2. analog
  3. 1291339365

Wilson-Benesch A.C.T. 0.5 arm azimuth

Wonder if any Wilson-Benesch Circle table (or just 0.5 arm) owners can offer any feedback on this ...

On any cartridge I've tried on this arm, to get the cartridge situated so it sits perpendicular to the record, the outrigger counter-balance arm is anything but 'level' - one side (the left) sits way higher than the other. The instructions seem to indicate the two weights on the counter-balance should sit pretty much evenly under normal circumstances. I've ensured the table is level. The arm moves freely and exhibits nothing untoward as far as the bearing goes.

I know the important thing is to get the cartridge where it should be, and the position of the counter-balance is secondary, but is this what you have found in your experience?

Thanks for any insight into this OCD-motivated question of mine :-)
steveaustin
kjweisner's avatar
kjweisner
293 posts
 
I second what Seeingeyedog posted. Have this arm today and the counterweight is always canted. Why should this be? I guess because the arm weight is not evenly distributed on either side of the pivot point. Perhaps more of the cartridge's weight is to one side of the center line because of the headshell offset? That said, i would not describe the difference as "way higher". But in the end, if you find equilibrium and your LPs play without any gross sonic defects, then it must be fine!
steveaustin OP
57 posts
 
Thanks very much guys for your comments. "Way higher" was probably an overstatement, but what kind of 'audiophile' would I be if I didn't overstate tiny differences from baseline? ;-)

"Canted" - a much better way to describe. Just didn't want the nagging feeling I didn't have things optimized and was missing something in the set-up of this arm.

Thanks for the gut check.
triode
263 posts
 
Mine too is canted to one side, after I used the Fozgometer to set proper azimunth - I too am a bit anal about visuals, and this has taken some acclimation on my part. But the sonic improvement is well worth it!
Ag insider logo xs@2x
isanchez
276 posts
 

A while back, I had the same turntable/tonearm for over a year, and I agree with what others have said. In order to achieve the right azimuth, the tonearm had to be rotated around its frontal axis by rotating the counter-weight on the back. In my case, this is what really focused the sound.
steveaustin OP
57 posts
 
Thanks Triode and Isanchez for weighing in.

Triode, I see looking at your system that at one point (in '09?) you were indicating you ultimately planned to upgrade your source. Did you? Or did you decide the W-B works for you after all?

Thanks again to all.
More to discover