Analog Magik

I compared AM V1 test discs with the AP disc for azimuth and the results are very different. Spot on (< 1dB) with AP shows about 6dB difference using the AM disc. Since visually it is also spot on so I'm going with Analogue productions as being correct, but very disappointing to see such big differences.
My observation is the same. I achieve equal numbers for azimuth only with Analogue Productions disc, it also improves azimuth readings with AM disc but 5dB difference between channels.
 
You also get very different results between AM V1 and V2. Asked about this and was told that V2 is correct.
 
Has anyone compared the AM v2 disc for azimuth against the AP disc?
 
Has anyone compared the AM v2 disc for azimuth against the AP disc?
I did. I compared AM V1, V2 and AP discs for azimuth. I used AM V1 software with V1 and AP discs and AM V2 software with V2 disc.
AP: left 35dB, right 35dB,
V1: 27dB, 32dB,
V2: 18dB, 33dB.
I primarily use AP disc for azimuth.
 
Thanks, but the results with AM are very discouraging. :(
 
Don't concentrate on digits, try to achieve the highest possible numbers for both channels.
Yes, this is what Richard has told me since v1. But I never got a clear explanation (satisfactory to me anyway) as to how doing this, and then getting vastly different numbers between the channels, could square with using the AP disc and with that getting great numbers that were very close to each other (if not identical).
 
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Hmpf, something I just noticed. I have both AM v2 and Adjust+. For Azimuth, the difference between channels is about the same (that's good), but the absolute numbers in AM are lower (to be expected by now since we've been informed of this) - but the numbers are flipped between AM and Adjust+!!! So, if the Adjust+ Azimuth screen shows the following (as an example) -

(L->R): -37dB
(R->L): -29dB

AM will show something like this -

(L->R): -23dB
(R->L): -31dB

Odd.
 
Hmpf, something I just noticed. I have both AM v2 and Adjust+. For Azimuth, the difference between channels is about the same (that's good), but the absolute numbers in AM are lower (to be expected by now since we've been informed of this) - but the numbers are flipped between AM and Adjust+!!! So, if the Adjust+ Azimuth screen shows the following (as an example) -

(L->R): -37dB
(R->L): -29dB

AM will show something like this -

(L->R): -23dB
(R->L): -31dB

Odd.
That's perfectly normal. The level difference is about signal strength and variate between test records. The other issue is related with non flat record. Even though a record looks perfectly flat it may not be flat at groove level. Also same goes for lacquer (remote possibility), father, mother or stamper . In short you are measuring azimuth error of those test records. They can still lead you to the correct azimuth alignment for cartridge, just try to achieve maximum numbers for both channels.

IMHO/IME analogue productions test record is great and correct for azimuth.
 
That's perfectly normal. The level difference is about signal strength and variate between test records. The other issue is related with non flat record. Even though a record looks perfectly flat it may not be flat at groove level. Also same goes for lacquer (remote possibility), father, mother or stamper . In short you are measuring azimuth error of those test records. They can still lead you to the correct azimuth alignment for cartridge, just try to achieve maximum numbers for both channels.

IMHO/IME analogue productions test record is great and correct for azimuth.
On the one hand, I hear you, but on the other, it looks like one of these two has equations that are flipped 1/x. One would suggest rotating the head shell or arm wand CW to get things to even out - the other, CCW. :confused:
 
On the one hand, I hear you, but on the other, it looks like one of these two has equations that are flipped 1/x. One would suggest rotating the head shell or arm wand CW to get things to even out - the other, CCW. :confused:
It's more related with record than cartridge.
The other issue is related with non flat record. Even though a record looks perfectly flat it may not be flat at groove level. Also same goes for lacquer (remote possibility), father, mother or stamper . In short you are measuring azimuth error of those test records.
 
Okay.

BTW, when using the AP disk, how do you do it? When I play Tracks 2 and 3, I get question marks "???" on the AM v2 Azimuth display. Do I just use the measurement bars up top?
 
Okay.

BTW, when using the AP disk, how do you do it? When I play Tracks 2 and 3, I get question marks "???" on the AM v2 Azimuth display. Do I just use the measurement bars up top?
I use AM Version 1 software. Version 2 is incompatible with other test records. Don't forget to uninstall V2 before installing V1.
 
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Hmm. I wonder if I could just use Adjust+ for Azimuth?
 
Hmm. I wonder if I could just use Adjust+ for Azimuth?
Of course. You can use any disc with 1KHz test tone on one channel. You can also use AP disc for speed, ant-skating and VTA.
 
I guess what I meant to say was, instead of uninstalling AM v2 and installing AM v1, could I use the AP test record with Adjust+ to set Azimuth - not using Chris Feickert's phase intersection method, but just adjusting for best values for right and left channel crosstalk?
 
I guess what I meant to say was, instead of uninstalling AM v2 and installing AM v1, could I use the AP test record with Adjust+ to set Azimuth - not using Chris Feickert's phase intersection method, but just adjusting for best values for right and left channel crosstalk?
Sorry, I misunderstood, I thought you were asking Adjust+ disc. I don't know for sure but I guess you can use AP disc with Adjust+ software. I used to use Dr. feickert's platterspeed app with AP disc which is originally designed to be used with Adjust+ disc.
 
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The AP disk works with Adjust+. :)
 
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I have found that if the VTA setting gives high values there is a good chance your Zenith needs to be adjusted. How the distortion changes across the test track gives you a good indicator of which direction you need to go with the Zenith. The procedure is quite simple and effective and I will outline it below.
...
...

For those that want to really get their geek on I have attached a plot of the measured distortion with zenith error for a conical and a micro-ridge profile.
Very nice findings you describe.
It's nothing but logical that all angles affect each other unless it's a spherical stylus.

I hope you don't mind me asking;
- How did you find the zenith angle in the different measurements?
- Why measure the distorsion (it is usually a bit unpredictable). Why not measure the phase difference?
 
Very nice findings you describe.
It's nothing but logical that all angles affect each other unless it's a spherical stylus.

I hope you don't mind me asking;
- How did you find the zenith angle in the different measurements?
- Why measure the distorsion (it is usually a bit unpredictable). Why not measure the phase difference?
agree 100% with Dave, After doing the alignment visually with protractors and such I start with the VTA test and often find distortion is quite high.. 10% or more. by doing teeny, tiny rotations to tweek zenith I can usually get it down to around 2%. I'm talking so teeny tiny you aren't even sure it moved.
 

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