Setting Azimuth

I haven't used it but I would recommend looking into the Soundsmith "Counter Intuitive" which allows precise adjustment of azimuth AND tracking force. They are currently backordered but I'm going to pick one up when available. Meanwhile, I've had my Scout for like 8 years now and agree that getting the azimuth correct is challenging and it is particularly hard to do so without upsetting your tracking force adjustment since when you move the counterweight laterally in inevitably alters the tracking force. What I have done is purchased rubber "O" rings which fit snuggly around the tonearm shaft at the rear end behind the counterweight (i.e. the "stub" end). I slide a few on and then set my tracking force approximately where I want it. Then I do the azimuth by swinging the counterweight into the proper position. Finally, I go back and add or subtract "O" rings to marginally increase or decrease the tracking force. (Each "O" ring works out to approximately a tenth of a gram). Again, the "Counter Intuitive" seems like a much better solution but my approach has also works quite well. One additional thing I would say is that your azimuth adjustment is probably LESS critical given the stylus profile of the Zephyr, which is designed to account for "azimuth roll". Other cartridges will require a more precise adjustment of this parameter depending upon how forgiving the stylus profile is. So I am a bit surprised that you are not getting an even channel balance unless your azimuth (or some other parameter) is way off the mark.

Get the soundsmith counter intuitive. It will make your life a bit easier. It is another small weight that fits over the vpi offset counter weight. It comes with an adhesive grid that you attach to your vpi weight. Then you slide on the soundsmith weight over it. Once it is in place you can fine adjust azimuth and VTF with a grid to mark your adjustments. A VERY useful device. Check it out.

Andy

Check the offset angle of your cartridge. A misaligned cartridge will cause channel imbalance. The Mint protractor is an excellent alignment tool.

I cannot seem to achieve a proper azimuth that will give even channel balance.

Azimuth has little if any effect on channel balance (except when very badly mis-adjusted, as you've experienced). You're measuring the wrong thing.

This has been discussed many times on this forum. I suggest you search and read before further spinning your wheels whilst aimed in the wrong direction.

When I measure each channel separately with the fozgometer using tracks 4 & 5 of the hi-fi news test lp the right channel reads a stronger signal than the left channel.