Clearaudio Azimuth Optimizer V Fozgometer

Quite a bit more?...that's an understatement! The Clearaudio Azimuth Optimizer is currently retailing for around $3150 EU ($4300 USD), so it's unlikely that anyone hanging out here at Audiogon has made a comparison with a Fozgometer. If anyone has, it's probably the folks at Musical Surroundings, the distributor for Clearaudio and the Fozgometer. I would think that they'd want to know how the Fozgometer stacks up against the Optimizer. Whether or not they'd be willing to let that information out to the general public may be another matter. '-)

I own a Fozgometer so I'm curious if anyone responds to your question and provides a comparison.

Regards,
Tom

They are both a rip-off, is what I concluded from internet audio forum searches.

I use a very small round bubble level on the top of the cartridge to set the azimuth initially, then make very small arm azimuth adjustments and listen for optimal soundstageing and low distortion.

Total cost, $10 for the bubble level from Ebay.

Azimuth is best set by ear.

Don_c55,

I did the same gig with the bubble level on the headshell for a long time.
Got a Fozgometer for Christmas and when I checked it using the AP Test
LP, the measured azimuth was way off. I thought my rig sounded great
before, but once adjusted with the Fozgometer, I hear a definite
improvement in imaging and soundstaging precision and also a reduction in
surface noise.

After seeing how a minimal (tiny) amount of headshell rotation results in
such a big shift in readings on the meter, I think that it is nearly impossible
to set azimuth precisely without some type of measurement equipment.

Just my 2 cents based on my experience.

Happy New Year!
Dave

Dicockrum,

Did you try finer adjustments, after using the Fozgometer, or just believe the meter and go with that setting?

My arm [the original VPI JMW-10] has an azimuth ring with index marks and allows very, very fine adjustments.

The later VPI arms with dropped counter weight are too hard to adjust even with the SoundSmith Counter Intuitive IMO.

Rotating and locking a head shell is too crude for me, and most arms have no azimuth adjustment at all.

If you are satisfied thats fine, but YMMV applies here.

Other people have fine tuned, after using the Fozogometer, for even better results.

Don_c55,

I have only had the Fozgometer for one week so I have not yet had the chance to experiment with other settings based on listening. What I can say at this point is that the reproduction quality I am hearing after adjustment with the Fozgometer is noticeably better than I was able to obtain before.

Interestingly, I own a 1st Gen VPI JMW 12 arm with the marked azimuth ring. I recently reinstalled my Eminent Technology ET Two air bearing arm on my TNT and am enjoying it immensely. It is, however, more difficult to consistently set azimuth on the ET Two than with the JMW 12, so I find the Fozgometer to be a real benefit here.

I will probably try some very small adjustments to the Fozgometer-determined azimuth setting to see if improvement is possible. Even if this proves to be so, I consider the Fozgometer indespensible in baselining the azimuth setting when changing cartridges or making other adjustments on the ET Two.

I wish someone would invent a similar easy-to-use and repeatable device for baselining VTA!

Happy New Year!

Dave