2. analog
  3. 1223845095

Walker Vortex Vacuum Wand for VPI

Hello all,
From a thread over on the Asylum, I noted Walker has introduced an Arm Wand for VPI RCMs.
After reading it's description at Elusive Disc, I can't help but think that this Delrin Wand, with no protective strips, coming in contact with the vinyl, no matter how one adjusts the Wand Tower, will be "kind" to the vinyl?

The other item included with the Wand, is two little O-rings, placed on Spindle, said to keep the record from touching the Mat. Wouldn't a rubber washer serve the same purpose?

Perhaps too new to hear other's opinions? I like the idea of never needing to worry about velvet strips going bad, less chance of cross-contamination, etc, but just cannot seem to get past the idea of the Delrin contacting Vinyl? Mark
markd51
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,430 posts
 
Madfloyd, try moving the stop ring higher up on the tower to allow the tube to pull all the way down onto the record.
Another new user I've been emailing with was having a similar problem to your first post (not the screeching, which I don't have either) because he was trying to use the stop ring to limit the tower to what he believed was "just the right height." Once he gave up on that idea and moved the stop ring higher, he started getting the good results that I'm getting here. Good luck, keep experimenting. The results when you get it right are worth the effort.
.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
...I get a screeching sound, sort of like a cross between a children's party horn and an elephant.
Sounds like most of the horn speakers I heard at RMAF. You may be onto something!
madfloyd
411 posts
 
LoL...
elinor's avatar
elinor
271 posts
 
You've got that right Doug! My feelings exactly .Good meeting you at the reception!
decibelcat
30 posts
 
So before I subjected my LP collection to a new device such as this, I'd really like to see some electron microscopy on a new LP, and after various numbers of cleaning cycles with the Vortex to determine if the landings or top edge of the groove walls were at all distorted.

Since the stylus normally touches halfway down the groove, what is happening at the surface of the record should not be of much consequence.
More to discover