Azimuth adjustment makes very little difference to channel balance. Azimuth adjustment is done to minimize crosstalk. In so doing, one can target ether of two goals: (1) Equal crosstalk, L to R and R to L, or (2) Minimal crosstalk without regard to whether the db of crosstalk is equal, L to R and R to L. Both goals are valid. But you can almost never achieve both of these possible goals at the same time with the same cartridge.
From your verbal description, I am not sure what it is you were measuring, output from each channel or crosstalk.
From your verbal description, I am not sure what it is you were measuring, output from each channel or crosstalk.