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Using Test LP - curious observations

I've been tremendously enjoying my Lyra Delos with the Classic for about 1.5 yrs now, and just recently remembered I had the Hi-Fi News Analogue Test LP and got the urge to test my setup.
Here are some of my observations that came as a surprise to me:
1) Anti-skate (Bands 6,7,8,9 on side one) - the cartridge "passed" the test on Band 6 without any anti-skate, but there was audible buzzing coming from the right channel at higher amplitudes. Applying anti-skate made NO difference whatsoever to the results, whether on setting 1, 2 or 3 (most anti-skate). I prefer the sound without anti-skate so this only seemed to confirm that applying anti-skate arguably does nothing to improve the sound and likely makes it worse. It also seems to shed some light on why Harry doesn't like anti-skate.
2) Azimuth (Band 5 on side two) - My preamp has a mono switch so this seemed pretty straightforward. According to the instructions, there should be minimal (if any) mono output if the cartridge was aligned perfectly. Well, there was certainly some output, which immediately worried me, but what really left me scratching my head was the fact that no adjustment appeared to correct it, or make a significant difference. I use the Soundsmith's Counter Intuitive to fine-adjust VTF and azimuth, and after about 2 hours of a wide range of adjustments in azimuth through the CI, it was virtually impossible to determine the optimal azimuth setting, i.e., the output seemed consistently the same regardless of adjustments.

Please free to comment, share your experiences or explain my curious results. Or are they not curious?
actusreus
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
I use the same HIFI News 'torture test' but with the assumption that they (may) provide some indication about the stylus condition (?). To my knowledge 50 micron should be adequate for any 'normal'LP. My Phase Tech P-3G 'refuses' to
pass the 60 micron test but will pass any 'normal' LP test. The most
of my MM carts pass 80 micron test with 1,5 g VTF but there is a correlation with the anti-skate. With more anti-skate force the 'buzz' from the R.channel disappear. The logic suggest that the 'buzz' means more pressure on the 'outside' (R.channel) groove but above, say, 60 micron the question may be only academic(?).

Regards,
tonywinsc
583 posts
 
Keep in mind that the channel balance of phono cartridges is in the 1-2 dB range. So you are bound to hear something on the mono test. I think the intent is to find the minimum level which should be at the optimum geometry point. I perceive just the slightest shift in soundstage center, like maybe an inch, when playing records vs. CDs. I'm assuming it is the difference in channel balance of my cartridge and maybe even compounded just a bit by the preamp tubes.
nanbil's avatar
nanbil
40 posts
 
I found just the opposite when using the Hi-Fi test LP-it also verified that a high quality phono stage is important. When using my Denon DL-S1 through the phono stage in my Musical Fidelity A3cr pre-amp there was a just bit of audible distortion (buzzing) on band 7, with more on band 8, and again significantly more heard on band 9. Changing out the A3cr's phono section with my kW phono stage by Musical Fidelity (no other changes) resulted in no audible distortion through both bands 7 and 8 and only minimal audible distortion on band 9. When I took the anti-skate to zero (I use a Rega P7 with a Rega Rb700 tone arm) there was significantly distortion (buzzing) heard in the right channel on all three of the above named tracks. And while the Denon is able to track through track 9 with no anti-skating, I can say that there was a clear difference between the amount of distortion (buzzing) heard when various amounts anti-skate were applied. Whether or not this applies when playing music is debatable, but in my set-up, using a test record, applying a small amount anti-skate provided clearly audible benefits.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
None of the vinyl you'll play day to day have amplitude levels found on the test record.

The torture tracks are a waste of time.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
With regard to (1), Audiofeil nailed it. Using an over-amplified test track makes no more sense than using its opposite, an ungrooved surface. Neither corresponds to real-world conditions. Adjust VTF and A/S by listening to real music.

With regard to (2), the amount of azimuth adjustment needed to equalize crosstalk is EXTREMELY small, 1 or 2 degrees at most. You want the stylus vertical in the groove to minimize vinyl wear/damage so always start from that point: make the stylus look vertical whilst playing a (real) record. Then make TINY, TINY, TINY azimuth adjustments whilst listening for the tightest imaging. When you think you've got it nailed, recheck that your stylus still looks vertical. Again, no test record required (and no mono switch either, my preamp doesn't even have one).

Train and trust your ears, leave the poorly designed tools on the shelf.
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