That is not the best way to set azimuth, what if the surface your turntable is on is crooked? Using a level to set azimuth is good for having the stylus "square to the world", but the real focus is the platter. The stylus needs to be referenced to this surface, not the worlds gravitational forces. Of course if both are totally dialed in, then that's good, but I doubt that that ever happens. A better way is to place an old record on the platter and use a steel ruler on its side and use that surface as a reference for setting the azimuth. This way, there is a relationship between platter and stylus.
Wayner
YIKES! I put my reply inside the Wayner quote box. Wayne didn't say this, I did in reply to Wayne. Sorry, Wayne.
My explanation left a lot to be desired. The way I did it with a little bubble level was with tracking force set way back, no antiskate, arm cued down, stylus on a record near a middle groove with the motor off. It worked quite well on an SME arm, but probably wouldn't on a unipivot.
