The 10-minute illustrated guide on setting up your stylus' Azimuth using the Fozgometer. Thank you for watching Friends and new Vinyl Fans!!!... Best of regards, Ian. Music used with permission from www.purple-plan... www.bensound.com
It's incredible how many suggestions, tips, measurements, check and settings do you know about vinyl, it's always a pleasure to watch and learn from your videos. Sir Ian, you're really an amazing source of informations and an incredibly honest and polite man with an incredible capacity of attraction when you're explaining your thoughts! My gratitude! Ciao from Italy!
Dear Julian :-D thank you for your time on this writing to us. I think it is worth it. It matters. My friends borrow them from me too :-D Warmest Regards Buddy and have a great vinyl trip ahead in your musical journey!
That was spectacularly well done! 🤔 thanks for always being so very thoughtful as you instruct and explain. I’m just getting back into Vinyl and found an SL 1400 mk2 that couldn’t hold a groove to save its life. I played around and got it working better but really didn’t know what I was doing. Now I’m ready to do it correctly. Your set of instruction videos is quite excellent. Thank you!
Dear Friend 👋😄 you are welcomed and thank you very much for your kind words and friendship. We enjoy our warm vinyl community and ecosphere. Let's spin on! And, congratulations for your SL1400!!!!!🤗🎶🎵🎶🎶
I used to do all this stuff back in the 80's ... its nice to see you doing this correctly, and its very important. I have an old 80's (and still working) Linn Sondek tracking gauge which I got free from HiFi News reviewer, Ian Anderson. Your example of mistracking was very clear. Thank you for sharing your passion :-)
Dear big brother Chris, thank you so much for all your encouragement :-D... this small fry (me), am delighted and humbled to receive your nod of approval!!! Very happy! AND thank you very much for sharing with me about that Linn Sonderk tracking gauge!!! Hoohoo: Free from HiFi News & Record Review!!!
It cost £300 back in the 80's so I was very pleased to be given it. You remind me of myself back in the 80's where I had a love & passion for analogue vinyl replay systems. That love is returning, and you certainly fuel that buzz. btw, back in the 80's Ian Anderson was considered a guru in the audio world 😉 Today I own a high end digital studio where I work with audio/visuals for commercial applications - high end pro digital is amazing - breathe taking even, but the colourations & warmth of high end vinyl replay systems brings much enjoyment. 😎👍
Hi Buddy Keith, thank you for catching up here :-D sorry for being 5 months' late in my reply. Warmest Regards to you, your family and your vinyl playing friend in New Zealand. ~ ian.
Ian, you are the man! That was such a great video! Well explained - I couldn't have done it better. I need to buy a Fozgometer at some point as well. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! All the best! Armien
Dear Brother Armien :-D thank you for your kindest comments!!!... I am still a learner. Please correct me whenever you deem fit!... but yes I did spend a lot of efforts planning and making this video... hahaha... my humblest efforts for the vinyl community. I am waiting for your next instalment of your vinyl records finds and explorations too!!.. yes you're in the middle of shifting...but I still am optimistic you'd make a video for us despite your busy schedule in this period. Really looking forward to seeing you again Brother! Sincerely, Ian.
Brother, thank you for coming by and catching up🤗💪💪💪 I'm very happy to know that you're into vinyl music playback too!!! Yay!!! Another vinyl spinner🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶 Warmest Regards my friend!
Thanks for the excellent video. Today I'm setting up a new SME M2-12R on a Thorens TD520. I have an unused Fozgometer, The Ultimate Analogue Test LP and an unused Dr. Feickert protractor to assist me and this video was very helpful. Seeing you using a Dynavector DV XX2 MK2 was a delight because that's the very cartridge I'll be using. It took 9 weeks to arrive but I'm sure it will be worth the wait. I like the choice of the background music in the video.
Dear fellow Brother in-Vinyl :-D, Wow a wide-bodied TD520 accomodating the modern classic M2-12R!!!!... Mouth-watering!!! Thank you for sharing my brother!!! Ah... the same xx2Mk2 :-D!! You have great tools in the Dr. Feickert protractor and the Fozgometer... you are clear to make full use of the M2-12R's azimuth adjusting facility to really zoom in to the correct azimuth as closely as possible to get that channel separation and reduced cross-talk to further click the soundstage and imaging into place!!! Congratulations brother :-D, and see you again. May you have an excellent, breathtaking vinyl music appreciation journey... Sincerely, ~ ian
Thank you very much for providing a much needed video on setting up a Cartridge using the Fozgometer. I have search and viewed a lot of blogs on the Fozgometer to see if this unit is better or at a equal to a Oscilloscope. I can only assume it will be up to the user on the day. I must say if you have intentions of producing another video on the above topic could i suggest a calibration of the Fozgometer unit it self as i have read these units can and do go out of calibration during transport from A to B after been purchase. Note The Fozgometer has to have a fully charge battery, if not this will effect the reading out put, giving you a false set up on your cartridge. I look forward to your next video with anticipation. :) High end vinyl system
+blueyepaul Thank you MY FRIEND!!! Yes!! What you said is true!.... The calibration process is very simple. And it will work very accurately. I didn't need any calibration because i had checked using the 3 tracks and everything has been perfect. Of course, never say never, and I would recommend all to have a quick 5minute calibration check on their purchased units before moving onwards to calibrate their cartridges' azimuth. Otherwise this is a very simple and effective tool. Oscilloscopes and Dr Feickert's Adjust+ could be even better!!! Thank you for your support and encouragement. I appreciate your time keying in your comments to us. Everybody learns and is all the better for it!!! THANK YOU!!! Sincerely, Ian.
Dear Michael :-D, thank you for coming by and saying hi! Will see you again soon!... Very useful gauge. I am still using it to help my friends set up their cartridges on their turntables. Hope you have fun! Best Regards, ~ ian.
Most helpful. My cartridge has the stylus mounted pretty far back from cart front. Almost impossible to see. I will need a digital microscope plus the device you recommended here. Cartridge is Kiseki Purple heart. Starting to sound better but still is not correct.
OK, "adjust and twist" I get that; but, what turntable out there allows for the headshell to be adjusted by simply twisting it? None that I know of. In fact, attempting to twist will certainly damage the turntable. So, what to do? You can buy a headshell which is adjustable, you can shim the cartridge, or, if you have a turntable like the Technics SL-1200, you can loosen the two screws under the tonearm's headshell receptacle that secure the receptacle. This allows the receptacle to be turned to a position which will set headshell in proper position to realize correct azimuth. Once the headshell is squared up the screws may be tightened again. Using a ratchet driver with 0 phillips head allows for the screws to be loosened and re-tightened without having to remove the tonearm from the turntable to access screws. At any rate, you might want to do a video of this to demonstrate the process using your own SL-1200. BTW, here's a tip. Instead of tightening the headshell receptacle screws leave them only tight enough to allow the headshell to be adjusted for azimuth with finger pressure. This allows for tweeking, as well as using the turntable with multiple cartridges.
Charles Ludwig Well done Charles 💪😄 thank you. Yes, i do mean doing it (twisting the headshell) only on headshells that come with azimuth adjustability. But your detailed information on loosening the 2 screws without having to remove the whole tonearm is brilliant for all SL1200 users😄✌!!! And tightenit not too muh so as to allow for finger tightening in future👍😄!!! Thank you Buddy!! Warmest Regards and really, have a joyous vinyl'ing journey! I am grateful for your advice and kind friendship.
@@HiViNywschannel Some tonearms are on a pivot point (VPI). The tone arm weight is bored off center so turning the weight a little will move center of gravity to one side or the other. This will allow stylus to be perfectly vertical to the record.
If I had to guess how the Fozgometer works, it probably takes one channel and inverts it based on what channel you want to monitor. It then mixes the inverted channel with the noninverted channel and measures the L-R/R-L difference. Perfect azimuth, that is channels with equal output, would create a null value. Of course this all assumes that you're using a perfect test tone and your cartridge has perfect balanced output to begin with.
Just to add folks - if one is using the Fozgometer and a Test LP, you want to have anti-skating applied too. This was recommended by Musical Surroundings as well as several other good sources. Power to the Foz!
Fantastic video and appreciate the education as always Ian! :-) - Quick question - how would you compare using the Fozgometer versus something like the Dr. Feickert Adjust+? Is it worth the extra time and effort using the Adjust+ software or would you say using the Fozgometer is good enough? I have the Fozgometer and wonder how much better the Adjust+ would get the Azimuth - it seems the Adjust+ is a very time consuming tool for maybe a 10-15% gain in audio quality? Is that a fair statement? Cheers, Vin.
$300 for that meter on music direct! That is an absolutely outrageous price for a meter. Probably cost $5 to make. This has got to be one of the most over priced piece of equipment besides cables. This should be $50 at the most for something used once in blue moon. Unbelievable!
Brother I also wish for a lower price :-D !!!! Arghh.... US$300..... you're right...at most $50 direct probably? Another $250 for retailer's margins, paying for rental space, feeding the staff's salaries and inventory problems. We are living in a crazy world. Best Regards my friend :-D!!!!! Thank you for your time coming by and writing in detail to me and to all of us... have a joyful and fulfilling vinyl'ing journey with lots of friends ahead!! ~ . ian.
TOTALLY TRUE. These audio companies are so full of bullshit and snake oil it's pathetic. The gauge costs a few bucks to make and should sell for about $50 tops BUT, if idiots are willing to pay that much for it, I can't blame the seller.
I assume you need special headshell to allow for this adjustment. I can't "twist" my headshell to make these adjustments. It's solid and just screws into the tonearm. Doni need special headshells for this?
Could this not be achieved by using dB meters on existing equipment, for example a good tape deck or R2R? Play a balanced test tone and set your meters balanced, then play the test record through your tape monitor? $300 for a meter you probably already have in your rack??? If you have no way of supplying a balanced test tone, simply use one meter only and swap the left/right leads?
Hello Thanks for your video , I see that you are using xx-2 mk ll , how do you compare this cartridge against Rega apheta 3 and Hana ml . It’s time to change my Exact cartridge and searching for a MC , the tonearm is BR330 Thanks in advance
HI just asking about setting the tracking force do you set it with the record on the platter or with no record ? Thanks for you help and wow great video
Hi Mr Kasapis :-), very good question!!.. i was a bit perplexed about it previously, but I measured and realise that the digital stylus force gauge I have :-) already has a certain thickness that mimics the thickness of the vinyl record, and thus I measure and set the tracking force without the vinyl record on the platter:-D Thank you for your query Mr Kasapis. Best regards to you and your family, Ian.
Hi Buddy! Depending on the structure of your headshell and tonearm.... some headshells come with adjustable azimuth e.g. my Jelco HS-25 headshell, and some tonearms come with adjustable azimuth. Apologies if yours do not come with any adjustability.... but many vinylphiles do have a turntable set-up that do not come with any adjustability :-) so do not feel bad about your system at all if so. Warmest Regards, ~ ian.
Ian, I bought a Fozgometer and I'm sending the first unit back because it didn't function properly, the center and red light came on at the same time before and even after calibration. I have the test disc lp and the turntable was directly connected to the Fozgometer. The mono-1st track center was up 3 to 4 division marks after my calibration and after sending it back to Musical Surroundings to have them recalibrate it. Even after calibration I was never able to totally get to zero for the center/mono track, close, but no cigar. Also when just turning the unit on with no cables connected to it, it still showed the center green and the right red lights on and I could never achieve zero and I was always off the number of division marks that I mentioned and I know this wasn't right. I downloaded the sound files to do the calibration. I was told that the units should come calibrated from the factory. Did you do the calibration on yours originally or did you use it as it was. I knew from your video that the performance of my first one wasn't right and it had a black mark on the inside glass right around the word signal. The company I bought it from, just sent me out a new one today that seems much better and they cross shipped it and I will be returning the old one. I still have the test wav files and will be checking the calibration on the new unit to make sure everything is okay, but if it holds out, I'm 15.0 and 15.4 so far, but like I said I will be double checking everything. They did tell me that 2-3 units come back a year, but since they got the latest batch, they haven't had any problems with units. I also have a Foz- XTR coming, the electronic alignment black box, which electronically fixes alignment problems and uses the same test disc as the Fozgometer. This box goes between the phono preamp and the preamp and can be turned on for the effect and turned off to compare. Ian, I'm also kicking myself in the head because I had a opportunity this morning to buy a Rega RP-10 for 2899.00, which is the same price as the RP8, with the Apheta 2 cartridge from Soundstage Direct. I saw this last night at 10:00 PM and again at 4:00 AM, but I waited to 1:00 PM and it was gone. That wasn't a deal it was a steal, it was preowned, darn it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brother :-D oooh you missed out on the RP10!!! Ah..... let's hope the miss is because something else better is coming to you in the near future :-D !!! Let's believe that! Ah... my Fozgometer, i have checked it and it doesn't need recalibration at all! :-D So that means I received a mint item. Your Foz-XTR will likely be even better! :-D P10 will even be better............................................... :-D Brother, you have my empathy, and also, encouragement :-D
Dear buddy Ravi 👋😄, you are right: like many other turntables, azimuth adjustment is not afforded by the design of the Rega tonearm. Apologies about that... warmest regards and thank you for catching up!🤗
@@HiViNywschannel thanks a lot brother. Looking forward to more videos. Please make a video on setting up anti skating on Rega.i saw videos on using blank cd to setup antiskate. The bias adjustment is not perfect . I have a Rega rp6 my first used turntable. New to TT and am reading lots of technical stuff abt TT. Loving it.
Dear Vinyl Fan Brother :-), how do you do?!! Great to hear from you... hahaha. Really thank you for your support and encouragement! My wife smiled at me as I told her your comments... :-D And yes Brother, you can get the very good and super value for money Analogue Studio mirrored cartridge Alignment Protractor from most official online retailers. I checked it's still the usual £13 :-D that is great enough. Mirrored and with Parallel Hash Marks at the 2 null points! Thank you for your enquiry. Mine is one I just bought from my Avid turntable retailer based on goodwill and great friendship with the retailer. The 2 null points are fixed drawn on the mirror and i just after I align it correctly on 1 null point, I just swing the tonearm over to the 2nd nullpoint, without the need to shift the mirror protractor (because Avid already drawn it for the SME309 tonearm for this specific protractor) However, the Analogue Studio Protractor is equally accurate and you can use it with equal effects. After aligning the cartridge onto the 1st null point, one just adjust this Analogue Studio Protractor a bit as you swing the tonearm over to align it on the 2nd null point on the protractor :-D !!! Hifi Choice recommended component too :-) It is more than good enough. Does its job accurately and excellently. Bets regards to you and your family :-D Ian.
The Fozgometer is a device for adjusting Azimuth - however, Musical Surroundings advised to have anti skate set when setting Azimuth for correct setting
First thing you said was the "importance of Azimuth". I want to talk about the importance of recording quality audio for youtube videos. Especially ones about audio equipment. This was not good.
Hi. I have a Rega P3 2016 edition. I noticed right channel was louder than left and vocal was off centred. I adjusted the anti skating by ear reference against a same track on CD switching between phono input & CD input. It improved but still a little bit off. So i guess must be azimuth but the P3 does not have adjustment on this. So how do I go about?
Brother, i have heard some people sticking on a very thin "shim" sandwiched between the bottom of the headshell and the top side of the cartridge (at the mounting point), e.g. if the left channel is louder than the right, you can stick this very thin shim on the right mounting point, and if the right channel is louder than the left, you can stick this very thin shim on the left mounting point. I have a P3 too, and I am okay. May be because I don't use the Rega Elys2 cartridge: I use the Goldring Elektra currently on my P3 :-D.... Warmest Regards my friend, and i hope you solve your concern soon, ~ ian.
Once again you did a great video I was just a little lost on one part about getting the head shell straight I have Dual 506 and I don't know how to make that head straight if it needs to be straight. Problem is I only got music from my right speaker. I took the cartridge & the head show off and clean the terminals and put it back on and still nothing. then I put another cartridge on there from another turntable & it worked fine. now I am back to the original cartridge it a B&O mmc 10E yesterday I finally got it to come out of both speakers but today it wouldn't any suggestions?
pdrummer davis Dear Friend😄, You have cleaned the terminals and yet no sound from the left speaker... i do suspect that the issue lies with the cart my friend. Apologies if i reported bad news like this... Maybe those 4 small tonearm lead wires that attach between the headshell and cartridge, were not making good contact with the rear terminals of the cartridge per se?.. if that is the case you can use a plier and tighten the connections.. I wish you well. 🤗 Update again if there are any revelations along the way! I will be interested to know the reason too!... Warmest Regards, ian
thanks for your quick response I did clean the terminals & put everything back together, yesterday it work but then this morning it didn't I did move the ground wire & heard a pop then it started to work again? I only paid $35 for the turn table it came with this a $200 B&O mmc-10E stylus & had it serviced for $100 or so last year so I'm not worried if it is the stylus. I will let you know in a couple days after playing a few records what happens next Thanks again
So I guess there is no way around this other then using this Fosgate Fosgometer to see if you needle is straight for me it might be 1-2 time use & this thing is $$$ any suggestions ? I love all you video's thanks for up loading them
Hi Ian, Have you tested the Hi-Fi News Test LP ? Seems to be a bit different from the AP, maybe not needing the fozgometer. Any thoughts if it will work with the fozgo or if AP+fozgo is much better than Hi-Fi news test lp ? I have a unipivot tonearm, been warned by the deal to take special care with azimuth checking. Don't know exactly if it's a unpivot thing :) Thank you, Claudiu
Dear friend Claudiu, so nice to hear from you. I was just thinking about you and a few other friends here just now when I was driving. And now you've messaged! Talk about the Law of Attraction! :-D Nice to see you again. AdjustPlus utilises the software which Dr Feickert provides so that you do not need the Hifi News Test LP at all :-) Fozgometer will work with the Hifi News Test LP :-D
+HiViNyws channel Hi Ian, Wow, that's a funny coincidence, law of attraction is definitely a strange one. Hope you're doing well, please say hi to Moko for me :) By AP was referring to Analog Productions (checked out AdjustPlus but it's a bit over my budget). Asking because I found a used Fozgometer on ebay for about 70$, to days left till bidding ends, don't know if I will get it. And since I have a delayed order on a Uk website thought I would order a test LP and package them together and save on shipping. Hifinews LP seems a bit more popular than the Analog Production LP (and almost at half price). Off topic: Loving the Avid Pulsus. Had a really strange experience with the dynavector 20x2L. I liked it more loaded at 100 or 5k than 1k (maybe because I'm used to my system being really bright and like to easily pick out each instrument). But 1k although it seemed a bit more laid back & warm or well rounded and the vocals are usually a bit further back (than 100 or 5k), it was magic overall. Less analytical, but boy o boy did the same songs give me the shivers. If I did A/B switching between them (from a remote) I would have totally missed the magic and picked 100 or 5k since it seemed to be more clearer (but overall no magic there). Never running the same track from different sources and switching between ever again.... Thank you, Claudiu
+Claudiu Apetrei AH... good find you have there on eBay for the Fozgometer!!! But you are really too kind to say it here casually for us... I hope all our friends reading this would not go to eBay now to outbid you and have a gentleman's agreement to not partake in it as you are the one who announced it openly here and your bidding :-D I feel the HifiNews LP is good to go. And packaging it with the Fozgometer from UK together makes good buying sense. Thank you Claudiu. Thank you again. Yours Sincerely, Ian.
Hi it's me again I'm getting that problem again music is only coming out of 1 speaker? I think it might be the stylus it's a B&O MMC 10-E Stylus as I said in the other comments below. Any thing else I could try?
Warm regards from Australia! Great video Ian I really appreciate the time and effort that goes into your videos. One question do you think the MUSICAL SURROUNDINGS Fozgometer is required if I was to use the DR FEICKERT Alignment Protractor with the ANALOGMAGIK All in One Cartridge Setup Software & Test LPs? I have included a link to the software www.analogmagik.com/ Tim
Brother, I don't think you'd need the Fozgometer if you have the analogmagik software and lps👋😄you can enjoy great playback quality when the Azimuth is set nicely!!! Have fun Buddy!🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶
You make all these settings to get the maximum performance of your turntable, but your listening position is right in front of a 6 m2 glass wall? That's ridiculous
Yo Buddy... don't worry... if needed, you can perhaps source and borrow one from your local audio community via the forum :-D i hope it works out well... we do that in Singapore too. Warmest Regards Buddy, and thanks for catching up ever so often and regularly!! ~ ian
I'm getting so sick of all of this I've had my turntable now a few years and I'm at a point where I just want to get a turntable where you can plug a new cartridge in and that's it all factory set and just enjoy the music this stuff's getting old to much work.
