Azimuth and the Fozgometer


Finally received the Fozgometer after a 2 month backorder. In the past I have always used a loupe and a front surface mirror to set the azimuth on my Tri-Planar with Dynavector XV-1S cartridge. According to the meter, I was very close to a correct azimuth. I wasn't prepared for the effects that a very slight adjustment would make. Nailing the azimuth has brought my soundstage into tight focus. I have never experienced this kind of solid imaging in my system.
I know that the $250 price tag is a bit steep for something that won't get a lot of use, but this is not a subtle improvement. There are other ways of measuring azimuth, that I am not very familiar with, but I would doubt that they are as easy to use as the Fozgometer.
czapp
100% what Doug said. Getting AZ correct by listening can be problematic for even seasoned listeners when using an arm that requires the adjuster to start and stop while actually changing the AZ. This can make it very easy to lose the reference that was just heard prior to stopping to make the change. For this reason I would use my DMM to crudely minimize crosstalk with my Triplanar one time, then adjust by ear from there.

Palasr and I played with the OTF azimuth on the Talea proto at his place. I would describe the change by recalling to everyone the Bose radio commercials where the picture of that tiny system suddenly grows to some enormous size. That is how I would describe the change in sound when the AZ is dialed in and out on the Talea. You can easily hear the fullness of sound come in and out. It takes very small turns on the AZ adjust screw of the Talea.

I have nothing against the Foz, I just don't need it or Feikert's software with the Talea. Heck, I don't even need my DMM anymore, not that it was all that helpful. :-)
Larryi,
I don't deal with Acoustic Sounds any more. Chad is the definition of a manager who has his "customer base" as secondary to the bottom line!
Unless you are in a different tax catagory than am I!
I have the Fozgometer. It's a great tool and I recommend it. It seems like this tool still just isn't enough for some, because of the tone used to test at etc. But, put it in perspective: EVERY adjustment on a turntable is an approximation. Alignment is an approximation (pivoted arms), VTF (subjective for sound), VTA/SRA (no standard), and now azimuth. So really, theres no such thing as an absolute setting for any of this. The Fozgometer is reliable and the simplest way to get azimuth as close to ideal as possible.
the simplest way to get azimuth as close to ideal as possible.

Maybe for some.
Does anyone know if the fozgometer measures millivolts and compares them from side to side? If so, then couldn't one just use a millivolt meter or a oscilloscope to measure each side and adjust the azimuth until the voltages are the same? Or does the fozgometer measure something else?