Analog experts: what's responsible for this?

madfloyd

madfloyd

New member
Joined
Nov 17, 2013
Messages
747
Location
Massachusetts
I'm going nuts because my analog rig has a significant channel imbalance. Center images are halfway between center and the right channel (digital is fine).

If I adjust the azimuth such that my headshell is on a major slant (35 degrees or so - really silly looking) I can get the image to center.

I know it's not the phono stage because if I swap the inputs to the phono stage the imbalance swaps over to the left side.

Any suggestions (other than sticking with digital)?
 
Sounds like your cartridge has bitten the dust. Do you have another cartridge to play with?
 
Madfloyd...not sure where in Mass you are located but give Jim Fuller a call at Goodwins Highend and if he can't walk you through a possible solution have him come out and check out your set-up. He's a really good analog set up guy and super professional and super nice to deal with.
 
I agree it's probably a cart issue. Even how badly skewed your azimuth setting is, I doubt it can create the imbalance you describe.
 
Sharkmouth, I'm going to hear Madfloyd's system this weekend. Should I take my Airtight Supreme or MSL Sig Gold to try out and see if that helps? I see you have a Supreme. How do you like it and what did it replace?
 
Myles B. Astor said:
Would think the AT makes a better match for the Magicos.
Click to expand...

Hi Myles, I don't want to derail Ian's thread, though he seems to have solved his channel balance issue. That is an interesting thought. In my listening tests, the MSL has a slightly more neutral tonal balance, is more extended, more dynamic and slightly more resolving. However, the Supreme has more tonal density, a richer, warmer sound, and a really beautiful midrange, giving up just a bit of speed and detail.

I would perhaps consider the slightly different voicing of the S and Q lines, the former having a warmer, punchier bass while the latter is more neutral and transparent. One could combine the MSL with the S5 and the Supreme with the Q3 for a more similar character or the Supreme with the S5 and the MSL with the Q3 to reinforce their differences. Those combinations would be fun to hear and perhaps difficult to choose a favorite. Perhaps for amplified rock and jazz: Supreme and S5. For classical and acoustic music the Q3 and MSL. My personal bias is for the latter combination.
 
PeterA said:
Sharkmouth, I'm going to hear Madfloyd's system this weekend. Should I take my Airtight Supreme or MSL Sig Gold to try out and see if that helps? I see you have a Supreme. How do you like it and what did it replace?
Click to expand...


I am only just getting back into vinyl so the Air Tight is some way off for me, I have a Shelter 501 III at the mo.
 
PeterA said:
Hi Myles, I don't want to derail Ian's thread, though he seems to have solved his channel balance issue. That is an interesting thought. In my listening tests, the MSL has a slightly more neutral tonal balance, is more extended, more dynamic and slightly more resolving. However, the Supreme has more tonal density, a richer, warmer sound, and a really beautiful midrange, giving up just a bit of speed and detail.

I would perhaps consider the slightly different voicing of the S and Q lines, the former having a warmer, punchier bass while the latter is more neutral and transparent. One could combine the MSL with the S5 and the Supreme with the Q3 for a more similar character or the Supreme with the S5 and the MSL with the Q3 to reinforce their differences. Those combinations would be fun to hear and perhaps difficult to choose a favorite. Perhaps for amplified rock and jazz: Supreme and S5. For classical and acoustic music the Q3 and MSL. My personal bias is for the latter combination.
Click to expand...

You certainly have more experience with the two cartridges but was simply thinking the AT would flesh out the Magico's sound. (BTW the PC-1 was a bust in my system.) The Magicos are extremely revealing of both equipment and recordings but personally don't like that thin as I call it, West Coast Sound (those who read the original TAS's will understand the context.) So far, though, in my system the Atlas, Koetsu Azule Blue and Transfiguration Proteus have worked really well in the system.
 
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