Fozgometer?


Just yesterday read in Stereophile about this new tool for setting azimuth electrically. Sounds interesting, but also IMO is slightly borderline for myself to decide whether the cost ($250) would justify buying such a tool?

Downside with myself, is my Arm is not adjustable in azimuth, unless I maybe throw a Pipe Wrench on the Armtube?

Still, would be interesting to get other's opinions, and hopefully soon, some user's accounts of such a tool? Mark
markd51
Dear Don_c55, You may be correct that as far as the stylus is concerned it is best off being centered in the groove, but this is by no means an assurance that azimuth is thereby optimal. The coils and motor of the cartridge can easily and often be out of line with the stylus tip. Also, you are correct in implying that azimuth adjustment is not the way to set balance. (Indeed, azimuth has little effect on balance, anyway.) But as far as I can tell from reading about it, the Fozgometer is not BS; sounds like it really works. There are many bogus devices for sale in the audio marketplace, but the Foz comes from a very reputable and old line audio source. Chances are the guy who designed it and sells it knows more about the problem than you do. Be humble.
Don_c55,

The electrical "balance" (output in each channel) of a cartridge is almost never exact. You need to adjust the balance control for the proper centering of the image after azimuth is set.

Both the Fozgo and the spectrum analyzer method does not adjust for "Balance" but for "Crosstalk". Crosstalk is the only correct way to tell 1-2 degree accuracy of azimuth alignment for the cartridge.
Wouldn't the soundcard in your laptop need to be calibrated to provide an accurate measurement? I know that some room measuring software, such as REW, requires that your soundcard be calibrated in order to provide an accurate measurement.

No need to calibrate the soundcard as you are only measuring a single frequency at 1KHz. I would assume that input into a soundcard is pretty balanced as far as sensitivity goes. If you want to make sure the measurement does not depend on balance, switch channels and see whether the results are the same.

For frequency response measurements, a calibration is useful as most likely a soundcard is not perfectly flat with respect to frequency response.

Good luck,

Rene
Also when I say soundcard, I should say that that the Microphone input on the Macbook is good enough for azimuth and speed. For frequency measurements a better soundcard (e.g. Agogee Duet) would be preferable.
My position is that setting az by some measurement technique is a good way to get to the ballpark. It is still required to fine tune by ear to get the best sound, IMO. Saying that, I realize that most people will just stay with what the meter tells them and be happy.