OK, for you tube guys, and to a tube ‘newby’. For the last few days, it has seemed to me that when spinning viny there was a lean towards my left channel. The soundstage seemed unbalanced. This has been driving me a bit crazy. It wasn’t extreme, but enough that I could hear it, especially with classical recordings and instrument placement within the stage. So last night tried some digital test tracks for R&L Channel, measured, and everything seemed fine, as did any digital music I played. So, figured it isn’t the amp, isn’t the preamp, so perhaps the vinyl front end. Last night took stylast cleaner to my stylus (which I rarely ever use), thinking there may be some ‘gunk’ on it. No real change. So tonight I focused on the Hagerman. Flipped the center two (of the four) 12ax7’s, mmmm…maybe a small difference? Then, just flipped the two 12au7’s, and presto!, everything filled in and a full balanced soundstage returned. And it isn’t like the right channel is now more prominent, it just sounds as it should.
Why in the heck would this happen? Very curious and confused. Maybe I’m just crazy 😜
