Cartridge alignment channel balance measurements?

I have been playing with this PureVinyl software in combination with using the HiFi-News test record. There is a real time Input Balance measurement that gives you a +/- 0.00 measurement. So this would be a differential offset of channel balance.

I would guess that to measure crosstalk, one would have to find a test track for left and a test track for right channels to see the bleed over onto the opposite channel? The idea is to have minimal bleed over into the disabled channel of the test track?

 
Start with the Cardas Frequency Sweep test record for $24 from Acoustics Sounds (or whomever), along with a Voltmeter, then ...

How to measure crosstalk
 

Tim, excellent thread, thank you.

Be sure to read on down that thread on the importance of using a bandpass filter at 1kHz, or you won't get the desired results.

James1969,

When I adjusted azimuth with this method I used the Wally Analog Shop, same as Jtimothya. It works exactly as he described and you can DIY as he also described, subject to Dan_Ed's provision that you use a narrow bandpass filter centered on the frequency of the test tone. Without that, surface noise makes readings highly variable and difficult to interpret.

I actually haven't bothered with the Analag Shop for at least a couple of years. As the resolution of our system grew we learned to adjust azimuth by listening, just as accurately, faster and while playing music rather than test tones. Besides, our current cartridge, when properly azimuth-ed, produces crosstalk below the resolution of my multimeter. Using Wally's chart it's somewhere below 0.3db, which makes the whole rigamarole ineffective without investing in more sensitive equipment. It's easier to just play music and fiddle!

The thing to listen for is the tightest possible sonic images (from L to R). The narrower and better focused an instrument or vocalist sounds, the closer you are to minimal crosstalk. Intruments and vocalists with pure tones in the higher registers are best. Our hearing system is most sensitive to directional/spatial clues at higher frequencies.

BTW, I wouldn't say the measuring method isn't worth trying. You'll learn something, including how remarkably tiny adjustments to azimuth can have a measurable and audible influence. From your baseline starting position (which probably should be "stylus appears vertical while playing in the groove", not "headshell appears horizontal") changes of less than 1 degree will make a difference. Go very gently with this adjustment.

Best,
Doug