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Right channel bias in analog setup

As an analog newbie, I’ve been fighting with my turntable setup for a while now and am raising my hand for some help please. I have an original VPI Scout with a new Denon 103R cartridge connected to a Denon AU-300LC step-up transformer. This is connected to a Sutherland 20/20 phono pre-amp, which is connected to a Mark Levinson 326S pre-amp/Levinson 436 monoblock/Wilson Audio Sasha output. For some reason, when I am playing records, there is an obvious right channel bias where imaging seems right of center, regardless of what record I’m playing. When I switch to digital sources such as my CD player (Levinson 390S) or streaming (Amazon Echo Link), with the same music, everything is centered as it should be. I assumed the problem was an azimuth setup problem as I've read that channel bias can be due to balance problems there. After trying different variations, I finally got the system to image correctly, but the arm/cartridge is ridiculously leaning to the left. I can't believe this is the correct setup and that it won't eventually hurt the records and/or the cartridge over time. Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
henrus
bukanona
174 posts
 
Which VTF do you use - 2,5g ?
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
henrus:
Oh my god. @millercarbon, you are completely right.
Heh.

Savor.


I have noticed that when the last track of the record is playing, the right channel shift is noticeably less pronounced.

Right. Because the solution VPI came up with is inconsistent. Now again I never used one of these so not really sure if it works the way I’m thinking. But it looks like as the arm moves inward it changes the twist in the wire. Not even sure which way the darn thing twists! But now you know what is going on you can figure it out and fix it.
Though has anyone else mentioned this problem? It’s so clearly obvious that anyone with a Scout or similarly built turntable should be reporting it? How the heck can you correct for something like this. Crazy,

Yeah it is crazy. Actually the anti-skate problem does come up, at least often enough a guy like me who’s never even seen a VPI knows all about it. Usually though people don’t seem to notice until its off enough to cause actual mistracking and breakup. The level of anti-skate error you are noticing, slight center image shift, is actually quite small.

You might be able to tweak it out with patient persistent wire twisting. Or get it down to where its not worth the bother. One thing you may notice, the center image shift is but the most obvious sign. Because if the center image is shifting then really the whole stage is a bit weak compared to what it could be. Fine tuning and tweaks is where its at with vinyl. Its the difference between being a lot better than digital and OMG why does anyone ever even want to listen to anything else!?!
It would be real simple to make your own anti-skate, if it weren’t for your JMW-9 arm being uni-pivot. It can still be done, just a little trickier to implement. Can you use the VPI option?
henrus OP
12 posts
 
Can you use the VPI option? 
Yes, I plan to order it and see how it functions. Thanks again for the tip!


henrus OP
12 posts
 
Which VTF do you use - 2,5g ?
Yes, that is what I set it to. 

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
You're using Denon cartridge with conical tip and this tip is less sensitive to errors in alignment. 

Your Denon cartridge must have a printed test of L & R output signal, you can also measure it yourself. This is very cheap cartridge and channel imbalance is pretty common if it wasn't specially selected/calibrated sample.  

However, make sure your phono cable is fine. 

 
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