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Clearaudio Azimuth Optimizer V Fozgometer

I have been through a few threads regarding the Fozgometer for Azimuth adjustment .Has anyone used the Clearaudio Azimuth Optimizer which cost quite a bit more then the Fozgometer and if so how did it go!!
Stump
1stump
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
1stump: Like you, I found myself "wandering in the dark" on
azimuth adjustment before using the Fozgometer. I guess that I have not
yet developed the "magic eye/ear dexterity" to find the sweet spot manually
like many claim to. The Fozgometer made short work of it for me.

Lewm: It is a shame that misinformation has kept you from trying the
Fozgometer. The Fozgometer's manual states "Higher output
cartridges
(>.3mV@3.54cm/sec) should have enough output to be connected directly
to the meter but ultra-low output cartridges may require additional gain. In
this case, RCA cables should be connected between the Fozgometer and
the phono preamp out or preamp tape out jacks."

There are posts here on Audiogon where users have hooked it directly (via
the tonearm cabling) to
<.3mV output cartridges with good results.

I tried it both ways (directly from the cartridge and also from the preamp's
tape out jacks) and found no difference in the readings. IMO, it is an added
benefit to be able to compare results using both methods to validate that
the phono stage and preamp are not misbehaving.

Dave
1stump's avatar
1stump OP
31 posts
 
Getting to play around with the Azimuth has been a worth while tweak.I have a nice result now which is very enjoyable.Before I consider a meter I will have a hearing test as I think my right ear may be lacking in the mid notes.(Voice area)
Stump
bpwalsh
1,207 posts
 
I am biased because I have been using the Feickert Adjust Plus Pro software ever since it became available and have aligned dozens of systems, all to good effect. The software's azimuth adjustment part measures not only crosstalk between channels, it measures phase response. I am certain it could be demonstrated that our ears are more sensitive to minimizing phase error between channels than equalizing crosstalk. Sometimes both are at the same azimuth setting, but often they are not. Just last week I aligned a system that had a whopping 161 degrees of phase error at its initial setting and got it to within 2 degrees. The fellow stayed up way past his bedtime with his buddies listening New Year's eve, and the next morning the place was heavily littered with wine glasses and records out of their sleeves. I guess it was mission accomplished. The cost was far less than even just the standard version of the software, and all he had to do was sit back and watch if he wanted, and then listen to the results.
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