrible. Probably made a mistake of some kind. Anyway, I adjusted by ear, and the stylus ended up perpendicular. With my new tonearm I adjust on the fly to a few minutes of arc and it does make a difference - subtle but it’s there.

I say, enjoy what you’ve accomplished. Well done!

Please watch this to understand WHY we adjust the azimuth angle. Spoiler alert: it has nothing at all to do with the stylus/cantilever assembly.