Channel Balance on Dynavector XV1-S

Cartridges can have pretty large channel imbalances even when there is nothing grossly wrong. I understand that a difference of up to 2 db higher for one channel is not uncommon (one reason a balance control is a MUST have item, particularly for analogue setups).

My understanding of the Fozgometer is that it accounts for channel imbalance, so I don't know what is up with your rig. I originally did my azimuth setup by visual alignment and confirmed that it was right by listening. When I got my Fozgometer, I found that I could get a perfect reading by moving the Vector azimuth screw by an exceedingly small amount,something like 1/16th of a turn(an amount so small I could not visually notice a difference). The meter appears to be extremely sensitive.

If you cannot get an acceptable reading, or you can only get an acceptable reading by severely tilting the cartridge, something is wrong with the cartridge. Also, I would prefer a less than ideal reading over tilting the cartridge such that the stylus is misaligned in the groove.

This thread may be relevant. The link opens at the post which describes the conclusion in that particular situation.

Regards,
-- Al

Others have already implied it, but azimuth adjustment has very little effect on channel balance, as you already have learned by direct experience. And the goal of azimuth adjustment is to minimize crosstalk, not to balance the channels. I was interested to read that Larryi says intrinsic channel imbalance of a cartridge is often more than 2 db. On the other hand, there is a prominent poster on VA who says that if a cartridge output is more than 1 db different, R vs L, that cartridge is defective and should be returned to the seller. I have no idea where truth lies on that spectrum.

One thing you might do is to swap tubes in your phono stage, R to L and L to R, and see what happens to the channel imbalance. It is possible that your entire problem is due to a difference in gain between the input tube on one channel vs the other; that's where most of phono gain is achieved.

Thanks very much for all your responses. I tried switching the cart tonearm cable connectors from R to L and sure enough the discrepancy moved sides which means it's the cart and not the phono pre. There was a 15-20% difference in output and to me that warrants a repair.

Hessec, I have the Hi-Fi News test lp, on which tracks 3 and 4 are the Channel Balance tracks. I'm using the Basis Vector Alignment Jig and have used it to the best of my not totally incompetent ability (no snark intended). The anti-skate is set with an lp that had a large grooveless section.
Larryi, I'm curious about your statement about a balance control. If all the links in the line are properly balanced and working correctly wouldn't the final balance be correct, and therefore wouldn't using a balance control just be glossing over a problem as well as being more resistors in the line?

Either way, the cart is pretty clearly in need of repair so off it goes and I'll deal with a pretty compromised setup for 4-6 weeks.

Moryoga,

I use the balance control to make pretty fine adjustments which I am sure involve a whole lot of different factors, including room acoustics affecting balance. Balance controls can also be used to compensate for channel imbalances of cartridges. My current cartridge has a small imbalance where one channel is a little less than 1 db lower in level compared to the other.

When I had a Levinson Ref. No. 32 linestage in my system, I could make really fine adjustments to channel balance (allowed for .1 db increments of change). I was really surprised to find that while 1 db of volume change with music playing is not something one can reliably hear, one can hear a .2 db shift in channel balance (noticeable with the position of a centered vocalist or with mono recordings). To me, life is just easier with a balance control when it comes to fine tuning a system.

The Vector alignment guage is an extremely accurate device that allows for very precise alignment. I have noticed that a tiny fraction of a millimeter off and the tonearm profile will be grossly mismatched with the outline etched on the guage. When everything matches, the alignment agrees with that of the Feickert alignment tool. Hence, if you did the alignment per the Basis instruction, you should have the cartridge perfectly aligned and there is no issue in that respect.