Need help and advice on a VPI 3D arm


I was wondering if anyone else has had this issue with the new 3D arm? I bought a new Prime table 4 months ago to try the new 3D arm I also have a Classic stainless steel arm to load another cart on to compare the two back and fourth, last night I was going to switch the cartridges on the two arms and could not set the azimuth on the 3D arm, to get the azimuth right I had to tilt the drop counter weight plus the Soundsmith intuitive way off of center and it is causing the side weights to rub against the adjustment column and is very tilted, after walking away from the setup 3 times I pulled the arm, pulled the side weights off so it would sit square on a level marble counter top and set it flat on the surface and eyeballed it, this thing has lost its shape, the barrel of the arm has a gradual bend downward and the cartridge shell portion of the arm is rolled down and in. This is really throwing off the geometry of the cart in the arm. I placed the stainless steel arm out in the same way and its barrel is perfectly straight and it's head shell is straight as well, it's only issue is that it is slightly off on the azimuth but that can be adjusted out easily. The fact that the barrel and the headshell on the 3D arm is so far off I certainly can not trust my setup to be accurate. I store whichever arm is not being used in a VPI holding case for the 10 inch arms and it has not been dropped or subjected to any drastic temperature changes. I am going to call VPI on Monday but if this is an issue with these arm wands I certainly don't want another one. Let me also add that I believe that this has been a gradual demise of the arm and that I do love the arms sonic signature so would hope VPI has an answer. Tooblue
tooblue
THE METAL FINGER LIFT WAS ADDED WHEN ISSUES AROSE WITH THE MOLDED IN ONE - IT WOULD SNAP OFF.  YOU HAVE THE UP TO DATE ARM.
@tooblue , does your 3D arm have the finger lift molded to the tonearm?

I ask because I just received a VPI Prime from a VPI dealer (demo), and I noticed that the 3D arm I received did not look like the same arm as I see on the internet in many photos of the 3D arm. Mine has a separate metal clip that you attach to the headshell when you mount the cartridge to use as a finger-lift. The ones I've seen on the internet have the finger-lift molded to the arm as one piece, using the same material as the arm itself.

I contacted the VPI dealer and VPI about this. The VPI dealer said that he had a problem with the original arm, sent it back to VPI and that my arm was the new arm that VPI sent him.
VPI said that the one piece arm, that is in all the photos on the internet, was the 2014 version of the 3D arm, and that the version with the separate metal finger-lift clip is the 2015-2016 version of the 3D arm.

I didn't get anymore detail from my dealer about exactly what problem he was having with the older arm though. VPI made no mention of any problems, or why they changed the design.
The truth is I can set these arms up with my eyes closed, I use a Mint Best Protractor made for the table/arm combo, then use index cards for azimuth and VTA and after that adjust by ear to dial in the last degree, but the fact remains if you have a saggy arm tube and a headshell that is out of wac all the tools and adjustments are not going to get you where you want to be. I have got a hold of VPI and am sending the arm wand back for inspection and replacement. But I have to say that I am a bit Leary and would really like to know the reason for the issue, don't want to get up the road and out of warranty and see this issue again. I own the stainless steel Classic 10.5 arm wand and love it also, it brings a bit of a livelier presentation to the mix versus the 3D arm and after going back and fourth decided to mount my DRY XV1s in the SS arm and my XYZ Universe in the 3D arm.
THE 3D ARM ON MY ARIES 3 WS MY FIRST UNIPIVOT ARM.  IT TOOK ME A NUMBER OF TRIES TO GET THE ARM SET UP CLOSE TO OPTIMUM.  I THEN USED A FEICKERT GAUGE AND A FOZGOMETER TO DIAL IT IN.  EVEN WITH THE CORRECT TOOLS IT TAKES TIME AND PATIENCE.  VPI WILL RIGHT THE WRONG.  i BELEIVE THEY HAD ISSUES WITH EARLY ON 3D ARMS DISTORTING THEIR SHAPE.
Actually the side weights screw on and off  with no problem, they screw on so you can adjust the azimuth with them.
When you get the 3D repaired, you will be amazed at how much better it is than the 10.5.....  Let VPI do the repair...they are the only ones to do it correctly.  Those side weights should never come off...
+1. Send it back and get a replacement if necessary. It is defective from the sound of it. VPI will not do you wrong.
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If something is wrong allow them to fix it.  They are good people who are more than willing to support their products.