Fozgometer Owner Alert

[jdandy]

If you own a Fozgometer for setting phono cartridge azimuth, you will want to take a look a this link to Michael Fremer's Analog Planet.

Fozgometer Owner Alert ! | Analog Planet

Earlier today I calibrated my Fozgometer. I followed the directions while using the three test tones outputted directly from my PC headphone jack to the Fozgometer left and right channel inputs. A stereo mini jack to RCA cable made the connecting simple. Clicking on each of the three .wav tracks was necessary to get the signals into my Fozgometer to make the adjustments. The test signals and calibration instructions can be found at the link below.

http://www.musicalsurroundings.com/F...erCalibration/

Initially I had difficulty getting the readings on the Fozgometer to stabilize but when I installed a fresh 9 volt battery everything immediately came together. With a fresh battery the meter held true to my adjustments. My Fozgometer calibration was slightly off but not dramatically. Now it is dead on. I would suggest a fresh battery be installed before starting the calibration procedure.

Now that my Fozgometer is accurately calibrated I will need to double check the cartridge azimuth adjustments on my Micro Seiki turntable with the Ortofon Cadenza Blue cartridge, and also the Michell Gyro SE turntable with the Ortofon Cadenza Black cartridge. I feel confident they are both very close if not perfect, but I will revisit the settings just to make sure.

[miner]

Thank you Dan for the heads up. I had seen that article earlier on AnalogPlanet. I do not own a Foz - is it a necessary tool for unipivot arms such as VPIs? I, too, use the Ortofon Cadenza Black cartridge. My adjustments have been done by eye and ear.

Kevin

[jdandy]

Kevin.......The Fozgometer is a very good tool for accurately adjusting the azimuth of the stylus tip. Stylus azimuth adjustment can be done by eye but will likely not be perfect unless you get very lucky. I can't comment on the VPI unipivot arms because I have no experience with them, although I would imagine accurate azimuth adjustment is important on all tonearms.

One of the things I like about the Ortofon Cadenza cartridges is the raised bar down the middle on the top surface of the cartridge body and the threaded mounting holes. This design concept allows the cartridge body to be adjusted side to side by making small adjustments to the mounting screws. It makes azimuth adjustment relatively easy. For those without a removable and adjustable headshell this design concept for azimuth adjustment is absolutely necessary.

Before I got the Fozgometer to adjust azimuth I used a small thin mirror that I placed on the platter, then lowered the stylus onto the mirror surface. Using a flashlight I looked directly at the center of the stylus from the front and made adjustments to the cartridge until the stylus tip and its reflection in the mirror were identically lined with each other. That method worked for me for years. With the Fozgometer and a test record with left and right channel test tones the results are extremely accurate without any guessing.

[Cohibaman]

Originally Posted by jdandy

....Before I got the Fozgometer to adjust azimuth I used a small thin mirror that I placed on the platter, then lowered the stylus onto the mirror surface. Using a flashlight I looked directly at the center of the stylus from the front and made adjustments to the cartridge until the stylus tip and its reflection in the mirror were identically lined with each other. That method worked for me for years.

Dan, This is exactly the method I used and it seems to be fine. The Fozgometer is pretty interesting though.

After adjusting the cartridge using the mirror method, how far off was it as indicated using the Fozgometer? More importantly, did you notice a difference in SQ after adjusting with the Fozgometer?

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Cohibaman

Dan, This is exactly the method I used and it seems to be fine. The Fozgometer is pretty interesting though.

After adjusting the cartridge using the mirror method, how far off was it as indicated using the Fozgometer? More importantly, did you notice a difference in SQ after adjusting with the Fozgometer?

Mike.......When I compared my Ortofon Cadena Black's initial azimuth setup by hand to the Fozgometer I was slightly off in favor of the left channel but it wasn't a serious error. After a minor adjustment using the Fozgometer the azimuth was perfect for both channels.

To be honest, I couldn't actually hear a difference from where the azimuth had been adjusted by hand and where it is now adjusted using the Fozgometer. The Ortofon Cadenza Black sounds absolutely amazing. I will admit though, I do feel a bit more confident knowing the azimuth is perfect.

[mchad]

Originally Posted by jdandy

I will admit though, I do feel a bit more confident knowing the azimuth is perfect.

Hi Dan,

Mike here. I think the bottom line justification for owning the Fozgometer (and many other alignment type tools) is just as you say....confirming what is ideal rather than always having to wonder.

[jdandy]

Mike.......Good to see you on Audio Aficionado. Welcome.

I agree with you. Confirmation of accuracy is what the Fozgometer affords the user. It's not a tool I use often because I don't swap phono cartridges very often, but during the setup process it is definitely a valuable tool that removes the guesswork from stylus azimuth adjustment.

[Front242]

VPI owner. Love my Fozgometer.

I will replace the battery and see where things end up. If you have a Mac preamp with meters, you can see any cartridge channel deviation, which is easier than by ear, IMO. Still, prefer the Foz.