Channel Balance on Dynavector XV1-S

Thanks Dinster. This process stated because there was an obvious sound difference between the 2 channels.
The plot has also thickened in that I packed up the xv1s for shipping to repair and put on my old Dynavector 20x on as a fill in cart and wound up getting the exact same readings. I took the phono pre out of the loop. I figure there's only a few options left. Since the signal issue changes evenly when I change the tonearm wires on the cart pins from L to R, I think that this rules out the Foz and the test LP as variables. I either have 2 carts that have the exact same balance issue with the exact same output values or there's something going on with the tonearm wiring. I called Technetron NYC and asked for some advice and they said it's highly unlikely that the tonearm wire is the issue as they thought with wires it will either work or not. As unlikely as it seems, I might have 2 carts with the same issue. I'm going to make an appointment to bring the carts and tonearm to them to have it tested professionally as I'm obviously out of ideas and in over my head with figuring it out.

Hi Moryoga: Changing the azimuth will affect the channel crosstalk, but will not accomplish much for the channel balance. A difference in channel output levels (balance) is better addressed with separate channel gain controls in either the MC headamp (if that is what you use), a phono equalizer (if that is what you use), or the line preamp (but this would entail different settings for analog and digital sources). Barring separate gain controls, the cartridge manufacturer may have to readjust (or even rebuild) the cartridge.

At any rate, could you verify that you have checked the channel balance under the following two conditions?

1. Switch the channels at the tonearm cable output connectors, and check the channel imbalance.

If this flips the channel imbalance, both the cartridge and the tonearm wiring or connector contacts are suspect.

2. Put back the tonearm cable output connectors, then switch the channels at the headshell lead clips, and check the channel imbalance again.

If this causes the channel imbalance to flip, the tonearm cable, internal wiring and connectors are innocent, but the cartridge (including the condition of its output pins) needs investigation.

It is a good idea to periodically clean every electrical contact in the tonearm system, including the cartridge output pins, the headshell lead clips, and the tonearm output cable.

hth, jonathan

05-17-14: Moryoga
Since the signal issue changes evenly when I change the tonearm wires on the cart pins from L to R, I think that this rules out the Foz and the test LP as variables.

Moryoga, note in the thread I linked to earlier that the Foz was found to be at fault EVEN THOUGH the imbalance it indicated followed a channel swap at the cartridge pins. I certainly have no idea how that could be, but note also that the OP in that thread reported several others as indicating to him that they had the exact same experience. With one of them indicating that his Foz worked fine with two of his turntables but exhibited the problem with another turntable.

And it appears that in most or all of those cases it was the right channel which measured higher (when the cartridge connections were not being swapped).

This process stated because there was an obvious sound difference between the 2 channels.

That was also the case in the thread I linked to. As you may have already read, it turned out that an unrelated second problem was simultaneously present, which was causing the audible imbalance.

Regards,
-- Al

Almarg, had similar experience with the Foz and an XV-1s. No audible issue though. I could never get the Foz to be similar in both channels as I adjusted azimuth. The difference was constant despite adjustments. Cart checked out fine with voltmeter.

If anyone can point out a gap in my methodology, please point it out.

In somewhat careless fashion, I failed to do a pretty obvious test:

Using the Hi-Fi News test LP track 4 (L Channel, -20db, 25 sec.) Tonearm cables directly into Foz with L to L and R to R, get reading.
Switch L cable to R input Foz R cable to L inout, same reading.

Using Test LP Track 5 (R channel, -20db, 25sec.) Tonearm cables back to R to R, L to L, reading 20% lower than track 4. Same with L to R, R to L.

It seems Track 4 is putting out a 20% stronger signal. So,

Using a db app on a smart phone ( I know it's not the most accurate testing device, but it seems to register in tenths of a db) Play Track 4 L channel, through speakers for 25 seconds, get average reading. Track 5 R channel, which I expected to be 20% less, SAME READING! UGH!

Totally baffled.

Played Cannonball Adderley lp, tried to forget about everything for a little while :)