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Rega Ania Cantilever Bent?

I bought a rega P6/Ania combo and I just cannot get the sound right. The left channel sound 30% weaker than right channel. I checked the alignment (using Rega protractor) and tracking force (~1.9g) and I switched input for phono preamplifier and the sound problem did switch. So the problem is from turntable. Then I closely looked at the cantilever and noticed it is “bent” slightly inward. (Picture attached). Could any Ania owner help to confirm if it is bent or it is made in that way. (From stock picture , it is straight and right in the center) Thanks.
mac2019
mac2019 OP
7 posts
 
One more thought, cantilever is connected to the cartridge body through a suspension, which allows cantilever move around freely to pass the motion to coil.(MC). for some reason, the cartridge is NOT perfectly aligned, the cantilever will be pushed slightly off cartridge center by the groove. When playing stops, cantilever will stay at that position. So basically, alignment with cartridge or cantilever is SAME. The cantilever will eventually offset the imperfection in cartridge alignment because it actually move freely (by suspension). Well, if it is not problem of cantilever, then I need continue to look for the reason behind the imbalance of left and right channel. :(
paulcreed
559 posts
 
One channel on tonearm wires could be reversed and out of phase or antiskate is off, just a thought

mac2019 OP
7 posts
 
Some said if antiskate is too much, it may cause the “off center”! Cantilever . Currently, it is set as 1.75 as Rega suggested. Not sure if I should reduce it further? 

Reversed? You mean the connections on cartridge?  Thanks
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 
Go through everything from scratch. If not fixed, call the dealer before you bust something! Something is not right.
mac2019 OP
7 posts
 
One correction. It is right channel(red RCA connection) weaker than left channel. right channel is actually from the outer side of groove based on the discussion I read online. it may be consistent with the fact that cantilever is bent inward toward center. 

I will try to switch the connection in cartridge to identify the problem is from off-center of cantilever/stylus, not from tonearm wire.   The cantilever is off center already when I received it.  

Any thought or suggestion is welcome. 
 
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