Do I have a "balance" problem?


My system is in a dedicated room, 13 x 12.5 x 8.5, with one chair centered between the speakers. The speakers are several feet away from the front and side walls. I've treated the room, including absorption panels to deal with first reflections. Here's my issue: to get proper L/R imaging, I have to set the balance control in favor of the right channel somewhere between (depending on the recording) 1:00 and 2:30 on the dial. My system has always been this way and the issue is consistent with both LP and CD playback. I recently auditioned three line stages and each one required the balance control set to the right. By way of "troubleshooting," I've switched tubes, cleaned all contacts, and systematically switched L/R cables on each pair of interconnects one at a time. Nothing changes. There is no degradation of sound in the right channel (at least to my ears) and when the balance is set properly the music sounds great. But I just don't understand why the balance control needs to be set so far to the right. Does anyone else out there have a similar situation? Is there something "wrong" with my system? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
crazee01
Yeah, probably your hearing if you've done everything suggested. I went into a depression after my hearing was shot in my left ear (someone blew a kazoo into my ear at a bar at point blank range)...I use a digital EQ to "fix" it, but listening will never be the same. Good luck, because it's a real pain in the ass.
Thanks to all for your responses. I have checked everything up to the amp connection, but will now check amp, speaker cables and speakers themselves, including placement. The hearing loss possibility is depressing, but I will enlist my kids to listen and see if they hear things differently. Or maybe I should just not worry about it and enjoy the music?!
I had a similar issue. For me, the problem was with speaker placement. The speakers were equal distant to my chair, within a quarter inch. However, one speaker was slightly further from the back wall and the toe-in was slightly different than the other speaker, perhaps off by just a couple of degrees. I used a laser measure to realign the speakers and all is well now.
Thanks Thaluza. My speakers have not been placed with such precise measurements. I will pick up a laser measure and see what I can do.