"Making Mono" for checking Azimuth

04-02-12: Bifwynne
Al, what do you think about my use of the small bubble level thingy that comes with my protractor kit? Seems to me that if the air bubble is dead center while the sylus is sitting on the record, azimuth is perfect. Am I missing something?

Hi Bruce,

Doug is the expert on that sort of thing, so it would be best to await his answer. Stringreen's response seems logical, but I have no particular feel for how much variation is typically encountered from cartridge to cartridge (between identical models as well as between different models) in how precisely the stylus, cantilever, and generator mechanisms are aligned relative to the cartridge body. Also, of course, that methodology presumes that the turntable has been adjusted such that the platter is perfectly level, as it should be.

Best regards,
-- Al

Very simple to do with Graham AZ-1 Azimuth Adjusting System. Use with monophonic record to determine the optimum azimuth position for the stylus tip. Works perfect.

Any suggestions for the SME system (or apparent lack thereof)?

Cousinbilly1,

The styli on even the best cartridges may vary 2-3 degrees from vertical (per JCarr of Lyra, who once posted candidly about manufacturing tolerances). It wouldn't be surprising if cutting styli varied similarly.

Aren't you glad you have the ears and gear to hear the difference? Welcome to the Yellow Sticky Note Club! <:~)

By all means start saving for the Telos... and ship the Talea II to us for the extended evaluation it deserves. ;)

Agree I'm very lucky to have Paul, and red wine too!

***
My blushes, Almarg!

I concur with Stringreen, except to note that even the best cartridge manufacturers' styli may vary from vertical by 2-3 degrees (see above). Therefore, levelling the headshell for azimuith is somewhat like levelling the armtube for SRA: it's not an unreasonable place to begin but in a resolving system it's not the place to stop either.

When feasible, my own preference is always to adjust what matters, which is the attitude of the STYLUS in the GROOVE.

In contrast, I know of a guru who claims that if your optimal azimuth is more than 2 degrees off vertical, you should send your cartridge back to the maker as defective. I do not agree, but he is quite adamant that in most cases azimuth adjust is not necessary, off 90 degrees.

Doug, Perhaps this is blasphemy of another sort, but have you ever checked the actual electrically determined crosstalk after adjusting azimuth by ear?