One of my best sounding carts is out of balance by 2db when tested with the first track of my "The Ultimate Analogue test LP". I find it extremely annoying. I do listen quite often with cans where it becomes very obvious. If I use my master recorder as a headphone amp, I can correct this with the balance control. But, it does make me long for a phono pre with a balance pot; insanely useful tool for unrepentent perfectionists, lol. My pre amp does not have balance adjustment either. My SAE power amp had independent channel controls on the front so very easy to make adjustments. The Parasound has them on the back; also not convenient. Right at the source, on the phono pre would be perfect.