What does mist racking actually sound like?

Yes, Peter, exactly so. It's a simple test, another of Paul's simple but brilliant brainstorms...

Find a passage that consistently (sounds like it) mistracks, that "Pffft" or "Bzzzt" sound Hifihvn and I described. Then play it several times at 2-3 rpm, spinning the platter by hand.

You'll hear and easily identify the music as a low frequency growl. The "mistracking" noise, if you still hear it, will sound distinctly different - MUCH sharper transients than any music.

If you hear that at 2rpm then you have groove damage or a pressing flaw, not mistracking. Any cartridge can track anything at 2rpm.

If you only hear it at normal speed then the cartridge is mistracking. VTF and/or anti-skating adjustment will usually (not always) resolve the problem.

P. S. Do NOT go backwards, EVER. No scratching like a DJ with your $4K cartridge. ;)

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I've made several strides today. It's amazing to not realize how much your sound is changing as a cartridge breaks in. Once the XV-1S suspension loosens up, things are now obvious and my sound had to get really shut in before I realized it.

I have now decreased my VTF from 2.174 grams to 1.935 grams. Much more air, more open, much less surface noise. My anti skate has been decreased by at least 70% from what it was set on. It's amazing how excessive anti-skate can affect rhythm and pace. I was floored! Changed my cart load from 400 ohm to 250 ohm. It's a tough one - I like the 50 ohm setting on my Cadence too, but the 250 just has more dynamics. I can easily see if I had a more flexible load settings on a phono-pre how the XV-1s would love its load to be between 100-150 ohms.

Still adjusting azimuth with a Fozgometer but at settings which support ideal azimuth, it sure looks unbalanced by my eyes. To my ears, I really cannot hear a difference between what my eyes say and the Fozgo says. I'll keep playing. Quick question - should I adjust azimuth by ears, eyes and Fozgo with anti-skate engaged at where I think it should be or not engaged at all for azimuth adjustments?

Thanks so much for the advice and suggestions. This has been and will continue to be a great learning experience.

:-)

It's amazing how excessive anti-skate can affect rhythm and pace.

Exactly so, as does excessive VTF. These two mis-adjustments sound very much alike. I know of two theories which purport to explain why. Whichever is correct (and both may be) there's no question about their deadening effects on sonics.

Fine tune azimuth again after you've got VTF and A/S fairly dialed in, with those parameters set where you actually play. The stylus should ALWAYS look vertical, no matter what any instrument says. Anything else could damage your vinyl. I rough in by eye and fine tune strictly by ear but if you're more confident using the Foz it certainly won't hurt. I used to use a similar device until I discovered I could do just as well by listening.

Sounds like you're making great progress!
Doug

Does not sound cool.