Clearaudio azimuth optimizer User manual

User manual
Bedienungsanleitung
© clearaudio electronic GmbH, 2022-12 Made in Germany
azimuth optimizer
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User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Page / Seite 2 © clearaudio electronic GmbH, 2022-12
User manual.................................................. 2 - 11
Bedienungsanleitung .................................... 12 - 21
Dear Clearaudio customer,
You have purchased a truly high-end-product made by Clearaudio electronic - Germany.
These operating instructions provide valuable advice for the correct use of the
azimuth optimizer .
Thank you for choosing a Clearaudio product.
We wish you a lot of pleasure with your azimuth optimizer.
Your Clearaudio electronic GmbH

User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Made in Germany Page / Seite 3
Safety instructions
1. General information
Check the device for visible damage before using it for the rst time.
If the device is damaged, it should not be connected to the mains.
Also, never connect the device if it has been dropped or gotten wet, contact your dealer to have the
device inspected.
Never expose the device to rain or moisture.
Never touch the power cord of the device with wet hands.
For your own safety, regular visual inspections of any defective insulation on the connection cable
are also recommended. A damaged cable should be replaced immediately by a specialist!
Never pull on the power cable to unplug the device, but directly on the plug!
The inside of the device is maintenance-free, never open the housing or try to repair the device
yourself. This can also lead to loss of warranty.
If you do not operate the device for a longer period of time, we recommend disconnecting the
power supply from the mains.
Not suitable for children! Scope of delivery may contain small parts that can be swallowed.
2. Intended use
The
azimuth optimizer is a measuring device for cartridge adjustment with an integrated phono
preamplier to amplify the signal of the phono cartridge.
The intended use of the azimuth optimizer in accordance with the information provided in the user
manual only.
The power supply may only be operated with maximum permissible connection values according to
the technical data. Any other use or modication of this product is not intended.
3. Location of installation
The device should only be set up on leveled surfaces.
Avoid location with direct sunlight, temperature uctuations and high humidity. Likewise, avoid
placing electronic devices near heaters, heat lamps, or other devices that produce heat.
The device is designed for operation in heated rooms.
Never block the ventilation slots or cover the device with a cloth or similar.
No objects with an open ame may be placed on the device (burning candles or similar).

User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Page / Seite 4 © clearaudio electronic GmbH, 2022-12
Phonostages provide a very high level of amplication, to address the fact that the electrical signal
generated by a phono cartridge is extremely low. As a result, phonostages are extremely sensitive,
which leads to the potential problem that high-frequency interference may also be amplied to
a point at which it becomes noticeable. Unfortunately it is not possible to completely protect the
sensitive phonostage circuitry from this interference without degrading its high delity performance.
Therefore care must be taken to position the phonostage away from sources of high frequency
interferences such as mobile phones, modems and powerline communication systems (PLC) in
which data is sent over the mains power network.
4. Overload
The product is designed to comply with all necessary safety regulations, however you should not
leave the device unattended under extreme loads.
5. Maintenance
Only use a soft cloth with a smooth surface for cleaning. Never use agressive cleaning detergent.
6. Health information
Permanently high volume can lead to various types of hearing damage. Use high volume responsibly!
7. Service
During the gurantee period, the azimuth optimizer may only be repaired by the manufacturer,
otherweise the warranty will become void.
All Clearaudio products should only be serviced by specialist retailer.
If despite the high production standard, a repair is necessary, the azimuth optimizer must be sent
to Clearaudio through your dealer.
8. Transport
Always us the original packaging when transporting the Clearaudio azimuth optimizer .
Be sure to pack the device exactly as it was shipped.
Safe transport is only guaranteed in the original packaging.
When packing, proceed in reverse as described for assembly.
9. Disposal
Do not dispose this product together with other waste.
WEEE Reg. No.: DE26004446
10. CE Marking
This electronic product corresponds to the applicable guidelines for obtaining the CE mark.

User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Made in Germany Page / Seite 5
Contents
1. List of components ............................................6
2. Functional description .......................................7
3. Operating elements...........................................8
4. Measurement operation ....................................9 - 10
5. Troubleshooting.................................................10
 6.Technicalspecication ......................................11
Warranty information............................................22 - 23

User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Page / Seite 6 © clearaudio electronic GmbH, 2022-12
1. List of components
The Clearaudio azimuth optimizer has left our factory in safe packing that has been specially
designed for this product. We recommend you store this original packing and to use this packing in
case of any transportation. Please check if the parts listed below have been enclosed:
1.
azimuth optimizer unit 4. Clearaudio azimuth optimizer test
record
2. Power supply 5. User manual
3. Power supply adaptors (1x US, 1x
UK, 1 Europe) 6. Warranty & Registration Card

User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Made in Germany Page / Seite 7
2. Functional description
The Azimuth (the vertical position of the cartridge‘s diamond) is the main inuence on channel
balance, the frequency response and the cross talk between both channels of your cartridge.
Optical control of the azimuth adjustment is not sucient nor precise enough to ensure accurate
adjustment of the cartridge’s azimuth. The exact azimuth can only be determined when using
an adequate measuring instrument like Clearaudio`s azimuth optimizer. The azimuth optimizer
measures the cross-talk from the left to the right channel and vice versa. The ideal cartridge position
is when the azimuth has been adjusted accurately so that both measurement results are identical.
Additionally, you can measure the output voltage of your cartridge by using the operation mode
« Level » To use this operation mode it is necessary to set the input sensitivity to the MM-mode!
Further more there is a High-End phono-pre-amplier built in as well, so that you are able to check
the sonical result of the correct adjustment in your music reproduction system.
An integrated head-phone amplier makes mobile use of the azimuth optimizer possible!
All headphones with an impedance between 100 ohms and 600 ohms can be used.
The Clearaudio azimuth optimizer test record (Art. No.: LPT Azimuth 080108) is necessary to
perform the measurements and is included with your Optimizer.
For measurement, the following tracks of the azimuth optimizer test record are required:
Track 1 = Signal left channel 1kHz 0dB = 10cm/s (Peak)
Track 2 = Signal right channel 1kHz 0dB = 10cm/s (Peak)
…
Track 19 = Signal left channel 1kHz 0dB = 10cm/s (Peak)
Track 20 = Signal right channel 1kHz 0dB = 10cm/s (Peak)
Connections at the back panel:
INPUT LEFT INPUT RIGHT
POWER SUPPLY
DC 24 VOLT
OUTPUT LEFT OUTPUT RIGHT
GROUND
INPUT LEFT; INPUT RIGHT:
Connect with the tonearm of the
record player
OUTPUTLEFT;OUTPUTRIGHT:
Connect with the preamplier
GROUND:
Connect the grounding cable of
the tonearm
POWER SUPPLY:
Connect the power supply (24V
type:FW75550/24)

User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Page / Seite 8 © clearaudio electronic GmbH, 2022-12
Button MM/MC:
Switches the input sensitivity / amplication.
Position MM = 40dB,
Position MC = 60dB
Input impedance/Capacity:
MM = 47kOhm/220pF
MC = 400Ohm/220pF,
(the input impedance is adjusted
automatically).
Button L/R:
Switches to the signal-carrying channel of
the test-record
Button Crosstalk:
Activates the operation mode „Crosstalk“
Button „Level“:
Pushing the button ‘Level’ will in
combination with the test-record show the
output voltage of your cartridge in the
display in mV.
Pushing both buttons ‘Level’ and
‘Crosstalk’ simultaneously, the main
operation mode switches between
“Phono” and “Measurement”.
In the measurement-operation mode the
LED “Azimuth” glows blue
MM / MC L / R CROSSTALK / dB LEVEL / mV
MC
MM
R
LCT PHONO
AZIMUTH
R
R
L
L
AZIMUTH
azimuth optimizer
0dB-adjustment
headphone-volume control
3. Operating elements

User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Made in Germany Page / Seite 9
4. Measurement operation
Important note!
Be sure that the volume control of your amplier(s) is (are) set to zero-level while
doing any connections to the azimuth optimizer unit. While using the azimuth optimizer
in a system as a phono-stage, never switch between MM/MC - mode, damage to your
loudspeakers could occur!
1. Attach the adequate primary adaptor onto the power supply
2. Connect the power supply to the appropriate jack on the back-panel of the azimuth optimizer
3. Connect the power supply to the mains socket, the azimuth optimizer automatically sets into
operation mode MM and Phono. Now connect the tonearm cable with the azimuth optimizer
and for playback with the music reproduction system.
4. Choose the relevant operation mode according to your cartridge type: MM or MC. You can now
start with the measurement once all connections have been done correctly.
5. Place the Clearaudio azimuth optimizer test record’ (scope of delivery) onto the turntable
platter with side 1 facing up.
Track1-20of thetestrecordcanbeusedtoadjustandverifythe azimuthofthecartridge:
Track 1 = Signal left channel 1kHz 0dB = 8cm/s (peak)
Track 2 = Signal right channel 1kHz 0dB = 8cm/s (peak)
1). Start your measurement with the left channel (Track 1). Therefore choose the operation mode
“L” by pushing the button “L/R”.
Calibrate the value shown in the display to 0dB by using the control unit in the front panel.
When you now push and hold the „Crosstalk“- button the LED ‘CT’ will glow and the channel
mode switches to ‘R’ - channel. The display will now show the value of the cross talk in dB.
Keep this value in mind and repeat the measurement in the same way with the right channel (Track
2). Now compare both measurement values with each other. When both values are equal the azimuth
adjustment is accurate. If the values dier from each other you need to re-adjust the azimuth of
your cartridge according to the table below and repeat the measurement until both values are equal.
Before measuring the cross-talk it is important to adjust the signal-carrying channel to
0dB!

User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Page / Seite 10 © clearaudio electronic GmbH, 2022-12
5. Troubleshooting
If you have a problem with your azimuth optimizer , rst check the possible causes to rule out
incorrect operation.
If the error persists, please contact your dealer!
Never try to open the device and/or repair it yourself, this will void the warranty!
Error Cause Measure
Device does not work Is the power cord plugged in and the power
switch turned on? Check the connection.
No sound or
low volume?
Did you choose the right input? Check the connections of your hi
components.
Is the volume set too low? Check the volume setting of your device.
The connection cables are not properly
connected. Check the tonearm and cartridge connections due the their respective user
manual.
Devices with a headphone output only:
Are the headphones still plugged in when
you are trying to play music through the
speakers?
Disconnect the headphones.
Hum or
noise
The ground cable is not connected or is
faulty. Connect the grounding cable from the turntable/tonearm to the respective
grounding connection on the back of
the device. If there are several ground
connections, interrupt them one after the
other and check the sound quality again.
The device should not be operated in the
vicinity of high-frequency devices such as
mobile phones or modems or on power
supply systems used for data trac (PLC).
Make sure there is a minimum distance of
30cm between the power supply units of
any type and the MC preamplier or phono
preamplier. Powerlan adapters should not
be operated on the same socket as the
phono preamplier.
Follow these advises to adjust the azimuth:
measurement Left channel (display) Right channel (display) Direction of cartridge-
rotation
L – R (Track 1) 0 -30dB Azimuth is O.K.
R – L (Track 2) -30dB 0
L – R 0 -35dB Rotate cartridge
clockwise
R - L -25dB 0
L - R 0 -25dB Rotate cartridge
counter clockwise
R - L -35dB 0
Note:
The measurement values in the table are only used as examples and can be dierent depending on
the type of cartridge.