DaVinci tonearm and azymuth

Hi Pasg,
having read all the previous inputs I suspect the mounting base is not level with the platter or the pivot post not 90 deg. relative to the plater level. This would cause an azimuth off-set from the arm post relative to the platter...
If this (for what ever reason) is the case, it can be checked with a small level on top of the head-shell. It could possibly corrected --- at the source of the trouble.

Note: IF the arm post is correct (90 deg. with the platter) the azimuth deviation ought to be of the same off-set at the start, middle and end of the record. ALSO, this measurement is ONLY correct if the head-shell is very close or at the level position where the stylus contacts the record!

In the case of my SME V arm with SME 10 tt, I had to shim the arm mounting by ~ 0.2 mm to correct for such a deviation.
In this case it is an issue with the arm's pivot-post somehow not aligning a proper 90 deg. to the mounting base, (which in my case is level relative to the platter)
Yet, playing with out the shim, I can not detect any shift in imaging or one side louder then the other, it is not enough of a deviation (I think). However, when corrected there is less miss-tracking, OR groove distortion with very critical tracks :-)
Axel

I don't have this problem with my first generation Da Vinci Grandezza arm and the Clearaudio Harmony Mg.
For what it is worth, and I don't vouch for its accuracy, Soundscape Hi Fi in Singapore state the following about the Grandezza arm:

"Double gimballed ruby bearing, no need for azimuth adjustments"

link: soundscapehifi.com/da-vinci-grandezza-grand.htm

I would add anything Soundscape Hi Fi said with a grain of sald after spending an hour talking to him in the store.

Hi Daniel,
Only 6 degrees below??........that MUST be global warming!
Here in Sydney, after a hot Spring, we are having a cool start to Summer.

Of course Doug and Daniel are correct and perfect azimuth is great to achieve.
I have never had a visual discrepancy of 'several degrees' with the DaVinci and the effect is simply manifested in a 1-1.5 dB attenuation in the right channel of my speaker which I accommodate with the balance control.

Having said that, it may simply be my preamp at fault because the correction seems to suit ALL my cartridges and all my other arms?

In other words.....ignore my previous comments and check your DaVinci as other posters suggest.

Psag,
Another thought occurred to me.
The DaVinci VTA Tower is elevated by a threaded rod operated from the top of the pivot housing.
Once you are happy with the VTA alignment, you must lock the base clamp in and then RETRACT the adjustable threaded rod so that it is no longer bearing on the base plate. In other words, the VTA Tower is held solely by the base clamp and NOT also resting on the elevating rod.
If you still have a problem with the level of the headshell after this, Peter Brem and Jolanda will certainly help you.