Clearaudio Azimuth Optimizer V Fozgometer

Lewm

I do not assume the optimal is with the cartridge parallel to the recored, that is just a starting point.

The bubble level that i use is very small (about 1/3 inch in diameter) and weighs next to nothing.

I aim for the diamond to be perpendicular to the record.

This assumes the cartridge is properly made, which I believe my ZYX Airy 3's are.

I believe small adjustments by ear, after the initial setting (whatever method you use), are an assurance that azimuth is spot on even if the cartridge construction is slightly off.

I may try the Fuzgometer after all, as it is not too much money.

Happy New Year,
Don C.

hello 1stump.
if you yuse a fozgometer or the claraudio azimuth optimizer, you have to read some numbers at the display and how correct can you do that? i am shure that you will come closer to the azimuth by listning with you ears.(sorry my English)
nils valla dk.

hello 1stump.
when you use a fozgomete or the clearauio azimth optimizer, you have to read numbers at the display,an that will never be as easy and correct as settig azimuth by ears.(sorry my English)
happy newyear nils valla dk

Don and Bif, There were so many reports on this forum of odd results with the Fozgometer that I have never purchased one or even tried one out in my system. I am sure that some of those reported problems were due to misapplication of the instrument, but nevertheless, the seeds of doubt were sewn. I own an ancient Signet Cartridge Analyzer, and that's what I've used to set azimuth. The advantage of the Signet (I think) vs the Foz is that it takes the output of the cartridge directly, not via the output of the phono stage. So, errors due to imbalance in phono channels are avoided. The bad news is that the Signet does not have sufficient gain by itself to work well with LOMC cartridges. I have been meaning to build in an extra gain stage or to have Bill Thalmann do it. But the kicker is that I only bother to use the Signet with my Triplanar and my Reed tonearms, because only those two have decent mechanisms for azimuth adjust. With my other tonearms (mainly the Dynavector DV505), I just go with "parallel to the LP surface", realizing that this criterion is not always the best. I guess you could say that I've given up the ghost. To some degree, I side with Nils.

I am most tempted by the Feickert program, because I have a laptop that does not get much use. The Clearaudio is just plain ridiculous, based on cost alone. How much better could it possibly be than either the Feickert or the Foz? My response would be "not that much, if at all". The dark horse would be the device that Soundsmith was perfecting, last I knew. Supposedly it would read out a variety of cartridge characteristics and also provide for azimuth setting. What happened to that? Is it for sale?