Setting Azimuth

What I'm going to do is let the cartridge break in. Then I'll attempt to fine tune the azimuth again. I've ordered the SS Counter-Intuitive as I've wanted one anyways. I agree it should make minute and repeatable adjustments possible. This arm also does not allow the rotating of the side weights for azimuth adjustment like some of the other JMW arms. I like this turntable, but the JMW 9 basic arm is frustrating. I'd love to put a 10.5 arm with adjustable VTA on it but not sure how if it could mount on this turntable.

STeve

Agree with Actusreus re the CI. I own the VPI Classic and had always found adjusting azimuth and VTF nightmarish. But the CI changed all that. I believe that with the use of a tiny featherweight bubble level, I can adjust azimuth almost perfectly. Interestingly, VTF cnanges very slightly over the disc -- from outer edge to inner edge near the spindle. I suspect this is because of the timy force exerted by the tonearm wire twist used to make a rough justice AS adjustment.

Wow! You got a lot of response in a short time. I am too lazy to read them all, but the answer, as far as I am concerned, is that azimuth is NOT a way to change channel balance, if you are talking about the output of each channel. Azimuth has very little effect on output, as you have discovered. Azimuth affects crosstalk, the amount of information in the R channel that leaks into the L channel, and vice-versa. And adjusting azimuth is done to minimize crosstalk. Period.

And adjusting azimuth is done to minimize crosstalk. Period.

Wrong. You heard what I did with your neighbor Michael's rig. Minimizing crosstalk was not the objective.

I recall looking at the display on your computer and seeing how adjusting azimuth affected the relative phase of the two channels. I know you prefer to say that adjusting azimuth affects phasing. Most of us do not have the equipment to monitor phase whilst adjusting azimuth. However, I am fine with your correction of my bald statement; obviously azimuth affects both phase and crosstalk. But I don't think it's wise to confuse the OP. His issue seems to be channel output. My basic point is that adjusting azimuth is not a way to cure a difference in output between the two channels. Are you arguing with that point? I still say it is NOT a good way to do that. Nor is it even wise to correct channel balance by adjusting azimuth, since that may throw off the phase relationship, in your parlance, or result in suboptimal crosstalk, in mine.