Fozgometer?

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.

I had a very similar experience as Gjrad. My ears, friends ears something not right. I own the Fozgometer too and used it to dial in azimuth. What was not right now is!!! The Fozgometer works well and I've now adjusted azimuth on three other cartridges/headshell combinations. In each case the improvement was noticeable.